FORMER NORTH KOREAN COMMANDO WHO TRIED TO KILL SK PRESIDENT DIES AS PASTOR
Kim Shin-jo, one of only two survivors from a 31-member North Korean commando team sent to assassinate South Korea's president in 1968, died in early April 2025.
After being captured following the failed raid, Kim eventually became a South Korean citizen and later a Protestant pastor in the Seoul area.
His life represented a dramatic transformation, moving from being a trained agent of the North Korean regime to a religious figure in the South.
His story often resurfaced during periods of inter-Korean tension, highlighting the human consequences of the division and conflict.
INFLATION CRISIS IN NORTH KOREA
Outdoor market in South Korea selling dried seafood.
Like the rest of the world, North Korea is grappling with soaring inflation, with prices of essential goods like rice, corn and cooking oil increasing by over 20 percent.
Informal markets, known as jangmadang, play a crucial role in the economy, but they are also affected by the price hikes. Many citizens rely on these markets for daily necessities, and the rising costs have made basic goods increasingly unaffordable.
Since people's state-determined wages have remained stagnant, many families are to cut back on expenses, with some resorting to cheaper alternatives like corn porridge to survive.
Although the authorities have launched aggressive measures to control price increases, targeting merchants who arbitrarily raise prices, citizens are frustrated with the government’s approach, which focuses on punishment rather than addressing the root causes of inflation.
The scarcity of essential goods has led to panic buying among residents, further driving up prices.
SHADOWS OF SHAME AMONG NORTH KOREAN OFFICIALS ABROAD
North Korean officials stationed overseas often face a deep sense of shame and embarrassment about their identity, stemming from the stark contrast between their country's propaganda and the realities they observe in foreign nations.
This dissonance is exacerbated by the need to wear badges featuring the images of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il to symbolize loyalty and allegiance, which draws unwanted attention and ridicule.
It is reported that some officials in China have been seen taking off their badges when entering restaurants or leaving official events.
In certain situations, these officials have even pretended to be South Korean to avoid uncomfortable interactions. This behavior is also partly driven by the perception that South Koreans in China are treated as wealthy, whereas North Korea is “one of the poorest countries in the world.”
NORTH KOREAN SOLDIERS CROSS THE DMZ SPARKING STANDOFF
Around 10 North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line (“MDL”) into South Korean territory within the Demilitarized Zone (“DMZ”) on April 8, 2025. The soldiers returned to North Korea after South Korea issued warning broadcasts and fired warning shots.
The reason for the border crossing remains uncertain, though South Korean officials assessed that the intrusion might not have been deliberate, as the area is densely wooded and MDL signs are not always clearly visible.
The heavily fortified DMZ has been a site of occasional confrontations and bloodshed. This latest incident adds to the ongoing tensions between the two Koreas, which have been heightened by North Korea's missile tests and its alignment with Russia.
The South Korean military closely monitored the situation and took necessary measures in accordance with operational procedures, but the incident underscores the fragile security dynamics along the border and the potential for accidental escalations.
