James Fretwell | NK News
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December 25, 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'

To purge, or not to purge: Why Kim Jong Un forgives some North Korean officials

To purge, or not to purge: Why Kim Jong Un forgives some North Korean officials

Experts say leader can be lenient toward mistakes by those he trusts, but ruthless when they cross political red lines

To purge, or not to purge: Why Kim Jong Un forgives some North Korean officials
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 28, 2023
Why North Korea could send US soldier Travis King to Russia or China

Why North Korea could send US soldier Travis King to Russia or China

King reportedly sought refuge in DPRK or third country, and experts say regime may view him as too much trouble to keep

Why North Korea could send US soldier Travis King to Russia or China
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 22, 2023
Why China isn’t too worried about Kim Jong Un’s trip to cozy up to Russia
NK PRO

Why China isn’t too worried about Kim Jong Un’s trip to cozy up to Russia

Experts say Beijing welcomes cooperation that increases North Korean stability, but also doesn’t want to provoke US

Why China isn’t too worried about Kim Jong Un’s trip to cozy up to Russia
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 22, 2023
Bending the rules: How Russia could justify helping North Korea’s space program
NK PRO

Bending the rules: How Russia could justify helping North Korea’s space program

Moscow may try to reinterpret UN sanctions to make good on offer of aid, though experts say their cooperation has limits

Bending the rules: How Russia could justify helping North Korea’s space program
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 14, 2023
When Putin met the Kims: 20 years of armored trains and opulence

When Putin met the Kims: 20 years of armored trains and opulence

A look at leaders’ summits as reports swirl of upcoming meeting between Russian president and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

When Putin met the Kims: 20 years of armored trains and opulence
James Fretwell
James Fretwell September 7, 2023
Bill Richardson, governor who helped free Americans from North Korea, dies at 75

Bill Richardson, governor who helped free Americans from North Korea, dies at 75

‘Undersecretary for thugs’ traveled to DPRK and other authoritarian countries to advocate for detained citizens

Bill Richardson, governor who helped free Americans from North Korea, dies at 75
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll | James Fretwell September 4, 2023
If Travis King hoped to escape racism in North Korea, he went to the wrong place

If Travis King hoped to escape racism in North Korea, he went to the wrong place

DPRK opportunistically criticizes American racism but insists on ethnic purity to point of carrying out forced abortions

If Travis King hoped to escape racism in North Korea, he went to the wrong place
James Fretwell
James Fretwell August 18, 2023
North Korea breaks its silence on Travis King, but leaves his fate up in the air

North Korea breaks its silence on Travis King, but leaves his fate up in the air

DPRK uses American soldier’s case to take swipe at US, while suggesting it may wash its hands of ‘intruder’ in the end

North Korea breaks its silence on Travis King, but leaves his fate up in the air
James Fretwell
James Fretwell August 16, 2023
Overseas North Koreans face lengthy reeducation when borders open, defectors say

Overseas North Koreans face lengthy reeducation when borders open, defectors say

Pyongyang will be extremely suspicious of those who have lived abroad for years during pandemic, escapees tell NK News

Overseas North Koreans face lengthy reeducation when borders open, defectors say
James Fretwell
James Fretwell August 15, 2023
Long before Travis King, Panmunjom tours had a history of death and defections

Long before Travis King, Panmunjom tours had a history of death and defections

Both North Korea and UN Command use tours to promote their version of history, but sometimes things don’t go to plan

Long before Travis King, Panmunjom tours had a history of death and defections
James Fretwell
James Fretwell August 10, 2023
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