The Hermit King

“Critical reading for anyone interested in the future of the Korean Peninsula . . . Refreshing, honest and steeped in the analytic judgements of a long-time watcher of the hermit kingdom.”—Evan Medeiros, Penner Family Chair in Asian Studies, Georgetown University

“Full of insights too often missed in the recent focus on North Korea's nuclear threat and Trump-Kim summitry. Lee not only highlights the history, culture and context that has shaped Kim Jong Un, but explains why Kim faces an enormous ‘Catch-22’ in pursuing economic transformation of his country while maintaining his grip on power. A stimulating and highly readable contribution.”—Kathleen Stephens, former US Ambassador to South Korea

“A breakout book from an author with more than thirty years of experience as one of Asia’s top security experts. No one in South Korea can tell the North Korean story to an American audience more compellingly than Chung Min Lee.”—Hyun In-taek, Professor of International Relations, Korea University and former Minister of Unification

“A comprehensive and up-to-date picture of North Korea under Kim Jong Un. If one wants to make sense of recent news concerning North Korea, this book is a must-read.”—Andrei Lankov, Professor of North Korean Studies, Kukmin University and author of The Real North Korea

“Kim Jong Un desperately wants to become North Korea’s Deng Xiaoping, but that would require him to loosen his family’s grip on power. Lee explores this dilemma and details the ongoing abuses of the failing North Korean system. Read this book if you want to understand North Korea and its formidable leader.”—Michael Fullilove, Director of the Lowy Institute

"A chilling portrait of a littler understood, often underestimated leader."—Lesley Williams, Booklist