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December 26, 2024

About the author

James Fretwell

James Fretwell

James Fretwell is a writer based in Seoul, South Korea. He was an analyst at NK News, and he has often discussed the two Koreas in interviews on the BBC, ABC News Australia, Deutsche Welle and elsewhere.

More articles by 'James Fretwell'

North Korea wants Biden’s attention. The best way to get it: ballistic missiles.

North Korea wants Biden’s attention. The best way to get it: ballistic missiles.

Kim Jong Un fired two short-range ballistic missiles to get on the U.S.’ agenda before a key policy review is finished

North Korea wants Biden’s attention. The best way to get it: ballistic missiles.
James Fretwell
James Fretwell March 25, 2021
Kim and Moon are the biggest losers of Blinken’s Asia visit
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Kim and Moon are the biggest losers of Blinken’s Asia visit

The Biden administration is not offering Pyongyang the flexibility that both North and South Korea likely hoped for

Kim and Moon are the biggest losers of Blinken’s Asia visit
James Fretwell
James Fretwell March 19, 2021
Why Kim Yo Jong will complain about US-ROK military drills until the end of time
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Why Kim Yo Jong will complain about US-ROK military drills until the end of time

Military exercises have little impact on talks with North Korea, regardless of angry words from Kim Jong Un’s sister

Why Kim Yo Jong will complain about US-ROK military drills until the end of time
James Fretwell
James Fretwell March 17, 2021
Japan’s back in the North Korea game, but it faces nearly impossible challenges
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Japan’s back in the North Korea game, but it faces nearly impossible challenges

North Korea’s long-range nuclear threat could overshadow Japan’s other security priorities

Japan’s back in the North Korea game, but it faces nearly impossible challenges
James Fretwell
James Fretwell February 23, 2021
Seven decades of friendship and envy: North Korea’s relations with Vietnam

Seven decades of friendship and envy: North Korea’s relations with Vietnam

Vietnam achieved what the Kim regime never could: national reunification and a booming economy

Seven decades of friendship and envy: North Korea’s relations with Vietnam
James Fretwell
James Fretwell February 1, 2021
New US State Department pick spells doom for Moon’s North Korea policies
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New US State Department pick spells doom for Moon’s North Korea policies

Jung H. Pak supports using maximum pressure rather than showy summits in order to force Kim into giving up his nukes

New US State Department pick spells doom for Moon’s North Korea policies
James Fretwell
James Fretwell January 28, 2021
Why Seoul’s foreign minister nominee won’t be able to score Moon more summits
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Why Seoul’s foreign minister nominee won’t be able to score Moon more summits

Chung Eui-yong helped fix 2018 and 2019's summits, but COVID-19 and a reluctant Biden will make more talks difficult

Why Seoul’s foreign minister nominee won’t be able to score Moon more summits
James Fretwell
James Fretwell January 22, 2021
A newly-declassified document underscores Trump’s North Korea failures
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A newly-declassified document underscores Trump’s North Korea failures

The U.S. wanted to convince North Korea that it doesn’t need nukes, but Kim is far from persuaded

A newly-declassified document underscores Trump’s North Korea failures
James Fretwell
James Fretwell January 15, 2021
Where Biden’s top foreign policy picks stand on North Korea
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Where Biden’s top foreign policy picks stand on North Korea

Antony Blinken is chosen as secretary of state, while Jake Sullivan is Biden's pick for national security adviser

Where Biden’s top foreign policy picks stand on North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell November 24, 2020
10 years ago, North Korea enraged the South with deadly border island attack

10 years ago, North Korea enraged the South with deadly border island attack

North Korea’s shelling of Yeonpyeong Island killed two civilians, sparking tensions along the inter-Korean sea border

10 years ago, North Korea enraged the South with deadly border island attack
James Fretwell
James Fretwell November 20, 2020