1. a) Who is the leader of North Korea?
b) What is the capital of North Korea?
c) What is the population of North Korea?

2. Kim Jong-il succeeded his father Kim il-Sung as dictator of North Korea. How is the transition of power to Kim Jong-il's son Kim Jong-un different from that of his father?

3. Kim Jong-un's name was mentioned for the first time in public by North Korea's state media (there is no free press in North Korea; citizens do not have internet access or cell phones either).
a) What announcement did the state media make about Kim Jong-un this week?
b) Before being introduced in the state media, what was the government doing to familiarize people with Kim Jong-il?

4. The ruling (communist) Workers Party is meeting this week in Pyongyang for the largest gathering in 30 years. What announcements regarding Kim Jong-un are expected to be made during the meeting?

5. Why are the U.S., China, Japan and Russia closely watching developments in Pyongyang?

6. Read the "Background" below. How would you describe the people's relationship with Kim Jong-il and the ruling party of North Korea?