T-ara, Titanic, and Taeyeon: Pop Culture and North Korea
A young defector summed the allure of pop culture to North Koreans best: “No matter how many people die, the sensational popularity doesn’t die…that is the power of culture.”
Should the Proposed New Cyber Norms Address North Korea?
Although short of being a treaty, potential new new norms being negotiated by China and the United States could have longer-term implications, including for addressing cyber threats from North Korea.
Why North Korea’s “Non-Apology” Apology is Significant
In the aftermath of the recent tensions on the Korean peninsula some commentators have contended that South Korea is spinning the idea that North Korea apologized for maiming two South Korea soldiers when it didn’t directly claim responsibility for the act but merely expressed regret.
North Korea Blinks
No one apart from the representatives of the North Korean and South Korean governments who took part in the marathon talks over the weekend of August 22 can know exactly what took place. But there is some inevitable spin regarding who came away the “winner.”
Of Landmines, Loudspeakers, and Submarines on the Korean Peninsula: What We Now Know About Kim Jong-un
With the announcement of a deal shortly after midnight on August 25 the most recent inter-Korean crisis averted a military conflict on the Korean peninsula…With the crisis now coming to a close, what can we learn from the crises that Kim Jong-un has precipitated and the deals he’s made?
Bang Bang Bang: Taking on the North Korean Regime through K-pop
The broadcasts avoid criticizing the North Korean government directly – instead, the key point has been “subtlety.” So, hidden among news reports and information about Kim Jong Un’s health conditions, the broadcasts contained some unusual content – pop music.
How the Korean Language Has Diverged Over 70 Years of Separation
After the first meeting between North and South in 1972, the North Korean delegation already noted a marked change in the Korean language that both sides spoke, changes that have made a marked difference in each dialect that goes beyond regional differences.
How North and South Korea Have Changed Since the Korean War
With the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II over the weekend, KEI takes a look back at what has changed on the Korean Peninsula from the 1945 to today.
Three Questions About North Korea’s Latest Execution
In the pantheon of executions, one would not expect to see a niche devoted to disagreements over forestry policy, which makes the news that Vice Premier Choe Yong-gon was executed for a disagreement over reforesting North Korea and poor job performance such a perplexing development.
Are There Implications from the Nuclear Deal with Iran for North Korea?
Commentators on both sides of the political spectrum have used North Korea and Iran interchangeably to buttress their position on the negotiations to corral Iran’s nuclear weapons ambition.