Deciphering North Korea with 'Pyongyangology'

The Keio University Faculty of Law has a long tradition of East Asian studies and has produced many researchers. Following in that tradition, I specialize in North Korean politics. To study a country where available information is limited, it is necessary to make complementary use of indirect clues. While fieldwork is not impossible, one cannot freely walk around or conduct interviews. The stories of North Korean defectors who have fled to South Korea can be biased, so I conduct interviews with caution. I also frequently travel to Seoul, Beijing, Washington, and Moscow to collect materials from related countries. However, you might be surprised to hear that the most reliable source is the analysis of public information released by North Korea itself. I meticulously decipher details such as the tone of newspapers published in Pyongyang, the frequency of specific vocabulary, and any changes in the individuals accompanying the supreme leader. This method is a play on the term Kremlinology, traditionally used for Soviet analysis, and could be called 'Pyongyangology.' Although it has its limits, it is an effective way to decipher their logic and vision.

Believing that other Asian nations should also modernize and achieve independence, Yukichi Fukuzawa invited students from the Korean Peninsula to Keio University. This was in 1881. Although conflicts with our neighboring countries are frequent, it is important not to be swayed by emotional arguments and to engage in constructive discussions. I sincerely hope that all of you, who will shape the future, will become worthy successors to this fine tradition.