Andrei Lankov is a Director at NK News and writes exclusively for the site as one of the world's leading authorities on North Korea. A graduate of Leningrad State University, he attended Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung University from 1984-5 - an experience you can read about here. In addition to his writing, he is also a Professor at Kookmin University.
Song Du-yul acted as an enthusiastic propagandist for the regime and likely held a prominent role in the bureaucracy
Shamans and fortune-tellers continue to operate in North Korea despite crackdowns and punishments
DPRK loggers earned exorbitant salaries for decades, and many North Koreans still seek to strike it rich abroad
The recent exodus of diplomats from Pyongyang underlines the DPRK’s long-standing suspicions toward foreigners
Chinese aid will keep regime afloat as DPRK shows little interest in a quick return to pre-pandemic life
Kim Jong Un appears to be having serious health problems, but contingency measures ensure the elite can survive a crisis
No mention of Kims, coolness toward unification and revival of communism offer guideposts for next several years
New first secretary position is likely preparation for death or long-term incapacitation of Kim Jong Un
A weapons factory worker in Kiev was one of Pyongyang’s great spy assets in the 1970s
Joe Biden unlikely to be convinced by Moon to reduce sanctions pressure on North Korea at upcoming summit
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