Political Risk

BMI View: We believe that North Korea's attack on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong was ordered by Kim Jong Il and his son rather than by overzealous commanders. However, as Kim's... 2010-11-24

BMI View: Although North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's eldest son Jong Nam has publicly criticised his younger half-brother Jong Un's pending succession, he is unlikely to pose a credible... 2010-10-26

BMI View: China moved a step closer towards anointing a successor to President Hu Jintao by appointing Vice President Xi Jinping as vice chairman of the Communist Party's Central... 2010-10-19

BMI View: Kim Jong Un's promotion to the rank of General is an important first step towards his eventual succession, but it is far from clear that he will attain supreme power when... 2010-09-28

BMI View: The latest dispute between China and Japan demonstrates that despite deepening economic ties, the two countries will continue to face geopolitical obstacles to forging closer... 2010-09-20

BMI View: We believe that internal rivalry among North Korea's key power-holders and their organisations will increase over the next few years, as they jockey for influence in preparation... 2010-07-29

BMI View: North Korea's planned succession of leader Kim Jong Il by his son Kim Jong Un appears to be firmly in motion. However, we continue to believe that even if the younger Kim... 2010-06-29

The Grand National Party's (GNP) lacklustre performance in the June 2 local election bodes badly for the party's prospects in the national and presidential elections scheduled for... 2010-06-03

BMI View: The forthcoming session of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly may give clues as to internal power dynamics relating to Kim Jong Il's succession. Also worth watching... 2010-03-30

BMI View: While it now appears that North Korea was not responsible for the sinking of a South Korean warship on March 26, tensions in the West Sea will linger. This will sour the... 2010-03-29