Today’s episode talks about the complicated historical framework of the North Korean-Japanese relations – including the two biggest conflict points that both countries have had. In that light, I also discuss their contemporary problems including history interpretation and mutual negative perception. Please consider donating to support ad-free, independent coverage of the DPRK: Make a donationContinue reading “Episode 48 – Why are the North Korean-Japanese relations as bad as it can get?”
Tag Archives: History
Episode 45 – What happens if Kim Jong-un dies?
The notorious leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, has disappeared several times from the public eye in the course of 2020 and 2021, with both experts and media watchers wondering whether the North Korean leader is suffering from some sort of systemic health issue that could potentially be fatal. But what actually happens if KimContinue reading “Episode 45 – What happens if Kim Jong-un dies?”
Episode 41 – What is North Korea’s diplomatic standing in the developing world?
Back in the Cold War days, North Korea was one of the key players in the non-aligned movement or the so-called Third World. Pyongyang used to position itself as a leader of the opposition to international imperialism and even tried to project its juche ideology on other countries. However, now the country is largely seenContinue reading “Episode 41 – What is North Korea’s diplomatic standing in the developing world?”
Boardgame Recommendation – No Motherland Without
A publication on a very different topic today! Thanks to comrade Pijus Kruminas, I became aware of this board game and now it’s officially on my wish-list. If you like board games, make sure to check it out! No Motherland Without: North Korea in Crisis and Cold War is a card-driven strategy game for two players.Continue reading “Boardgame Recommendation – No Motherland Without”
Book Lottery Winner and Next Episode Announcements
Well, as promised, today I am announcing the book lottery winner that was scheduled during the hiatus period. Alas, it was not that many people, who participated, but still! And the winner is … Yves Vervecken 🙂 Congratulations, Yves! I’ll be sending you a copy of the book shortly. Since I might be in BelgiumContinue reading “Book Lottery Winner and Next Episode Announcements”
Book Review – The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia
Today I am reviewing one of my most favorite, if not the most favorite book about North Korea – The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia by Andrei Lankov. Check it out, if you have time!
Book Review – The Aquariums of Pyongyang
The Aquariums of Pyongyang is a relatively well-known work by Kang Chol-hwan, a North Korean refugee and prominent human rights activist. I am sure many of you might have seen a glimpse of it somewhere in a bookshop, so I wanted to review it before you make a decision to purchase it 😛 As usual, theContinue reading “Book Review – The Aquariums of Pyongyang “
Episode 33 – What is the geopolitical dimension of the Russia-North Korea relations?
Moscow is often seen, similar to Beijing, as one of the key allies of the North Korean regime. Yet politics and history of the Russia-North Korea relations have vacillated from strategic importance to complete indifference – and the pendulum would swing back and forth every other decade. The Korean Peninsula, which lies as the Eastern-mostContinue reading “Episode 33 – What is the geopolitical dimension of the Russia-North Korea relations?”
Episode 25 – Have there been any coup attempts in North Korea?
Palace or military coups is something that you often witness in a variety of different autocracies – ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe; from one-party authoritarian regimes to personalistic dictatorships. However, you probably have never heard about one happening in North Korea. Have there been any coup attempts in the DPRK? Were they successful? What doesContinue reading “Episode 25 – Have there been any coup attempts in North Korea?”
Episode 23 – Who is Kim Jong-un and how is he shaping North Korea?
Kim Jong-un is one of the most well-known leaders in contemporary world politics, who gets a lot of press – and a lot of very bad press. Despite that fact, very little is actually known about him as a person and, especially, about his early years of political career before becoming the leader of NorthContinue reading “Episode 23 – Who is Kim Jong-un and how is he shaping North Korea?”
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