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Kim Jong Il
paydesk has 19 reporters who cover Kim Jong Il. Our journalists are already on location, all over the world, and ready to work at a moment's notice. Our top correspondents who cover Kim Jong Il are Steven Borowiec and Matthew Bremner. Use our journalist directory to find an Kim Jong Il member to work for you.
Journalists Who Cover Kim Jong Il
Steven Borowiec
Steven Borowiec is a journalist and broadcaster based in Seoul, South Korea. He has written for the Guardian, Time, the Wall Street Journal, on other top notch media outlets. He has appeared as a commentator on radio and television networks including NPR, BBC and CBC.
Korean
Live Reporting
Fact Checking
Politics
Research
Risk Analysis
+1
Jobs Completed 1
Usually Responds Within a day
Related Articles
Kim Jong Un’s tender moment with daughter at military parade speaks volumes of his succession plans
Kim Jong Un's public display of affection towards his daughter Ju Ae during North Korea's 75th army anniversary parade suggests she is being groomed as his successor. Ju Ae's presence at such events indicates a strategic move to ensure a smooth leadership transition and maintain the Kim family's control. The article highlights the ongoing commitment of North Korea to its nuclear weapons program, signaling that this focus will continue into the next generation. The narrative underscores the contrast between the regime's investment in military capabilities and the neglect of its people's welfare.
Interpretive
Factuality Scale
Center
Political View
Matthew Bremner
Matthew Bremner is a journalist based in Burgos, Spain. He is fluent in Spanish and has filed reports and features from places such as Argentina and Japan. His work has appeared in the Financial Times, the BBC, VICE, Slate, The Daily Beast, Roads and Kingdoms and ESPN. You can find examples of ...
English
Spanish
Feature Stories
Fact Checking
Politics
Current Affairs
Arts & Books
+2
Related Articles
Meet the North Korea Apologist Who Opened a Cafe to Spread the ‘Truth’ About North Korea
Alejandro Cao de Benos, a Spanish native and North Korea apologist, opened Pyongyang Cafe in Tarragona, Spain, to promote a positive image of North Korea. Despite challenges in importing North Korean products, the cafe serves as a cultural center for those interested in North Korean society. De Benos, who founded the Korean Friendship Association, advocates for North Korea's political system, contrasting it with Western democracies. He emphasizes communal living and state-provided welfare in North Korea, while criticizing Western individualism. The cafe aims to offer an alternative perspective on North Korea, challenging Western narratives.
Interpretive
Factuality Scale
Far Left
Political View
Matthew Brunwasser
****
English
Feature Stories
Content Writing
Corporate Content
+6
Fact Checking
Related Articles
Kim Jong Il’s Grandson Attending School in Bosnia
Kim Jong Il's grandson, Kim Han Sol, has begun attending United World College in Mostar, Bosnia. Stephen Codrington, who interviewed him in Macau, praised Kim Han Sol's intelligence and idealism. The student met the admission criteria without special preference.
Informative
Factuality Scale
Catherine Field
Catherine Field is an award winning journalist whose expertise covers radio, television and print media. Catherine has lived in France since 1999. Prior to that she was based in Hong Kong, where she was China Correspondent for The Observer newspaper. From 1986 until 1993 she was the Berlin ...
English
French
German
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
News Gathering
Feature Stories
+5
Fact Checking
Jobs Completed 703
Job Success Rate 97%
Usually Responds Within a day
Related Articles
Kim Jong Il and the World Food Program: UN must get tough on aid for North Korea
North Korea, under Kim Jong Il's regime, is seeking emergency aid from the United Nations for the 10th consecutive year due to self-inflicted famine. Critics argue that the aid enables the regime's survival and benefits military and party loyalists over the needy. The World Food Program's passive acceptance of North Korea's distribution demands is under scrutiny, with calls for stricter accountability and independent oversight. The article suggests that the UN's current approach may have broader negative implications for international aid in the face of global challenges like climate change.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Center
Political View
Aidan Foster-Carter
Aidan Foster-Carter is a journalist based in Exeter, United Kingdom.
Jobs Completed 2
Related Articles
Mortal Menace, or Mere Mind Games?
Kim Jong Un's recent speeches signal a radical shift in North Korea's policy towards South Korea, marking a departure from past approaches by repudiating the legacies of his predecessors. The rhetoric suggests a heightened military posture, with threats of nuclear deterrence and potential constitutional amendments to redefine territorial claims. Despite the aggressive language, the analysis suggests this may be more performative than indicative of imminent conflict, as North Korea grapples with internal challenges and seeks to navigate its relationships with China and Russia. The article highlights the complexities and contradictions in Kim's stance, questioning the coherence and practicality of his new policy direction.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Far Left
Political View
Joseph Hammond
Joseph Hammond has reported in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. He has written for a number of publications including The Economist, U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Newsweek Middle East Edition, International Business Times, Monocle Magazine, and the Economist. Hammond’s worked as Cairo ...
English
Spanish
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
+11
Politics
Current Affairs
Arts & Books
+2
Jobs Completed 6
Usually Responds Within a month
Related Articles
Reflections on the first Iranian diplomat's visit to Cairo visit in over a decade
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi visited Cairo for the first time since 2013, aiming to ease tensions and discuss regional issues with Egyptian officials. The visit contrasts with a previous high-profile visit by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2013, which was marked by public incidents and diplomatic challenges. The article reflects on the changes in Middle Eastern geopolitics over the past decade, highlighting the departure of several key leaders. It also recounts a personal encounter with a North Korean diplomat, illustrating the complex web of international relations in the region.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Robert Kelly
Robert Kelly is a filmmaking professional based in Belfast, United Kingdom.
Irish
Video Rushes
Arts & Books
Jobs Completed 1
Usually Responds Within a day
Related Articles
Commentary: Where is North Korea getting the resources to test missiles and buy arms?
North Korea's aggressive missile testing and potential resumption of nuclear tests violate UN sanctions, raising questions about resource acquisition amidst severe economic sanctions and chronic food insecurity. The regime prioritizes military spending over civilian needs, exacerbating poverty and malnutrition. Smuggling and illicit activities fund its military build-up, with China and Russia's lax enforcement of sanctions contributing to the issue. The international community faces challenges in disciplining North Korea, with potential solutions including maintaining sanctions, missile defense, or pre-emptive strikes, though each carries significant risks.
Interpretive
Factuality Scale
Center
Political View
Morten Soendergaard Larsen
I'm a journalist focusing on larger structural stories and the humans caught in it. I write and do radio packages as well as lives for both radio and tv. I mainly produce Danish content but I'm fluent in English and have produced for international news before.
Danish
English
German
+1
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Feature Stories
+6
Politics
Current Affairs
Technology
+10
Usually Responds Within a day
Related Articles
The Curious Case of the Maybe Dead Dictator
Speculation surrounds the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after reports of his surgery and potential grave condition. Historical parallels are drawn with past false reports of North Korean leaders' deaths. Experts and officials from South Korea and China have denied serious health issues, but the lack of Kim's appearance at a significant national event fuels uncertainty. Potential successors, including Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong, are discussed, though North Korea's patriarchal society may pose challenges. The situation remains unclear, with experts awaiting official confirmation from Pyongyang.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Ceci Lee
Hwawon Ceci Lee is a bilingual video/photo journalist and multimedia producer based in Seoul, South Korea. Her work spans international news, documentaries, and corporate media, with credits including camera operation for BBC News, photography for EBS global documentary festivals, and production of ...
English
Korean
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Documentaries
+3
Current Affairs
Film & Theatre
Music
+2
Related Articles
Kim Jong Un wants Trump back, elite defector tells BBC
Ri Il Kyu, the highest-ranking North Korean defector since 2016, reveals that North Korea views Donald Trump's potential return to the White House as a significant opportunity. Despite official statements, North Korea hopes to leverage Trump's personal relationship with Kim Jong Un to negotiate over its nuclear weapons program. Ri asserts that North Korea would not negotiate in good faith and would use any agreement to strengthen its nuclear capabilities. He also highlights the severe economic and social conditions in North Korea, exacerbated by the pandemic and international sanctions. Ri calls for international cooperation to persuade North Korea to change, emphasizing that internal loyalty to Kim Jong Un is waning.
Interpretive
Factuality Scale
Center-Right
Political View
Nicolas Levi
I am a consultant and advisor working on a freelance basis. I authored eight books about North Korea. I comment on international affairs with an emphasis on North Korea.
English
Polish
Content Writing
Corporate Content
Interview (Print / Radio / Podcast)
+1
Politics
Research
Risk Analysis
Related Articles
Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the occasion of the anniversary of the death of Kim Il Sung
Kim Jong Un, along with senior officials including Choe Ryong Hae, Pak Pong Ju, and Kim Jae Ryong, visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to commemorate the anniversary of Kim Il Sung's death. The visit included members of the State Affairs Commission, the Political Bureau, and the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Factual
Factuality Scale
David Matthews
I am a camera operator and editor currently based in London with several of years of experience in the industry. I mostly work in busy environments, covering press conferences, protests, civil disturbance and all kinds of news events, in the UK and all over Europe. This experience has taught me to ...
English
Polish
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Vox Pop
+5
Politics
Current Affairs
Natural Disasters
+7
Related Articles
N. Korea’s Kim Jong Un believed to have turned 40 after keeping birthday a secret
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is believed to have turned 40, a milestone not publicly acknowledged in North Korea. Unlike his father and grandfather, whose birthdays are national holidays marked with fanfare, Kim's birthday remains a secret. Theories suggest reasons for this secrecy, including his youth and lack of accomplishments, or sensitivity regarding his mother's Japanese birth. The only public celebration was by Dennis Rodman in 2014. Official holidays for his predecessors' birthdays were established when they turned 40 and 56, respectively.
Factual
Factuality Scale
Alastair Mccready
Alastair McCready is editor for regional magazine Southeast Asia Globe, based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is able to provide editing, photography and reporting, as well as contacts in country and across the region.
English
Feature Stories
Fact Checking
Politics
Fact Checking
Jobs Completed 1
Usually Responds Within a few days
Related Articles
Few customers but plenty of cash?: N Korean restaurants remain open in Laos
North Korean restaurants in Laos, including the Paektu Hanna Restaurant, continue to operate despite UN sanctions, serving as potential fronts for money laundering linked to cybercrime activities. These establishments, once cultural envoys, now play a diminished role in North Korea's overseas business empire. Reports suggest that North Korean IT workers in Laos, China, and Russia engage in cyber activities, generating illicit funds crucial for the regime. Weak compliance with sanctions, particularly by China and Russia, undermines their effectiveness. The financial income from cybercrime has become a significant source of revenue for North Korea, overshadowing traditional income streams.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Center
Political View
Dana Regev
Israeli born, Berlin based, I write mainly about German current affairs but also about Middle East politics and Israel in particular. I currently work for Germany's international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, but have been reporting additionally for POLITICO, The Telegraph, Haaretz, VICE and more.
English
Hebrew
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Vox Pop
Feature Stories
+6
Business
Politics
Current Affairs
+1
Jobs Completed 1
Usually Responds Within a day
Related Articles
North Korea's Taedonggang beer celebrates 20 years
North Korea celebrates the 20th anniversary of Taedonggang beer, a popular lager with a 'crisp and clean finish' that is enjoyed in Pyongyang's beer gardens. Despite its local acclaim, the beer's origins are rooted in capitalism, with its production equipment and brewing techniques originating from a British brewery, Ushers, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The Korean Central News Agency praises the brewery's history and the involvement of former leader Kim Jong Il and current leader Kim Jong Un in its development. The article recounts the story of how North Korea acquired the brewery through a business broker and the subsequent training of North Korean brewers by Gary Todd, a former head brewer at Ushers. Due to international sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic, Taedonggang beer is now difficult to find outside North Korea.
Julian Ryall
Julian Ryall is a journalist based in Tokyo, Japan.
English
Feature Stories
Corporate Content
Research
+2
Fact Checking
Related Articles
Is Kim Jong Un's Daughter Being Prepared to Succeed the Dynasty?
Kim Ju Ae, daughter of Kim Jong Un, has been increasingly appearing in public, sparking speculation about her being groomed to succeed her father. Despite North Korea's Confucian values and military's reluctance to accept female leadership, recent developments suggest a possible transition of power. South Korean officials and analysts believe Kim Jong Un is laying the groundwork for his daughter's future leadership, supported by North Korea's propaganda efforts. While some experts remain skeptical due to her young age, others see a potential shift in the traditionally patriarchal society. The article discusses the historical context of the Kim dynasty's succession and the strategic use of Kim Ju Ae's public appearances to reinforce the regime's legitimacy.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Center
Political View
Mitch Shin
Mitch Shin is a journalist based in Seoul, South Korea.
English
Korean
Spanish
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Vox Pop
News Gathering
+8
Business
Politics
Current Affairs
+10
Related Articles
Will Kim Jong Un Meet With Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida?
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, indicated a positive outlook on a potential summit between Kim Jong Un and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. Kishida expressed a strong desire to change the bilateral relationship and is willing to meet Kim without preconditions. However, the longstanding issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens remains a significant barrier. Japan insists on resolving the abduction issue, while North Korea considers it settled. Despite some diplomatic openness, experts are skeptical about the likelihood of a summit due to ongoing nuclear tensions and Kishida's political challenges.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Kirk Spitzer
Tokyo Correspondent for USA Today, and Tokyo-based freelance journalist. Experienced in print, broadcast and online journalism. Specialising in defense, national security, international relations, business and economics. Have traveled widely in Japan and the Asia-Pafic region and have written on a ...
English
Japanese
News Gathering
Feature Stories
Content Writing
+6
Fact Checking
Jobs Completed 1
Related Articles
U.N. Security Council condemns North Korean long-range missile launch
The U.N. Security Council unanimously condemned North Korea's long-range missile launch as a violation of U.N. resolutions and promised new sanctions. The launch, described by North Korea as a satellite placement, is seen as a ballistic missile development effort. The U.S. reaffirmed its defense commitment to South Korea and Japan, while Seoul considers deploying the THAAD missile defense system, drawing objections from China and Russia. South Korean President Park Geun Hye labeled the launch a provocation, and North Korea claims to have successfully placed an observation satellite into orbit. The missile's payload is believed to be twice that of North Korea's 2012 satellite, with an estimated range of 3,400 miles.
Factual
Factuality Scale
Jason Strother
Jason Strother is an American journalist who's been based in Seoul, South Korea since 2006. When news breaks Jason goes live on television and radio with international outlets including the BBC, CBC, France 24 and DW. Jason is a frequent contributor to the US public radio program PRI's The World ...
Afrikaans
Interview (Print / Radio / Podcast)
Fact Checking
Current Affairs
Natural Disasters
Investigative Reporting
+4
Jobs Completed 67
Job Success Rate 97%
Usually Responds Within a week
Related Articles
All Quiet on the Southern Front
The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has elicited a range of reactions in South Korea, from indifference among the youth to concern among government officials and North Korean defectors. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called an emergency Cabinet meeting, while the Unification Ministry emphasized the importance of staying calm. Despite the potential instability in North Korea, many South Koreans remain apathetic. The government is trying to engage younger generations through social media and online platforms. North Korean defectors, meanwhile, are actively working to inform their compatriots about the realities of the regime, hoping to spark change. The future direction of North Korea under Kim Jong Un remains uncertain.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Center
Political View
Matjaz Tancic
Matjaz Tancic is a documentary photographer based between Ljubljana and Shanghai, China. He is specialised in portraiture and documentary photography for which he was awarded 3 Slovenia Press Photo awards a World Photography Organisation award in 3D category. His work was featured in National ...
Bosnian
Croatian
English
+3
Documentaries
Photography
Drone Footage
Business
Technology
Science & Environment
+7
Related Articles
Revolution in the Opera - North Korea
The first revolutionary opera in North Korea, Sea of Blood, premiered in 1971 and has remained largely inaccessible to foreign photographers until Matjaž Tančič's recent project. With the help of Koryo Studio, Tančič negotiated for two years to gain permission to photograph the opera, ultimately succeeding in capturing this unique art form. The project highlights the challenges of accessing and documenting North Korean culture, particularly art forms closely associated with the country's leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Legu Zhang
Legu Zhang is a journalist based in Washington, United States of America.
Chinese (Mandarin)
English
Journalism
Politics
Current Affairs
Breaking News
Jobs Completed 5
Related Articles
China Forgets Who Was the Real Aggressor in Korean War
The article critiques China's portrayal of the Korean War, highlighting the misleading narrative that China was the victor against U.S. aggression. It clarifies that the war began with North Korea's invasion of the South, backed by the Soviet Union, and that the U.S.-led United Nations forces intervened to defend South Korea. The article discusses the roles of key figures like Syngman Rhee, Kim Il Sung, and Mao Zedong, and the geopolitical dynamics involving the U.S., Soviet Union, and China. It emphasizes the historical context and motivations behind the actions of these nations and leaders during the Korean War.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Center
Political View