Five Issues Ban Ki-Moon Should Raise If He Goes to North Korea
There are five issues that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon should raise if he is able to visit North Korea.
October 2015: Building from Family Reunions While Tensions Remain in Inter-Korean Relations
With North Korea celebrating the anniversary of its Workers Party on October 10, there was also some initial concern that the event would be marked by a missile launch or nuclear test, which would damage the possibility of the family reunions scheduled for later in the month. No missile or nuclear test occurred, and both the parade for the anniversary and the family reunions took place.
Congress Wants to Up the Pressure on North Korean Human Rights Violators
Earlier this month, three U.S. senators took on North Korea (DPRK) by introducing a broad sanctions bill aimed at addressing concerns about cyberwarfare and the North’s continued nuclear ambitions.
September 2015: Tough Rhetoric between Deal and Potential Meetings in Inter-Korean Relations
After the month of August featured shooting, shouting, and a negotiated joint statement, September mainly focused on laying the groundwork necessary to implement the August 25 agreement or to scuttle it.
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.
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.
Inter-Korean Relations in 2014 and Impact for 2015
Looking back on inter-Korean relations in 2014 could give insights to help improve the possibility for a better year between the two Koreas in 2015.