Work

Introducing Career Transition Data on Elites in North Korea

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We introduce a novel dataset mapping career transitions of 505 elites in North Korea. Despite ample attention to granular data on elites, there is a lack of comprehensive information spanning state, party, military, and parastatal sectors. Granular rank and position data enable tracing intra- and inter-institutional elite transitions, opening new research avenues on North Korean elite studies and leader-elite dynamics in personalist autocracies. Exploiting within-regime threat-level variation during successions, we test hypotheses on dictators’ use of intra- versus inter-institutional elite management. We conclude with implications for new research directions in North Korean studies and authoritarianism literature.

Source: Journal of East Asian Studies

DOI: 10.1017/jea.2025.2

Authors: Esther E. Song, Jacob Reidhead, Jeongsue Park

Institutions: German Institute for Global and Area Studies, University of Bergen, National Chengchi University, Korea University

Language: English

Topic: Korean Peninsula Historical and Political Studies

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,550