Deciphering North Korea through "Pyongyangology"

East Asian studies at the Keio University Faculty of Law has a long tradition and has produced many researchers. I am part of that lineage, specializing in North Korean politics. To study a nation where available information is limited, it is necessary to use indirect clues in a mutually complementary manner. While fieldwork is not impossible, one cannot walk around freely or conduct interviews. Since the accounts of North Korean defectors who have fled to South Korea can be biased, interviews must be conducted with caution. I also frequently travel to Seoul, Beijing, Washington, and Moscow to collect materials from relevant countries. However, it might be surprising to hear that the most reliable method is the analysis of public information released by North Korea itself. I meticulously decipher things such as the tone of newspapers published in Pyongyang, how many times specific vocabulary appears, and whether there are changes in the lineup of people accompanying the supreme leader. This method should be called "Pyongyangology," a play on Kremlinology, which has traditionally been used for Soviet analysis. Although it has its limits, it is effective for deciphering their logic and vision.

Yukichi Fukuzawa believed that Asian countries should also modernize and achieve independence, and he invited international students from the Korean Peninsula to Keio University. This was in 1881. While there are many conflicts with neighboring countries, it is important to proceed with constructive discussions without being swayed by emotionalism. I sincerely hope that all of you, who will lead the future, will become the successors of this fine tradition.