Kim Jong Il Kicks Off KPA Winter Training Cycle
DPRK media reports that Kim Jong Il supervised the “combined tactical exercises” of Korean People’s Army [KPA] large combined unit 630. The accounts of the military exercises came amid the DPRK … Continue reading
DPRK Ambassador to Cambodia Appointed
The Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium has appointed Hong Ki Chol the new DPRK’s new ambassador to Cambodia on 28 November. Hong has previously served as Consul General in Hong … Continue reading
Kim Jong Il Conducts KPA Field Inspections After “Sea of Fire” Statement
Kim Jong Il traveled to South Hwanghae Province and inspected two Korean People’s Army [KPA] units, one day after the KPA Supreme Command issued a report that threatened “a sea … Continue reading
Dutch Stamp Collector Detained in DPRK Gives Interview
A Dutch citizen held by DPRK authorities during the summer of 2011 has given a media interview about his detention. Willem van der Bijl, a Utrecht shop owner and stamp … Continue reading
KPA To Begin Abbreviated Winter Drills on December 1
The Korean People’s Army [KPA] and Worker-Peasant Red Guards will begin the winter drill on 1 December. Yonhap, citing a DPRK source, reports that the annual winter drills will last … Continue reading
DPRK, PRC to “Strengthen” Military Cooperation
Kim Jong Il held a meeting and hosted a reception for Li Jinai, director of the Chinese PLA’s General Political Department, and a senior delegation of PLA officers on 17 … Continue reading
DPRK Establishes Relations with South Sudan
DPRK Ambassador to Ethiopia, Kim Hyok Chol, signed a diplomatic agreement with the newly established county of South Sudan. According to an 18 November report in KCNA, Kim met Arop … Continue reading
KJI Conducts KPA Inspection Tour
Since mid-October, Kim Jong Il has conducted six (6) inspections of KPA units. Until an account of his field inspection of KPA Unit #4303 appeared in DPRK media on or … Continue reading
Reconnaissance Bureau Chief Joins KJI at Field Inspection
On 3 November DPRK media reported that Kim Jong Il conducted a field inspection of KPA Unit #322 which contains, among other things, an intelligence training school. KJI’s visit to … Continue reading
North Korea Leadership Watch 