Kim Jong Un

Trump–Kim Nuclear Theatrics

There probably is room for a US-North Korean deal, but Trump’s propensity to turn every major policy initiative into a personal melodrama may well undercut his Korea effort.

June 5, 2018

Aiming for a Nuke-Free Korea

Moon has not spelled out his “one-shot” strategy for finally solving one of the most intractable problems bequeathed by the cold war, but its shape is starting to emerge as he prepares for a summit meeting with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

April 18, 2018

North Korea’s Not-So-Simple Succession

The Kim is dead. Long live the Kim. That, at least, is the story you’ll get from most of the initial takes on the death of Kim Jong Il, whose death was announced Monday around noon, Korean time. His designated political heir, his son Kim Jong Un, is now set to take the reins. That, at least, is how it’s supposed to happen according to the peculiar rules of the world’s only communist monarchy. After all, isn’t the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea a staunchly totalitarian state where nothing ever changes? Actually, no. You could have gotten away with writing that just a few years ago. But too much has happened in North Korea in the interim.

December 19, 2011

North Korea’s New Prince

So now it’s official. North Korea’s ruling party has given its blessing to Kim Jong Il’s choice of a successor. The lucky man is Kim’s third and youngest son, Kim Jong Un.

October 1, 2010