Special to WorldTribune.com East-Asia-Intel.com South Korea is ready to execute a long-planned contingency measure, including options to send troops to exercise military control of the North, when and if a “sudden change” occurs there. With the summary execution of North Korea’s number 2 man Jang Song-Thaek, authorities in South Korea are further concerned about the […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — The fate of Ri Su-Yong, former North Korean ambassador to Switzerland, is crucial to the future of tens of thousands of associates of Jang Song-Thaek who was purged and executed recently, sources and analysts here said. Ri, a deputy head of a Worker’s Party department, served as ambassador […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com On the day before Jang Song-Thaek’s execution, his wife, Kim Kyong-Hui, divorced him. The man whom she had met when they were both students at Kim Il-Sung University, he a charmer who played the accordion at parties, she the daughter of the Great Leader Kim Il-Sung, had deserted […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — North Korea’s youthful leader Kim Jong-Un has eliminated potential rivals, most recently his uncle, in a bid to consolidate his power, sources and analysts here said. Jang Song-Thaek’s dismissal came as a surprise to many North Korea watchers here because has acted as a regent to the young […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com The demise of the man who was once the power behind the throne in North Korea inspires so many theories that all you can say for sure is that nobody knows what’s really going on in the corridors of power in Pyongyang. A couple of these theories are […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un convened a meeting of senior economic-related officials from the Party, the Cabinet and local governments on Oct. 8, in which he approved major plans for economic development. The new economic plans focused on special economic zones designed to attract foreign investment and is […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com Sometimes you have to wonder when reading the top stories how much people are really thinking about some of the implications. Take this running story about Edward Snowden. It’s a fun read, and it would not be a good idea to put him in jail for a lot […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s powerful uncle Jang Song-Thaek, who has been in the background during the regime’s months-long militant rhetorical offensive, could be in the spotlight as Pyongyang shifts to the dialogue mode, sources here said. The recent China visit by Kim’s special envoy for a briefing […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Un’s recent visits to military units are aimed at soothing disgruntled military leaders following the recent purges of senior officers and the adoption of measures that weaken the military, South Korean officials and sources say. Kim Jong-Un, who ascended to power after the death […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — The job of a journalist for the North Korean propaganda machine surely must be one of the more fun-filled gigs in the media business. Imagine the laughs the writers up there must be having as they dream up fresh turns of phrase with which to pillory […]