Government of North Korea Commentary

The Cheonan Attack

Douglas H. Paal | Jun 03, 2010
North Korea clearly wanted to sink the ship—Kim Jong-il personally promoted a commander involved in the operation.

Avoiding Pyongyang

Doug Bandow | May 24, 2010
The Cheonan incident is South Korea’s responsibility. If Seoul decides on a retaliatory strike, America shouldn’t get involved.

An Unstable Rogue

Doug Bandow | Apr 06, 2010
With its leadership in flux, the possibility of violence spilling outward from North Korea seems real.

Bipolar Pyongyang

Doug Bandow | Sep 09, 2009
A seemingly repentant North Korea is ready to negotiate, but the six-party talks are not enough. The administration should have a bilateral heart-to-heart with the Kim Jong Il regime. Then our allies can help seal the deal.

Grumpy Old Men

Doug Bandow | Aug 04, 2009
North Korea’s elderly leadership is nervous and bellicose. This bodes ill for any nuclear negotiations.

Kim's Heir

Doug Bandow | Jul 29, 2009
Kim Jong-il was bad. His successor will be worse.

Norks & Nukes

Ted Galen Carpenter | Jul 09, 2009
Kim Jong Il wants attention, so let’s give it to him. Normalizing relations with North Korea will reveal the true reasons for its nuclear ambitions.

Quiet Diplomacy

Drew Thompson | Jun 03, 2009
Beijing is under a lot of pressure to stop defending North Korea. But is it lashing Pyongyang behind the scenes?

Kim III

David C. Kang | May 28, 2009
Pyongyang’s nuclear antics are prompted by domestic turmoil, not schemes for global domination. While the West frets over proliferation, Kim Jong-il is worrying about his heir.

Forgetting Pyongyang

Doug Bandow | May 27, 2009
Kim Jong-il loves attention. Instead of going into crisis mode whenever he throws a temper tantrum, we should ignore him—while quietly reminding the Chinese that a nuclear-armed North isn’t in their interest.

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