Jong Un Trial Balloon to Beijing (Or a stalking horse to Jilin?)
2010 was the year Pyongyang watchers waited for Kim Cho’ng-il to travel to China. KCI managed to live up to the hype, as news photographers staked out his private train. … Continue reading
New FMD Outbreak
According to the DPRK government’s own reporting to international organizations, the country saw new cases of foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] in late Febraury and March. Yonhap reports: A new outbreak of … Continue reading
People’s Security Minister Meets VN Counterpart
Minister of People’s Security, Yi Myo’ng-su [Ri Myong Su], has discharged one of his first public acts since his appointment to the position at the SPA on 7 April. Yi … Continue reading
12th SPA’s 4th Session Elects New NDC Member, MPS
The 4th session (plenum) of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] convened Thursday [7 April] at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang. Neither Kim Cho’ng-il nor Kim Cho’ng-u’n attended the … Continue reading
KCI Meets PRC Public Security Minister
Kim Cho’ng-il met with China’s Public Security Minister, Meng Jianzhu, who arrived in the DPRK on Sunday [13 February]. During his stay in the country, Meng has met with … Continue reading
Added Security Measures for the Leadership?
After Kim Il-song died in 1994, Kim Chong-il initiated a shake-up in the DPRK’s protective service for the leadership, the Guard Command. He dismissed dozens of Guard Command officers, expanded … Continue reading
DPRK Contends with Foot-and-Mouth
The DPRK is dealing with its first reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease since 2007. The DPRK banned ROK pork and beef shipments into Kaesong Industrial Complex in late December, as … Continue reading
Pyongyang Prepares to Conference
Despite a reported media blackout by the DPRK press, Pyongyang seems to be preparing for the 3rd Party Conference. Reportedly KISYL charges are marching the city’s streets singing “Footsteps.” On … Continue reading
