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Cho Han-bum

(趙漢範)

Cho Han-bum

趙漢範

The latest news and top stories on Cho Han-bum. Known for his cautious interpretation of North Korea's actions as 'reflexive', he is a prominent expert on North Korean affairs and unification. As a Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification since 1995, he researches socialist system transition and unification issues. He holds a PhD in Sociology and lectures at Korea University. His responsibilities include directing the Research Council on Unification Policy and overseeing the DMZ world eco-peace park project. He has advised presidential and government committees, and authored works on economic system transition and unification costs.

The remains of a drone North Korea claims breached its airspace on January 4. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP

South Korea

Crossing a line: did military spies help a student fly drones into North Korea?

What began as a student’s claim of hunting radioactive waste has spiralled into a scandal linking military spies to dangerous border flights.

20 Jan 2026 - 5:26PM

North Korea

North Korea revives drone claims in rebuff to Seoul’s outreach

10 Jan 2026 - 11:51AM

North Korea

Why North Korea’s Kim is hailing ‘invincible’ Russia ties in new year message

7 Jan 2026 - 2:36PMvideocam

North Korea

North Korea’s nuclear arsenal shows ‘exponential growth’ in new satellite images

Renovations at Yongbyon seemingly prove Kim Jong-un is serious about expanding his arsenal – but Seoul has a bunker-busting response.

25 Nov 2025 - 12:26PM

Yongbyon Nuclear Research Facility complex pictured from space in 2021. Photo: 2021 Maxar Technologies/AFP

North Korea

‘Hostile to the end’: North Korea’s shock at US subs approval sinks talk hopes

Now the North sees the South as a ‘quasi-nuclear weapons state’ with US help, a fourth Trump-Kim summit appears less likely than ever.

19 Nov 2025 - 4:24PMvideocam

South Korea

Seoul’s backing of UN resolution tests limits of inter-Korean dialogue

Lee Jae-myung’s liberal government defies expectations of a retreat, in a move likely to trigger an angry reaction from Pyongyang.

14 Nov 2025 - 5:53PMvideocam

North Korea

Reign check: is North Korea’s Kim Jong-un preparing daughter to take power?

South Korea’s intelligence agency says the 12-year-old Ju-ae is consolidating her position as a potential heir but analysts are doubtful.

6 Nov 2025 - 11:37AMvideocam

North Korea

Pyongyang warns denuclearisation ‘a pipe dream’ before Seoul-Beijing Apec talks

North Korea’s statement aimed to prevent China and South Korea from placing denuclearisation on top of their summit agenda, according to analysts.

1 Nov 2025 - 5:57PMvideocam

North Korea

North Korea welcomes Trump to Apec with a nuclear-capable ‘Fire Arrow’ launch

Analysts view the ‘Fire Arrow’ missile launch, timed just before Apec, as a calculated bid to strengthen Pyongyang’s negotiating position.

29 Oct 2025 - 4:09PMvideocam

North Korea

US-North Korea flash summit remains long shot despite Trump’s open offer

Though a meeting with Trump would look good for Kim, the North Korean leader’s focus is on alliances with China and Russia, analysts say.

27 Oct 2025 - 9:28AMvideocam

North Korea

North Korea prepares for Apec – with a ballistic missile launch

The launch, Pyongyang’s first in months, is seen by some as an invite for Trump to meet, by others as a test run for a Russian arms deal.

22 Oct 2025 - 3:26PM

North Korea

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un signals nuclear clout to US before China visit

Kim’s visit to several nuclear and engine facilities is to show the North can launch missiles all the way to the US, analysts say.

2 Sep 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

South Korea

Trump tests South Korea’s Lee by demanding ownership of US military base land

The lack of a joint statement after Lee’s summit with Trump highlights unresolved issues between the two allies, analysts say.

26 Aug 2025 - 3:33PMvideocam

South Korea

As Lee meets Trump, what can a ‘turtle ship’ do for the US-South Korea alliance?

Seoul’s shipbuilding expertise is expected to be a key bargaining chip when the two presidents meet on Monday.

21 Aug 2025 - 6:40PM

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (left) and US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP

North Korea

Unpacking North Korea’s ‘unusual’ reaction to this year’s US-South Korea drills

Observers say they’re surprised by Pyongyang’s shift in tone towards the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which begin on August 18.

12 Aug 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

South Korean soldiers aim their machine guns during the annual US-South Korea military drills in 2017. Photo: Yonhap/AP