Sung-Yoon Lee, a Wilson Center fellow and the author of the recently published book The Sister, offers insights into North Korea`s fourth-generation succession. Lee claims that Kim Ju Ae`s series of public appearances is part of Kim Yo Jong`s comprehensive strategy to rebrand the image of the Kim Jong Un regime. Considering Kim Ju Ae’s young age, Lee emphasizes that Kim Yo Jong is the only viable candidate for leadership succession for the next 15 years.
Lee further analyzes the potential impact of the upcoming U.S. presidential election on DPRK`s foreign policy and presents policy recommendations for the international community to address the regime`s human rights violations. Lee calls for stronger sanctions enforcement and the development of mechanisms to hold North Korean regime accountable for its "man-made" food crisis.
South Korea’s Official Development Assistance for Democracy Support
Sook Jong Lee, a Senior Fellow at the East Asia Institute and representative of the Asia Democracy Research Network, analyzes the role of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in promoting democracy and proposes innovative strategies for South Korea’s ODA policy. Lee suggests that South Korea’s ODA should support free elections, civil society, and media freedom; target new democracies where ODA can be most effective; and collaborate with civil society to mitigate political sensitivities and achieve synergistic effects.
