What's happened
NK News analyst Andrei Lankov was detained by Latvian police during a lecture on North Korea, then placed on a blacklist. He was later expelled, with authorities citing unspecified reasons. Lankov believes his views on North Korea's realism and his critical stance on Russia's Ukraine war led to the detention.
What's behind the headline?
The detention of Andrei Lankov highlights the increasing risks faced by foreign scholars in the Baltics, especially those with sensitive geopolitical views. Latvia's decision to blacklist him suggests a tightening of restrictions on foreign influence, possibly linked to his critical views on North Korea and Russia. This incident underscores the broader geopolitical climate where academic freedom is increasingly constrained by national security concerns.
Lankov's case reveals how governments are scrutinizing foreign experts, especially those discussing North Korea, which remains a sensitive topic. His detention may serve as a warning to other academics, signaling that even objective analysis can be perceived as problematic. The Latvian authorities' lack of official clarification fuels speculation that this is part of a broader effort to control narratives around regional security and foreign influence.
Looking ahead, this incident could lead to increased diplomatic tensions between Latvia and Russia, as well as between Latvia and countries hosting scholars like Lankov. It also raises questions about the future of academic exchanges in sensitive geopolitical contexts, where neutrality is increasingly difficult to maintain. The case exemplifies the growing intersection of security policies and academic freedom, with potential chilling effects on open discussion about North Korea and regional security issues.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Lankov was detained just minutes before a lecture and placed on a Latvian blacklist, with authorities not providing an official explanation. AP News confirms his detention and ongoing legal proceedings, noting that officials at Kookmin University are assessing the situation. Both sources highlight his background as a North Korea expert and critic of Russian policies, emphasizing the geopolitical sensitivities involved. The Independent suggests that Latvia's actions may be linked to his views on North Korea, which they describe as 'excessively objective.' AP notes the broader context of his criticism of Russia's war in Ukraine and his history of studying North Korea, adding depth to the understanding of why he might be targeted.
How we got here
Lankov, a Russian-Australian scholar, has studied North Korea extensively, living there in the 1980s and teaching in Seoul since 2004. His realist perspective on North Korea and criticism of Russia's policies have made him a controversial figure. His detention occurs amid heightened tensions in the Baltic region and ongoing scrutiny of foreign academics.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Andrei Nikolaevich Lankov is a Russian scholar of Asia and a specialist in Korean studies and Director of Korea Risk Group, the parent company of NK News and NK Pro.
-
Latvia, officially known as the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. Since Latvia’s independence in 1918, it has been referred to as one of the Baltic states.
-
Seoul, officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. Seoul has a population of 9.7 million people, and forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area with the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province.
-
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. The megacity stands on the Moskva River in the central portion of Western Russia, with a population estimated at 12.6 million residents within the city limits, while over 17 million residents in the urban
-
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.