Paper
Chung Min Lee
Book
The Hermit King: The Dangerous Game of Kim Jong Un
North Korea is poised at the crossroads of history. Which direction will its leader take?
Published on Nov 5, 2019
Source: All Points Books
“A chilling portrait of a little understood, often underestimated leader.”–Lesley Williamsy, Booklist Review
North Korea is poised at the crossroads of history. Which direction will its leader take?
The Kim Dynasty is the world’s longest-running family dictatorship ever since North Korea was founded in 1948. North Korea is one huge prison and a Mafia state where the Kim family has clung to power by silencing dissidents, ruling with an iron fist, and holding its neighbors hostage with nuclear weapons. If he really wants to change North Korea, Kim Jong Un has to dismantle North Korea totalitarian system but he can’t. As this central dilemma worsens, however, Kim’s status as a living God will inexorably weaken.
In The Hermit King, Asian geopolitical expert Chung Min Lee tells the story of the rise of the Kim Dynasty and its atrocities, motivations, and diplomatic goals. He also discusses the possible outcomes of its aggressive standoff with the world superpowers.
Kim Jong Un is not a crazed "Rocket Man" or a bumbling despot; he has been groomed since birth to take control of his country and stay in power at all costs. He is now at a fateful crossroads. Will he make good on decades of threats, liberalize North Korea and gain international legitimacy, or watch his regime crumble around him? Lee analyzes the likelihood and consequences of each of these possibilities, cautioning that in the end, Kim won’t be able to maintain totalitarian control. The Hermit King is a thoughtful and compelling look at the world’s most dangerous and complicated military-political problem.
Order NowAdvance Praise
“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 U.S. 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
About the Author
Chung Min Lee
Senior Fellow, Asia Program
Chung Min Lee is a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Asia Program. He is an expert on Korean and Northeast Asian security, defense, intelligence, and crisis management.
- Are Long-Term NATO–South Korea Defense Ties Possible? Transitioning From an Arms Exporter to a Trusted Defense Partner
- President Lee Jae Myung and the Resetting of Korea, Inc.Article
Chung Min Lee
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Southeast Asia’s Agency Amid the New Oil CrisisCommentary
There is no better time for the countries of Southeast Asia to reconsider their energy security than during this latest crisis.
Gita Wirjawan
- Fuel Crisis Forces Politically Perilous Trade-Offs in IndonesiaCommentary
As conflict in the Middle East drives up fuel costs across Asia, Indonesia faces difficult policy trade-offs over subsidies, inflation, and fiscal credibility. President Prabowo’s personalized governance style may make these hard choices even harder to navigate.
Sana Jaffrey
- Europe Doesn’t Like War—for Good ReasonsCommentary
The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are existential threats to Europe as a peace project. Leaders and citizens alike must reaffirm their solidarity to face up to today’s multifaceted challenges.
Marc Pierini
- In Its Iran War Debate, Washington Has Lost the Plot in AsiaCommentary
The United States ignores the region’s lived experience—and the tough political and social trade-offs the war has produced—at its peril.
Evan A. Feigenbaum
- The Iran War Is Uncovering the Weakness in U.S.-Gulf TiesCommentary
Neither the Abraham Accords nor the presence of large U.S. bases are enough to protect Arab Gulf states.
Marwan Muasher
