North Korean Women in Power: Daughters of the Sun

$32.50

Meet the Daughters of the Sun

The North Korean Women in Power is the first field report on North Korea written by a South Korean female reporter in English. Chun Su-jin, who refers to herself as a “Korean-Korean (South Korean nationality with a North Korean heritage),” introduces four North Korean women who create a complete picture of Chairman Kim Jong-un: the one and only blood to Chairman Kim, Kim Yo-jong; the First Lady with pride and dignity, Ri Sol-ju; a seasoned career diplomat, Choe Son-hui; and a de facto protocol officer, Hyun Song-wol.

North Korea is a small, isolated country ruled by the authoritarian leader Kim Jong-un. They have locked the door and claim that they have nuclear weapons. They continually send signals to the world—mainly to the United States and South Korea—by making statements and shooting missiles. It may be inevitable for North Korea to be considered an incomprehensible strange country but Chun tells us that they need to be properly understood for the safety and security of the world and the key to understand this hermit kingdom is the people who move the regime: the leader Kim Jong-un and his female entourage.

There are quite a few books on North Korea, but not from a Korean-Korean. This book is the first of its kind from a South Korean point of view targeting English-speaking readership. This is the product of the author’s nearly 20 years of experience meeting and writing about North Korea. She has talked to tens of dozens of sources for this book alone, not to mention many others she met while working as a news reporter. This book will allow readers to develop more interest in and understanding of the enigmatic country and its people.

Highly Recommended by the Following Experts

“Chun Su-jin explores a dimension of North Korea’s political elite structure little discussed–key women leaders in powerful positions. A rare and fascinating insight into the modern day Kim hermit kingdom.”

~John Hamre, CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies

“Chun Su-jin is a veteran reporter with a sharp eye and a careful ear, both of which are required to capture elusive insights the role of North Korean women in power.”

~Scott Snyder, Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on U.S.-Korea Policy

“Chun Su-jin has creatively pierced the facade of North Korean decision making placing a handful of women at the center of this story. Her diligent reporting and personal observations enrich our understanding of the Kim dynasty and of the forces shaping it. Both witty and insightful, this volume deserves a wide audience in Korea and abroad.”

~Jonathan Pollack, The Brookings Institution

“Chun Su-jin, a first-class writer, has brought forth great amounts of information about a dark country that is far from being open to the world. At the same time, the author shows understanding.”

~Toby Smith, former writer/editor with the Albuquerque Journal and the Korea JoongAng Daily

“Little is known about the ladies in power of North Korea, and this book, written by a South Korean reporter who could have been North Korean, is a great–and fun–guiding light.”

~Kim Byung-yeon, Professor of the Seoul National University

“This book is the first of its kind in many senses. It was written by a South Korean woman on North Korean women. It also was written–not translated–in English by a Korean writer for a global audience. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about the lives of North Koreans, particularly North Korean women.”

~Daniel Tudor, Writer, co-author of North Korea Confidential

“As a diplomat who devoted career to the two Koreas, I strongly recommend this book to those who are at the Foggy Bottom. Or, anyone who is interested in learning who the North Koreans really are.”

~Shin Bong-kil, Chair Professor of the University of North Korean Studies