James Fretwell | NK News
July 16, 2024

About the author

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'

70 years ago in freezing North Korea, China crushed US hopes of a war victory

70 years ago in freezing North Korea, China crushed US hopes of a war victory

Americans would not be spending Christmas in the States as planned, but in Korea fighting the cold and the Communists

70 years ago in freezing North Korea, China crushed US hopes of a war victory
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 23, 2020
Kim Jong Un’s teary-eyed speech shows North Korea is in a dire situation
NK PRO

Kim Jong Un’s teary-eyed speech shows North Korea is in a dire situation

The North Korean leader’s speech was more than an apology — it was an admission that the worse may have yet to come

Kim Jong Un’s teary-eyed speech shows North Korea is in a dire situation
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 22, 2020
Timeline: What Joe Biden has said about North Korea over the last 20 years

Timeline: What Joe Biden has said about North Korea over the last 20 years

The former vice president has advocated for US-DPRK talks, but he doesn’t want a Trumpian “photo op” if elected in 2020

Timeline: What Joe Biden has said about North Korea over the last 20 years
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 29, 2020
Hope is not lost: President Biden might actually make progress on North Korea
NK PRO

Hope is not lost: President Biden might actually make progress on North Korea

Many see Joe Biden only as “strategic patience.” But if elected, he may take things in an entirely different direction.

Hope is not lost: President Biden might actually make progress on North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 23, 2020
Why North Korea may be on the brink of another deadly ‘Arduous March’ famine

Why North Korea may be on the brink of another deadly ‘Arduous March’ famine

Sanctions, flooding, COVID-19 and other 2020 conditions look eerily similar to what caused the devastating 1990s famine

Why North Korea may be on the brink of another deadly ‘Arduous March’ famine
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 4, 2020
Pyongyang’s rapidly shrinking expat community: Risks and implications
NK PRO

Pyongyang’s rapidly shrinking expat community: Risks and implications

The loss of embassy and aid workers in the DPRK may lead to dark era of extreme isolation and limited information

Pyongyang’s rapidly shrinking expat community: Risks and implications
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll | James Fretwell August 25, 2020
75 years after liberation, are we slowly coming to terms with a divided Korea?

75 years after liberation, are we slowly coming to terms with a divided Korea?

Calls for a united homeland have become gradually quieter since liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945

75 years after liberation, are we slowly coming to terms with a divided Korea?
James Fretwell
James Fretwell August 14, 2020
How the atomic bombing of Hiroshima shaped North Korea’s fears for decades

How the atomic bombing of Hiroshima shaped North Korea’s fears for decades

North Korea sees the United States’ refusal to apologize as a sign that Washington might use nuclear weapons again

How the atomic bombing of Hiroshima shaped North Korea’s fears for decades
James Fretwell
James Fretwell August 5, 2020
Friends forever? The China-North Korea defense treaty turns 59

Friends forever? The China-North Korea defense treaty turns 59

The pact's anniversary means only one year until the two allies' defense commitments are due to be renewed

Friends forever? The China-North Korea defense treaty turns 59
James Fretwell
James Fretwell July 11, 2020
COVID-19 in North Korea: an overview of the current situation
NK PRO

COVID-19 in North Korea: an overview of the current situation

Pyongyang officially claims no infections within its territory, and has taken strict steps to stave off an outbreak

COVID-19 in North Korea: an overview of the current situation