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More articles by 'Andrei Lankov'
Denuclearization should not be a prerequisite for engagement with North Korea
The incoming government in Seoul may see clearly how the DPRK operates, but stated policies are useless – even dangerous
April 27, 2022
Why North Korea’s markets will survive state crackdowns on private commerce
Marketplaces have persisted in DPRK despite extreme suspicion from the state, which tolerates them as a necessary evil
April 20, 2022
How North Korea tried and failed to boost consumption of the other white meat
The regime heralded a future of ‘silk clothes’ and ‘meat soup’ through mass pig farms, a vision that never came to pass
April 12, 2022
The war in Ukraine changes everything — including the future of North Korea
Russia's invasion is the latest event to increase chance Kim Jong Un regime survives and becomes more aggressive
April 4, 2022
Why North Korea introduced its own version of alternative civilian service
The DPRK’s shock detachments realize a dream of early communist leaders and provide a path to social advancement
March 25, 2022
Despite mixed legacy, Moon Jae-in played key role to avert war with North Korea
Failures of the last few years shouldn’t overshadow the outgoing president’s deft diplomacy in the days of fire and fury
March 18, 2022
How a North Korean businessman’s high-rise dreams came crashing down
A defector’s memoir illuminates how private entrepreneurs, relying on bribery, drove a construction boom in Pyongyang
February 25, 2022
What’s in it for the working man? Why North Koreans show up for low-wage jobs
State-assigned jobs rarely pay a livable salary, but there are other benefits for reporting to one’s workplace
February 16, 2022
A North Korean assassination gone wrong and its continuing ripple effects
The attempt to take out former ROK leader Park Chung-hee killed his wife instead and drove his daughter into politics
February 2, 2022
Why North Korea won’t act on its threat to launch long-range missiles — yet
Pyongyang hopes to pressure the US to make concessions, but without angering its ally China
January 21, 2022
