North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Ri Il Hwan, where you at?

Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Secretary Ri Il Hwan (Ri Il-hwan) has not appeared at public events or state media in about four weeks.  This is not necessarily a lengthy absence for a North Korean […]

Feb, 12

DID Cracks Down on Cadres

The 5 February edition of Rodong Sinmun has two editorials encouraging upright behavior and decrying corruption and abuse of power among North Korean officials and cadres.  The 30th meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea […]

Feb, 10

State media clarifies Ri Son Gwon Status

DPRK state media has identified Ri Son Gwon (Ri So’n-kwon) as a Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Central Committee Director.  During a 9 January banquet hosted for the student performing arts troupe representing Ch’ongryo’n (Chosen […]

Jan, 10

Plenary Personnel

North Korea made a series of personnel changes during the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) 11th plenary session, held December 23-December 27.  Although some analyses make far too much of the correlation between personnel and […]

Jan, 04

Kim Yo Jong’s Kids are Alright

The North Korean leadership gathered at Kim Il Sung Stadium in central Pyongyang for its fabulous New Year’s Eve concert.  Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-un) presided over the event with his Respected Daughter, Kim Ju […]

Jan, 01

No Kwang Chol Returns as Defense Minister

Gen. No Kwang Chol (No Kwang-ch’o’l) was appointed Minister of National Defense during the 11th session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] held 7-8 October (Monday and Tuesday).  He replaces Gen. Kang Sun Nam […]

Oct, 08

Kim Kyong Ok’s 85th

DPRK state media and the Party History Institute have released Volume 33 of a documentary film series on deceased core elite.  This series compiles short biographies on the careers of recently deceased North Korean officials.  […]

Oct, 06

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