China’s Evolving Relationship with North Korea: Talks at IISS and RUSI, London
The Chinese Communist Party finds itself vexed by North Korea. Two Sino-NK analysts delve into Beijing’s policy choices in presentations at premiere London think tanks.
Mass Games for a Mass Audience: Another Sign of Cultural Diplomacy?
With Seoul and Pyongyang both set to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, English- and Korean-language media pick up on different points of a similar theme. Is the DPRK reaching out to foreign audiences for its “Victory Day”?
Challenges to Reform in North Korea: Structure, Agency and the Constitution of the Selectorate
Have the reported changes in policy or new media flows rebalanced the North Korean state and society in an observable way? In a paper from the Spring/Summer 2013 issue of the Yonsei Journal of International Studies, James Burt uses Giddens’ Structuration Theory to refocus the lens on the Juche’s relationship to agents and structures.
Plus ça change: Getting China to Enforce Sanctions on North Korea
Maybe China is now talking the talk on enforcing sanctions resolutions against North Korea, but is it walking the walk? In a new piece taken from the Yonsei Journal of International Studies, analysts Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga and Jenny Jun address the thorny topic of Chinese enforcement of a sanctions system that it willingly signed up to.
Suspicion, Repentance and Finding Spies in South Korean Media
On July 15, a confessed North Korean spy was arrested in Seoul. Darcie Draudt takes a brief look at two recent stories about spies in South Korean media this past week and draws some conclusions about the fine line between mobilizing a watchful nation and paranoia.