Author Archive

A Most Peculiar Country: China’s Southern Weekly on North Korea

By | February 08, 2013

F. Bleeker translates a Southern Weekly article indicating that Chinese hopes for Kim Jong-un as reformer have given way to perceptions of a tougher neighbor than his late father ever was.

Smoke Bombs and Tunnels: Chinese Experts Probe North Korea’s Nuclear Intentions

By | February 05, 2013

A vigorous roundtable discussion with pro-DPRK, pro-China and international views sheds light on China’s thinking toward a third North Korean nuclear test. An exclusive SinoNK translation.

Clinging to North Korea: A Chinese Traditionalist View

By | January 24, 2013

An extended apology for China’s orthodox alignment with the DPRK was recently published in Huanqiu Shibao. Roger Cavazos translates, and goes on a journey that ranges from aircraft carriers to Afghanistan.

From Doha to Pyongyang: DPRK Progress and Development within the UNFCCC Framework

By | January 13, 2013

Robert Winstanley-Chesters wonders how much money the DPRK can make from carbon credits, and concludes that the answer is “not much.” At least, not yet.

Googling North Korea: Weighing Notions of Technocratic Boost

By | January 08, 2013

Google could do a great deal for how the DPRK manages its economic system, writes Roger Cavazos, but both sides will tread carefully around the hallucinations.

Charisma vs. the Power Grid: Calculating Priorities and Hallucinations in Kim Jong-un’s Speech

By | January 03, 2013

Facing dysfunction in the nation’s power grid, Roger Cavazos (Nautilus Institute) and Adam Cathcart explore the gap between Kim Jong-un’s charismatic message and the low wattage of reality.

From Unha to Shahab: Contextualizing Notions of Iranian Help with North Korea’s Missile Launch

By | January 02, 2013

Jende Huang (Monterey Institute) looks at the Pyongyang-Beijing-Tehran triangle against the backdrop of North Korea’s quick missile success. Intro by Roger Cavazos.

Considering a Reset of China’s ‘Special Relationship’ with North Korea: Huffington Post Live

By | December 19, 2012

What is the broader outlook for China’s relationship with North Korea in the aftermath of the DPRK’s missile test? SinoNK joins a conversation with the Huffington Post.

The Passing of Kim Jong-il: North Korea Still Mired in “Charismatic Politics”

By | December 17, 2012

Charisma is hard to obtain and harder to retain. It is also ephemeral. Kim Jong-un wants it, has some, but needs more. Roger Cavazos starts watching the sky in the first of our anniversary extravaganza.