Was there almost a second Korean War in 1980?
South Korea this week marks the 44th anniversary of protests in Gwangju, where over 200 civilians were killed by martial law forces suppressing what was...
Why are North Korean defectors conservative?
Nine out of ten North Korean defectors in South Korea support conservative parties. In National Assembly elections in 2012, for example, the turnout among defectors...
South Korea through the eyes of North Koreans
If you were to ask North Koreans how they view South Korea, their response might vary according to their job, the part of the country...
How shamanism and fortune-telling persist in the two Koreas
The occult movie Exhuma recently surpassed box-office sales of 10 million in South Korea and is currently showing in 133 countries, but audiences in North...
The consequences of loyalty and disloyalty in North Korea
Towards the end of his long career, Kim Ki-nam had good reason to worry about his future. As North Korea’s longtime propaganda chief, he had...
When free medical treatment is not free
"Oh, are you a North Korean defector?" the South Korean man at the book club asked me politely. "If it's not too intrusive, may I...
Kim Jong-un and the campaign of coerced adulation
Congratulations, your congratulatory message is on TV. In North Korea, where the leadership never seems to tire of being congratulated, there's a tradition of showcasing...
Companies in China prepare to employ more North Korean workers
Companies in China are reportedly preparing to employ North Korean workers. Firms in the Chinese border city of Dandong, across the Yalu River from the...
Animation films and the shaping of violent children
When defectors from North Korea see kids’ animation movies in South Korea for the first time, they’re usually in for a shock. They’re nothing like...
China resumes forcible repatriation of defectors
China last month returned a large number of refugees to North Korea against their will, according to news reports based on activists, brokers and family...
5-jang 6-ki: What a North Korean woman needs for her dowry
I love Pride and Prejudice so much that I've watched it dozens of times. It gets praised a lot for the wonderful story and beautiful...
The achievements and limitations of Yoon Suk-yeol’s North Korean human rights
The current administration of Yoon Suk-yeol in South Korea has done more than any of its predecessors to stand up for the human rights of...
North Korea’s film industry has trouble staying afloat
The once thriving movie industry in North Korea seems to be stagnating. When a new war blockbuster, 72 Hours, was screened this month in theaters...