The first month of 2015 was altogether quite routine for North Korean leadership. January featured numerous significant military drills – to be expected during the country’s annual winter training – political events associated with the coming of the new year – such as Kim Jong Un’s annual New Year’s address and a visit to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – and field guidance to factories and other sites.

This month’s leadership analysis reviews the various military-related appearances of Kim Jong Un associated with the winter training cycle, recent leadership position changes and the current overall status of North