Domestic Affairs
From politics to economics, from leadership succession to the introduction of fast food restaurants, there is a lot going on inside North Korea.
A New Emphasis on Operations Against South Korea?
During the past twenty years, North Korea’s intelligence and internal security community’s organization has undergone numerous changes, most designed to secure the power and position of Kim Jong Il and to deal with increasing levels of unrest and corruption within the civilian population and the military. Recent changes during 2009-2010—the [...]
North Korea: Changing but Stable
North Korea is not static and inflexible. Indeed, there tends to be a very dynamic picture once you look below the surface. Change is a constant but, as in almost any state or society, it brings about tension. However, there is little or no sign that current tensions, caused by changes in the distribution of power within the leaderships’ core [...]
Cultural Profiling: North Korean Comics
Heinz Insu Fenkl, a literature professor at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz, has done extensive study of North Korean comics. His research has been largely focused not only their use as propaganda, but of the cultural insights offered by the transparent rhetoric in that media as well. Our June updates will feature an [...]
Reform or Retrenchment: An Economist’s Perspective on Recent Events in North Korea
Politics and economics are deeply entwined in North Korea. Thus, interpretation of the intentions and implications of North Korean actions must be assessed through both lenses. As it tries to address economic development and security challenges, North Korea has to find a way to make internal changes that will yield results while maintaining [...]
