The Wall Street Journal's depiction of North Korea as a surprising economic success story is deeply misleading because it places disproportionate emphasis on Pyongyang's carefully managed image and the regime's growing ties with Russia and China while overlooking the deeper vulnerabilities that continue to undermine its long-term stability.

North Korea’s early elevation of Kim Ju Ae suggests that concerns over Kim Jong Un’s longevity may be driving an accelerated and unusually risky dynastic succession.