Columns | NK News
July 16, 2024

Columns

Columns on the latest North Korea issues from analysts, academics and renowned experts. Views expressed by our columnists are exclusively the authors’ own.

How North Korea tried and failed to boost consumption of the other white meat
COLUMN

How North Korea tried and failed to boost consumption of the other white meat

The regime heralded a future of ‘silk clothes’ and ‘meat soup’ through mass pig farms, a vision that never came to pass

How North Korea tried and failed to boost consumption of the other white meat
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov April 12, 2022
The war in Ukraine changes everything — including the future of North Korea
COLUMN

The war in Ukraine changes everything — including the future of North Korea

Russia's invasion is the latest event to increase chance Kim Jong Un regime survives and becomes more aggressive

The war in Ukraine changes everything — including the future of North Korea
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov April 4, 2022
Why North Korea introduced its own version of alternative civilian service
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Why North Korea introduced its own version of alternative civilian service

The DPRK’s shock detachments realize a dream of early communist leaders and provide a path to social advancement

Why North Korea introduced its own version of alternative civilian service
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov March 25, 2022
Despite mixed legacy, Moon Jae-in played key role to avert war with North Korea
COLUMN

Despite mixed legacy, Moon Jae-in played key role to avert war with North Korea

Failures of the last few years shouldn’t overshadow the outgoing president’s deft diplomacy in the days of fire and fury

Despite mixed legacy, Moon Jae-in played key role to avert war with North Korea
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov March 18, 2022
How a North Korean businessman’s high-rise dreams came crashing down
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How a North Korean businessman’s high-rise dreams came crashing down

A defector’s memoir illuminates how private entrepreneurs, relying on bribery, drove a construction boom in Pyongyang

How a North Korean businessman’s high-rise dreams came crashing down
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov February 25, 2022
A North Korean assassination gone wrong and its continuing ripple effects
COLUMN

A North Korean assassination gone wrong and its continuing ripple effects

The attempt to take out former ROK leader Park Chung-hee killed his wife instead and drove his daughter into politics

A North Korean assassination gone wrong and its continuing ripple effects
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov February 2, 2022
Why North Korea won’t act on its threat to launch long-range missiles — yet
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Why North Korea won’t act on its threat to launch long-range missiles — yet

Pyongyang hopes to pressure the US to make concessions, but without angering its ally China

Why North Korea won’t act on its threat to launch long-range missiles — yet
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 21, 2022
Don’t believe the hype: An end-of-war declaration won’t change a thing
COLUMN

Don’t believe the hype: An end-of-war declaration won’t change a thing

Multiple inter-Korean agreements since the 1990s have promised breakthroughs but failed to deliver

Don’t believe the hype: An end-of-war declaration won’t change a thing
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 23, 2021
Enhanced border controls hurtle North Korea into a new information dark age
COLUMN

Enhanced border controls hurtle North Korea into a new information dark age

The COVID crisis has helped authorities justify harsher measures that will likely persist even after the pandemic ends

Enhanced border controls hurtle North Korea into a new information dark age
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 16, 2021
In Biden’s Washington, North Korea barely moves the needle
COLUMN

In Biden’s Washington, North Korea barely moves the needle

Strategic patience dominates the minds of the decision-makers, and this is not going to change any time soon

In Biden’s Washington, North Korea barely moves the needle
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov December 10, 2021
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