Leadership | NK News
NK News Logo
February 07, 2025

Leadership

Information related to North Korea’s leadership and leadership structures

Kim Jong Un absent as officials talk military, science plans at Party Congress

Kim Jong Un absent as officials talk military, science plans at Party Congress

Leaders ironed out finer details about future agriculture, science, defense capabilities and industry plans

Kim Jong Un absent as officials talk military, science plans at Party Congress
Kelly Kasulis
Kelly Kasulis | Won-Gi Jung January 11, 2021
Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulates Kim Jong Un on his big promotion

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulates Kim Jong Un on his big promotion

Xi vowed to continuously "preserve, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations," Chinese state media reported

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulates Kim Jong Un on his big promotion
Kelly Kasulis
Kelly Kasulis January 11, 2021
So far, North Korea’s new economic plan is full of bad signs
NK PRO

So far, North Korea’s new economic plan is full of bad signs

State media shared vague details about Party Congress economic reforms that suggest more state control on DPRK markets

So far, North Korea’s new economic plan is full of bad signs
Peter Ward
Peter Ward January 11, 2021
Kim Yo Jong demoted: Why the North Korean leader’s sister is down, but not out

Kim Yo Jong demoted: Why the North Korean leader’s sister is down, but not out

Kim family members have been demoted in the past, only to resurface a few years later

Kim Yo Jong demoted: Why the North Korean leader’s sister is down, but not out
Fyodor Tertitskiy
Fyodor Tertitskiy January 11, 2021
Kim Jong Un named general secretary — a title reserved for his late father

Kim Jong Un named general secretary — a title reserved for his late father

Kim Jong Un promoted to a higher Workers' Party of Korea rank that was otherwise posthumously reserved for Kim Jong Il

Kim Jong Un named general secretary — a title reserved for his late father
Won-Gi Jung
Won-Gi Jung January 10, 2021
Armored vehicles and troops spotted going towards Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square

Armored vehicles and troops spotted going towards Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square

Kim Il Sung Square is also lit up on a scale similar to the Oct. 10, 2020 military parade, a source tells NK News

Armored vehicles and troops spotted going towards Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll January 10, 2021
North Korea to hold a Party Congress every five years

North Korea to hold a Party Congress every five years

On day five of the latest Party Congress, North Korea revamped party rules and boasted about increased cash reserves

North Korea to hold a Party Congress every five years
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko | Won-Gi Jung January 9, 2021
North Korea calls the US its ‘biggest enemy’ and vows to keep developing nukes

North Korea calls the US its ‘biggest enemy’ and vows to keep developing nukes

At Eighth Party Congress, Kim Jong Un also vows not to use nuclear weapons unless DPRK sovereignty is threatened

North Korea calls the US its ‘biggest enemy’ and vows to keep developing nukes
Jeongmin Kim
Jeongmin Kim | Kelly Kasulis January 8, 2021
Full list: Who’s sitting next to Kim Jong Un at the Eighth Party Congress?
NK PRO

Full list: Who’s sitting next to Kim Jong Un at the Eighth Party Congress?

Seating arrangements tell a greater story about North Korean political ranks and where key figures are headed

Full list: Who’s sitting next to Kim Jong Un at the Eighth Party Congress?
Jeongmin Kim
Jeongmin Kim January 8, 2021
Mystery man: Kim Hyong Sik’s rise to head of the DPRK’s new judicial department
NK PRO

Mystery man: Kim Hyong Sik’s rise to head of the DPRK’s new judicial department

The unknown official’s promotion and creation of new department suggest more emphasis on rule by law in North Korea

Mystery man: Kim Hyong Sik’s rise to head of the DPRK’s new judicial department
Martin Weiser
Martin Weiser January 8, 2021