North Korea

A Sporting Event with Diplomatic Undertones Basketball and diplomacy intertwined in an unusual event as former basketball players Nigel Hayes and Deyonta Davis recently visited North Korea. Both Hayes and Davis, previously part of the Lithuanian basketball team Žalgiris Kaunas, took part in an exhibition match organized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the North Korean Basketball Federation. The visit, however, extended beyond the basketball court, with the pair touring various parts of the country. Nigel Hayes: A Social Media Controversy As a part of his North Korean experience, Nigel Hayes shared his insights and observations through social media. He expressed admiration for the country's cleanliness and technological advancements, and noted the warm reception they received from the local populace. His posts, however, triggered a wave of criticism. Detractors argued that his portra...

  Devising Follow-Up Measures Post Russia Visit Following his recent visit to Russia, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un convened the first formal meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's influential politburo. The purpose of the meeting revolved around strategizing follow-up actions related to Kim's recent diplomatic travels. The state media, however, did not disclose specific details about the meeting or the follow-up measures discussed. (Read Also: BRICS Expansion: Russia Leads the Way in Welcoming New Members)  A Closer Look at the Politburo Meeting At the Politburo meeting held in Pyongyang on September 20, 2023, Kim Jong Un was center stage. It is important to note that independent journalists were not given access to cover th...