Witness to North Korea

Three Years on the Ground in the DPRK

Jerome Sauvage

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2026
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781350568464
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Korean History
• Index: Politics & International Relations

The People's Democratic Republic of Korea has become one of the most secretive and isolated societies in the world, with NGOs, UN agencies and even embassies being expelled from the country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Witness to North Korea, Jerome Sauvage presents a unique first-hand account of life in North Korea based on his time as a UN Special Resident coordinator in Pyongyang. Recounting his work organising and delivering humanitarian aid, Sauvage reflects on his experience working with North Korean citizens, the successes, the setbacks and the missed opportunities. The book books asks the question: how can the world rebuild its relationship with this secretive regime.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Untitled
• Series page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Dedication
• CONTENTS
• ILLUSTRATIONS
• PREFACE
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• NOTE ON SPELLING
• ABBREVIATIONS
• Part I ARRIVAL AND COLLISION
• Chapter 1 CALL TO NORTH KOREA Arrival in Pyongyang – Looking back at UNDP’s North Korea ‘scandal’ – Doubts about the UN, and my career – Our expertise in Asian Communist dictatorships
• Chapter 1.5 BEFORE THE RETURN: UNDP’S NORTH KOREAN SCANDAL
• Chapter 2 DIFFICULT START UNDP premises in bad shape – Doomed currency reform – Early pressure regarding old projects
• Chapter 3 A FAILED PEACE MISSION Personnel challenges – A first look at the humanitarian situation – Pascoe visit – UN flag
• Chapter 4 THE SINKING Sinking of Cheonan corvette – Introducing Leni – Trying to understand North Korea’s decision-making – Impact on UN Agencies – A word on UN sanctions
• Chapter 5 HEART OF DARKNESS First visit to the field – A drive to Hoechang – Rural energy –A Korean lunch
• Chapter 6 COUNTING SOULS A first look at the humanitarian situation – The first population census in ten years
• Chapter 7 ECONOMY OF HUNGER Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission – A conversation – The Public Distribution System and markets – A cooperative farm – UN expert on economics and politics of food
• Chapter 8 ASHES OVER YEONPYEONG Relationship breakthrough with Government over UNDP projects – Coal mine – North Korea bombs Yeonpyeong Island – A colleague is ‘citizen-arrested’ – Christmas and New Year among the international community – The UNDP team – Family tourism: Mount Kumgang, Kaesong, DMZ – Musings about this past year
• Part II WORKING WITHIN THE SYSTEM (2011) ENGAGEMENT AND COMPROMISE Attempts, Optimism and Creative Diplomacy
• Chapter 9 SETTLING IN Strengthening the office’s operations and programmes – Seeing project results in energy – Our home – Carolyn gets a car – A walk in Moran Park
• Chapter 10 SPROUTS Expanding the role – Jimmy Carter and former presidents visit – Maternal mortality – An orphanage – One colleague leaves – Back surgery
• Chapter 11 FLOODS AND PARADES International emergency response – Performances and parades – Kimchi in the office
• Chapter 12 WHOSE VOICE? Duties and bullies – The Millennium Development Goals Report – Addressing criticisms on human rights
• Part III EXIT AND REFLECTION
• Chapter 13 TRANSITION WITHOUT CHANGE Passing of Kim Jong Il – The Funeral – International reactions – Hopes for reforms – Getting ready to leave DPRK – Train from Beijing
• EPILOGUE
• APPENDIX
• NOTES
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• INDEX