The Forgotten Political Elites of North Korea

This book comprises the biographies of the North Korean politicians whose actions played a pivotal role in shaping the formation of the country during the late 1940s, the Korean War of 195053 and the power struggles of the mid-1950s. Drawing from a rich array of archival material in Korean, Russian and oral testimonies, this book gives insight into the life stories of key figures such as Pang Hak-se, the founder of North Koreas secret police; Lee Sang-jo, a rebellious and idealistic North Korean ambassador; and Mun Il, the secretary of North Koreas first leader, Kim Il-sung. The biographies offer fresh perspectives into significant events in North Korean history such as the rise of Kim Il-sung and the reasons behind his selection as the nations leader. The book also reveals how crucial events during the Korean War, such as the Inchon Landing Operation and Chinas entry into the war, shed new light on North Korean history. Unveiling the lives and impact of influential politicians in a notoriously secretive nation, this book will appeal to a wide range of readers, including students and scholars of North Korea, the Korean War, the Cold War era, Asian history and those interested in the biographies of significant historical figures.