Sep 30 2009
Alright, first things first. I found out from North Korean Economy Watch the name is Kim Jong Eun, not Kim Jong Un. This is important to know, and the correction is well-taken. The author of the post is rightfully reluctant to post things about the succession, because, (again rightfully so) is filled with speculation.
The song [...]
Sep 20 2009
Here is something I did not really know about: Communism with a human face. I did some digging around to see what this was all about. While some may know all about this, I was kind of surprised and interested in reading more about it.
Any further insight and information from readers would be fantastic.
Since this [...]
Sep 11 2009
It is most likely most DPRK watchers know of Lankov’s work, and this PDF is probably no exception. This paper argues North Korea’s Stalinist style regime is falling apart, which is probably dead on. This also agrees with the bottom-up process of marketization, futile attempts at reforms, and a people more interested in survival rather [...]
Sep 09 2009
Confirmations in North Korea is nearly non-existent, and even if there was a confirmation, it is usually smart to question that as well. Therefore, in the world of rumors regarding Kim Jong Un and his supposed role and/or authority in the Kim regime seem to be front and center? Granted, it is not so much [...]
Sep 06 2009
I was looking up the status of North Korea’s debt, and to see how others rate the state. Then I ran into an interesting article about North Korean Debt Certificates. This thing is probably worth contemplating. As most North Korea watchers know, North Korea’s debt defaulted quite a while ago, and some of the debt [...]
Sep 05 2009
It appears the Ryugyong Hotel is making some progress, at least on the outside. When construction resumed sometime last year, I almost fell out of my chair. I could not believe such a project would ever resume with the many serious problems this thing obviously has. So I open Google News this morning, and see [...]
Sep 05 2009
In studying the Arduous March, North Korea experienced one of the most deadly famines of the 20th century. According to Marcus Noland and Stephan Haggard in the very well-written book, Famine in North Korea: Markets, Aid, and Reform. Call me odd (which should be no surprise to anybody), but I became an instant fan of [...]
Sep 04 2009
(Hat Tip: Hapo) A good video about the Berlin Wall.
Another walk through along the border in several Parts. I had a hell of a time trying to find it, and hapo found this one. Enjoy!
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Sep 02 2009
Some details are starting to emerge about how Euna Lee and Laura Ling crossed the border. According to Bloomberg:
Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) — Two U.S. journalists detained in North Korea and released after a visit by former U.S. President Bill Clinton said soldiers from the communist nation “violently dragged” them back across the border from China.
[...]
“We [...]