Free Republic

(LEAD) N. Korea forecast to suffer severe economic trouble from March: state-run institute 2017/12/18 15:51 (ATTN: UPDATES with more info in last 4 paras) SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- As the strongest ever international sanctions begin to take effect, North Korea is expected to start suffering from severe economic difficulties around March next year, a state-run think tank said Monday. "In addition to further toughened sanctions, an increase in North Korea's investment in conventional forces in the aftermath of military pressure stemming from the (Korean) deployment of American strategic assets is forecast to hit the North Korean economy seriously sometime...

Has North Korean leader Kim Jong-un executed one of his top aides? By Nicola Smith 14 December 2017 • 3:24am One of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s top aides has disappeared from public life, prompting speculation that he may have been executed. General Hwang Pyong-so was once at the heart of Kim’s inner circle within the Workers’ Party Central Committee. As a Vice-Marshall he also held the most senior military position after the supreme commander. Before he reportedly fell out of favour Mr Hwang was one of only four people pictured standing next to Kim in state propaganda vaunting the...

N.K. leader sacks chief of spy agency: sources 2017/02/03 09:31 SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sacked the chief of the country's spy agency on suspected abuse of power after the ruling party conducted surveillance on the ministry, sources said Friday. Kim Won-hong, 72, was dismissed from the head of the Ministry of State Security after the party's audit late last year found his agency had abused its authority, according to the sources familiar with North Korean affairs. His military rank may have been demoted to lieutenant general from full general, they said. North Korea's...