Previously Uncategorized

Yongusil 9: Treasured Swords under the Byungjin Line: a Trilogy

By | October 08, 2013

Robert Winstanley-Chesters’ analytic foray into the hinterland of the Byungjin Line and ‘Treasured Swords’ of a different timbre (possibly timber), combined and reworked into a single piece for the discerning autumn reader.

Yongusil 7: Woodrow Wilson Center Archive

By | September 20, 2013

Historical data and published information on North Korea derived from deep research or possessed of an empirical focus does indeed exist. In this Yungusil post, Robert Winstanley-Chesters reviews the rich repository of sources available to researchers.

Yongusil 1: Robert Winstanley-Chesters at the Royal Geographical Society on August 29

By | August 26, 2013

On Thursday, Robert Winstanley-Chesters will present and extend upon the findings of his doctoral research at a keynote and prestigious event in the field of Geography, the RGS-IBG International Annual Conference.

Editor’s Note: Oxford-Seoul Nexus–Sino-NK at Engage Korea and Asan Plenum

By | June 12, 2013

Scholarship and debate are at the core of the Sino-NK enterprise. Sabine van Ameijden, the group’s Research Coordinator, brings out several abstracts given by our writers at recent conferences.

Salvaging a Misstep? Vice Marshal Choe Ryong-hae in Beijing

By | June 05, 2013

V.Mar Choe Ryong-hae managed to press the CPC flesh in Beijing just before the Xi-Obama summit in California at the end of this week. Following on from his timely May 23 analysis of Choe’s trip as it was happening, Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga analyzes the fallout.

Skiing in Choppy Waters: North Korea Lays Out the Pyeongchang Hustle

By | May 28, 2013

The North Korean Army is building a ski resort at Masik Pass. Christopher Green explains the significance and possible reasons behind North Korea’s decision to “go for the gold.”

Packaged and Controlled by the Masculine State: Moranbong Band and Gender in New Chosun-Style Performance

By and | May 03, 2013

Darcie Draudt and Jimin Lee provide analysis of the Moranbong Band, plowing into the debate over gender, reform, and the future of North Korea.

Mobilizing Human Rights Infrastructure in 24 Languages: Interview with Blaine Harden

By | May 01, 2013

A young man named Shin Dong-hyuk stands at the forefront of a cultural shift that is changing the way the world perceives, and divides, North Korea the state and North Korea the people. In the first part of an outstanding new interview, Blaine Harden, the author of Shin’s story, speaks to Adam Cathcart about what it all means in part one of a three-part series.

Knives, Lassoes, and Accordions: A Chinese Traditionalist View of the Korean Peninsula

By | April 27, 2013

Ding Gang’s recent skepticism about American intentions around the Korean peninsula is the subject of a short investigation by Mycal Ford.