Nicolas Levi is a senior researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He is the author of eight books related to North Korea and a consultant on Korean issues for international organizations. You can follow him on Twitter.
Staff at overseas missions enjoy more freedom than compatriots back home but must turn to illicit activities to survive
Outside educators have helped fill knowledge gaps and could again provide avenue for engagement once DPRK reopens
Kim Il Sung praised Chondoism as a patriotic and native faith, allowing it to flourish relative to other religions
DPRK’s waste management practices have been criticized as ‘atrocious,’ but Pyongyang has engaged on the issue before
City of Lights has long held dark appeal for DPRK nobility seeking entertainment or just refuge from Pyongyang intrigue
Despite diplomatic non-recognition, the two states have long found ways to cooperate in business and cultural exchanges
Kim Pyong Il was once viewed as a potential successor, but the regime has undermined any claim he might have to power
DPRK sent thousands of children to the country after the Korean War in a move that has shaped bilateral ties to this day
Former communist bloc state maintains ties with DPRK, but EU membership and bilateral disputes complicate cooperation
So far no sign of a purge of Jang’s network or loss of other positions
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