Young-sun Jeon, Professor at Konkuk University, examines the evolution of North Korean films and dramas during the Kim Jong Un era, noting that while production volume has sharply declined, the directing and storytelling have become significantly more sophisticated. He specifically highlights that recent works focus on "counter-espionage" (bantam) narratives—centered on protecting the Supreme Leader from external threats—as a key mechanism to strengthen internal cohesion. Furthermore, Professor Jeon sharply investigates the current state of North Korean popular culture, which utilizes Cold...

Commentary

• Youngsun JEON
• January 09, 2026

Jaewoo Jun (Reseach Fellow, KIDA) probes China's strategic intention to emerge as a "polar great power" through the construction of the "Polar Silk Road" and addresses the geopolitical shifts triggered in the Arctic region. The author diagnoses that the melting Arctic caused by climate change is shifting the center of gravity of U.S. security strategy toward homeland defense, while subtle strategic tensions are arising among North Korea, China, and Russia over access routes to the East Sea, including the Tumen River estuary. Amidst this complex security environment, Dr. Jun proposes a "preempt...

Commentary

• Jaewoo JUN
• December 31, 2025

Ji-young Choi (Research Fellow, KINU) provides an in-depth analysis of the economic crisis North Korea faced from 2021 to 2025 and the regime's policy responses to these challenges. The author highlights that while the current crisis resembles the shocks of the 1990s, the regime employed differentiated strategies this time: responding immediately and intensively to the food crisis, while adopting a gradual and multi-faceted approach to the fiscal crisis. Furthermore, Dr. Choi examines the achievements and limitations of the partial economic recovery driven by strengthened state control and Nor...

Special Report

• Ji-young CHOI
• December 31, 2025