A former U.S. diplomat’s inexplicable defense of Kim Jong-Un

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A former U.S. diplomat’s inexplicable defense of Kim Jong-Un

Special to WorldTribune.com By Donald Kirk, EastAsiaIntel.com Donald Gregg, former U.S. ambassador to Korea, makes an astounding statement in a piece published after North Korea’s fourth nuclear test. Striking “a very positive note,” he praises “the performance of Kim Jong-Un in improving the North Korean economy and downplaying nuclear threats and nuclear weapons development.” It […]

What North Korea hoped to gain from unexpected high-profile visit to South

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What North Korea hoped to gain from unexpected high-profile visit to South

Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — With North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un out of sight for more than a month apparently due to poor health, a surprise visit by a small but powerful North Korean delegation confused officials and analysts in Seoul. A trio of top military-party officials — Hwang Pyong-So, Choe Ryong-Hae and […]

Unbelievable: Take your pick of unlikely North Korean power play theories

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Unbelievable: Take your pick of unlikely North Korean power play theories

By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com The world seems to be missing Kim Jong-un. The porcine image of this overweight 30-something reviewing his troops or wagging a finger at a map or “ordering” a missile test had become a media staple until he vanished from view in early September. Oh, we also like to read about his […]

Power struggle between Kim’s top two aides noted by North Korea watchers

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Power struggle between Kim’s top two aides noted by North Korea watchers

Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — The bitter rivalry between Hwang Pyong-So and Kim Wong-Hong, two of North Korea’s most powerful leader under Kim Jong-Un, has emerged in the wake of fierce competitions to win much-needed foreign currency. The power struggle between Hwang, the country’s top military leader in charge of the powerful General […]

Kim Jong-Un’s third No. 2 since December seen as evidence of continued instability

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Kim Jong-Un’s third No. 2 since December seen as evidence of continued instability

Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — Hwang Pyong-So is believed to have replaced Choe Rong-Hae as North Korea’s top military leader in charge of the powerful General Political Bureau of the People’s Army, sources here said. If confirmed, Hwang becomes the third No. 2 man in North Korea in less than five months following […]

Hwang emerging as key Kim aide for agency that runs all N. Koreans’ lives

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Hwang emerging as key Kim aide for agency that runs all N. Koreans’ lives

Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — Hwang Pyong-So, an unknown until recently, has rapidly risen within the core of North Korea’s ruling elite. Hwang was recently named deputy head of the Organization and Guidance Department of the Workers’ Party, one of the most powerful posts in the country, according to Seoul’s Unification Ministry. The […]