Introducing Career Transition Data on Elites in North Korea

Publication Details

Authors: Esther Song
Jacob Reidhead
Jeongsue Park
Status / Format: Published / Journal Article
Citation: Song, E. E., Reidhead, J., & Park, J. (2025). Introducing Career Transition Data on Elites in North Korea. Journal of East Asian Studies , 25 (1), 141-154.
Year / Venue: 2025 / Journal of East Asian Studies
Volume / Issue / Pages: 25 / 1 / 141-154
Publisher / DOI / Document: View published article

Publication Content

Abstract

We introduce a novel dataset mapping career transitions of 505 elites in North Korea. Despite ample attention to granular data on elites, there is a lack of comprehensive information spanning state, party, military, and parastatal sectors. Granular rank and position data enable tracing intra- and inter-institutional elite transitions, opening new research avenues on North Korean elite studies and leader-elite dynamics in personalist autocracies. Exploiting within-regime threat-level variation during successions, we test hypotheses on dictators’ use of intra- versus inter-institutional elite management. We conclude with implications for new research directions in North Korean studies and authoritarianism literature.

Lab Connections

Approaches: Networks & Organizations
Databases: North Korea Politics
Research Streams: Elite Management in Autocracies
Contributors: Chih-yi Su 蘇芷儀
Connie Wang 王澄嘉
Emily Kao
Jeongsue Park
Jongsung Shin
Grants: 2023 - 1Y - NCCU - Elite Personnel Management in North Korea, 1980-2022 — 2023
Relevant Literature: See literature for this publication in Zotero.