About the author
More articles by 'Andrei Lankov'
Four North Koreans’ great Bulgarian escape
For 4 exchange students in Eastern Europe, de-Stalinization was not just an intellectual challenge
Striking black gold: How North Koreans became coal entrepreneurs
Coal is relatively easy to produce, so business-state partnerships have turned profits
China’s position on North Korea hasn’t changed
Despite sanctions support Beijing’s long-term interests dictate a soft approach
Does North Korea have a place in the South’s new nationalism?
Book documents new sentiment among South Koreans, defining nation more along civic than ethnic lines
‘Owning’ a home in North Korea
Residency rights and restrictions on moving means one all but owns the place
Kim Il Sung and the communist rumor mill
How the Soviets tried to win the North Korean leader’s support by hurting his feelings
North Koreans making Middle Eastern money
Returnees cite not only greater profit, but intoxicating experience of life abroad
Who works in North Korea’s private sector?
Not everyone in private enterprise gets rich, or even has basic legal protections
What good is North Korea’s subway system?
Opulent, palatial subway system has few stops, but at least it doubles as a bomb shelter
North Korea’s bike path
Sometimes illegal, sometimes encouraged, the North has an unusual relationship with bicycles
