Cultural Diplomacy

Tango in Dandong, Liaoning Dirge: Dualities of Sino-North Korean Trade

By | October 17, 2012

As the unprecedentedly large China-DPRK expo winds down in Dandong, the Chinese media reports continuation of a spat between North Korea and a jilted Chinese investor. An exclusive SinoNK translation and analysis.

Reviewing “The Flower Girl”: DPRK Sea of Blood Opera Troupe on Tour in China (3)

By | September 23, 2012

What are the harmonic underpinnings of North Korean persuasion and social control? Adam Cathcart continues with an examination of a core DPRK opera.

Empty Beat: On the Relative Worth of North Korean Revolutionary Music Ensembles

By | August 30, 2012

The Moranbong Band’s meteoric ascent in North Korea has eclipsed ensembles associated with Kim Jong-il and cultural diplomacy with China. Analysis by Adam Cathcart.

Reviewing “The Flower Girl”: DPRK Sea of Blood Opera Troupe on Tour in China

By | August 09, 2012

Wither Kim Jong-il’s cultural influence in North Korea? Adam Cathcart reviews a performance of North Korean opera in Sichuan.

See You in Rio: A Final Look at Team North Korea during the London Olympics

By | August 05, 2012

Ben Young went from Yanji to Pyongyang during the Olympic Games, and arrives with a final assessment.