James Pearson - The Japan Times

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James Pearson

For James Pearson's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS

May 26, 2017

Kim's rocket stars: the trio behind North Korea's missile program

After successful missile launches, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un often exchanges smiles and hugs with the same three men and shares a celebratory smoke with them.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS

May 21, 2017

North Korea's Unit 180, the cyberwarfare cell that worries the West

North Korea's main spy agency has a special cell called Unit 180 that is likely to have launched some of its most daring and successful cyberattacks, according to defectors, officials and internet security experts.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

May 14, 2017

Made in North Korea: As tougher sanctions loom, more local goods in stores

From carrot-flavored toothpaste and charcoal face masks to motorcycles and solar panels, visitors to North Korea say they are seeing more and more locally made products in the isolated country's shops and supermarkets, replacing mostly Chinese imports.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

May 3, 2017

As U.S. and China find common ground on North Korea, will Russia aid Kim regime?

When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent Lunar New Year greetings this year, the first card went to Russian President Vladimir Putin, ahead even of leaders from China and other allies of the isolated country, according to its official news agency.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Apr 21, 2017

Colas, cigarettes: North Korea airline diversifies as threats mount of sanctions

Even after disembarking from North Korea's Air Koryo plane at Pyongyang airport, it is difficult to miss the airline's brand. The Air Koryo conglomerate makes cigarettes and fizzy drinks, besides owning a taxi fleet and gas stations — and all have the same flying crane logo as the carrier.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Apr 10, 2017

'Dollars and euros': How a Malaysian firm helped fund North Korea's leadership

Over the past two decades, North Korean-born Han Hun Il, the founding chief executive of a Malaysian conglomerate, funneled money to the leadership in Pyongyang, a North Korean defector, speaking out for the first time, has said.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 27, 2017

North Korea spy agency runs arms operation out of Malaysia, U.N. says

It is in Kuala Lumpur's "Little India" neighborhood, behind an unmarked door on the second floor of a rundown building, where a military equipment company called Glocom says it has its office.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Feb 5, 2017

Former North Korean envoy tells of taking Kim's brother to Clapton concert

Two years ago, Thae Yong Ho, then North Korea's deputy ambassador in London, received an unexpected phone call from the ruling Workers' Party Central Committee in Pyongyang telling him to get ready to receive a very important e-mail.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Jan 25, 2017

North Korean elite turning against leader Kim, high-level defector says

The North Korean elite are outwardly expressing their discontent toward young leader Kim Jong Un and his government as more outside information trickles into the isolated country, North Korea's former deputy ambassador to London said on Wednesday.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Jan 4, 2017

North Korea's claim of ICBM test plausible, experts say

North Korea has been working through 2016 on developing components for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), making the isolated nation's claim that it was close to a test-launch plausible, international weapons experts said on Monday.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Aug 31, 2016

North Korea makes progress on missiles, but no evidence of nuclear warhead yet

North Korea has made considerable progress this year on weapons technology, including testing a submarine-launched missile for the first time, but it is still not clear if the isolated nation has developed a nuclear warhead.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Aug 8, 2016

Despite sanctions, North Korean prices hold steady as Kim leaves markets alone

Food and fuel prices in North Korea have remained largely stable under leader Kim Jong Un, despite tightening international sanctions to punish the North for its nuclear and ballistic missile tests, rare data from inside the isolated country shows.

ASIA PACIFIC

Jul 17, 2016

Strength of North Korea's military waning as Kim turns to nuclear weapons and cyberwarfare

Like many of the 1.2 million people serving in the army in North Korea, Eom Yeong Nam spent more time holding the wooden handle of a shovel than a Kalashnikov rifle during his years in the 501 Construction Brigade.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

May 18, 2016

North Korea's new ad men try out pitches to a growing consumer class

"Pyongyang Spirit: A drink you won't forget after drinking once," reads the text of an ad for a clear, vodka-like North Korean alcohol.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

May 6, 2016

Pyongyang skyline changes shape despite sanctions

The Pyongyang skyline is rising — and not just with the trophy structures that represent the North Korean state. Despite its political and economic isolation, the capital is in the midst of a building boom.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Apr 1, 2016

Swiss, Swedish troops remain at Korea DMZ to monitor 1953 truce

In a tiny mess hall set amid pine trees and rose bushes on the heavily fortified border between South and North Korea, a lunch of steak and asparagus is served. Outside, bird song competes with the drone of North Korean loudspeakers blaring propaganda.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Mar 31, 2016

North Korea in 'top-speed dash' for May congress, Kim's nuclear policy

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is poised to declare his signature ruling policy during a rare party congress in May and, despite tough new U.N. sanctions, it is likely to be the twin pursuit of nuclear prowess and economic development.

ASIA PACIFIC

Mar 13, 2016

U.S. serves up Korean 'rocket salad' in war drill response to North's threats

There's more to do in South Korea's heavily forested Rocket Valley, just a few kilometers from the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, than fire rockets. In quieter times, people tend vegetable patches along ice-cold streams.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Mar 9, 2016

China-made truck used by North Korea in new artillery system

North Korea is using Chinese-made trucks in a new mobile artillery system showcased five days ago, according to photographs reviewed by Reuters, underlining the difficulty in enforcing U.N. sanctions against the isolated state.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Jan 19, 2016

Nuclear test seen as move to boost Kim's legitimacy as Pyongyang readies for rare party congress

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's recent nuclear weapon test was designed to boost his domestic legitimacy ahead of a rare ruling party conference in May that could formalize market-based economic experiments in the isolated country, analysts say.

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