North Korea's true victors — North Korea is achieving its objectives, but the successes belong not to leader Kim Jong Un, but to the country's elite cadres, according to Joseph Kim, a North Korean defector and program manager for global policy at the George W. Bush Institute. In an opinion piece for NK News, Kim argues that the regime's ability to maintain power and pursue its goals stems from the entrenched interests and capabilities of these internal groups, rather than solely from Kim Jong Un's personal leadership.

Kim asserts that these elites, who benefit directly from the current system, are the true drivers behind North Korea’s resilience and its ability to navigate international pressure. Their vested interests ensure the continuation of policies that serve them, even if they are detrimental to the broader population or international stability.

The author suggests that focusing solely on Kim Jong Un overlooks the complex internal power structures that perpetuate the regime. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending North Korea’s strategic behavior and for developing effective foreign policy approaches.