About the author
More articles by 'Thomas Schäfer'
NK PRO
Why North Korean hardliners will fight any return to the pre-pandemic status quo
Mixed signals on reopening point to ongoing efforts by some in regime to keep foreigners out, regardless of the costs
NK PRO
Biden, along with Tokyo and Seoul, should propose liaison offices to Pyongyang
A trilateral offer would show the allies' will for diplomacy and mark a departure from previous US policy
NK PRO
Why do so many people believe Kim Jong Un holds absolute power?
The evidence suggests he does not rule alone
NK PRO
What we lost with North Korea’s dwindled expat population: A diplomat’s account
Ambassador Thomas Schäfer recalls what he learned from his firsthand experiences in the DPRK
NK PRO
Why North Korea paradoxically does and does not want to boost its economy
Many carrots have been dangled in front of the DPRK, but leaders don’t want economic growth to ruin their political sway
NK PRO
North Korean moderates need their power back — or nuclear talks won’t succeed
Major political shifts in the DPRK leadership are derailing negotiations today
