January saw the North Korean leadership break from tradition to some degree: previous years have seen Kim Jong Un use the first month of the year to focus on economic activities or, as was the case last year, to lay low and prepare for the busy months ahead.

This year, however, January was dominated by an surprise fourth summit between Kim and the Chinese President Xi Jinping and, against the backdrop of growing diplomatic momentum towards a second U.S.-DPRK summit, a New Year’s Address and a meeting with his top negotiators.  NK Pro analysis