“A fascinating story that sheds light on North Korea and the Southern African regimes that fought for independence. Well-written and full of captivating detail, but maintaining a clear overarching analysis, this is an excellent contribution to our study of liberation movements and South-South relations.” — Sara Rich Dorman, Senior Lecturer in African Politics, University of Edinburgh, and author of Understanding Zimbabwe: From Liberation to Authoritarianism
“A gripping read, full of illuminating detail about the period of decolonization and the Cold War. As the first comprehensive historical study of Africa-North Korea relations, this is a unique book.'” — Christopher J. Lee, Harvard University, and editor of Making a World after Empire: The Bandung Moment and Its Political Afterlives
“A pioneering study of tremendous value. Exploring a wealth of primary sources, it offers fascinating insights into the North Korean engagement with Southern Africa. The support of liberation movements created lasting bonds and deep loyalties as a business model for the present.” — Henning Melber, author of Understanding Namibia and The Long Shadow of German Colonialism
“North Korea is often depicted as isolated and friendless. This illuminating book helps to debunk this misconception by presenting the fascinating history of North Korea’s relations with Southern Africa. Recommended for anyone seeking new insights into North Korea’s links with the outside world.” — Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Professor of International Relations, King’s College London, and author of Shrimp to Whale: South Korea from the Forgotten War to K-Pop and co-author of Korea: A New History of South and North
“This richly researched and lucidly written book forges a new path in international history. Essential reading for anyone interested in this subject.” — Alanna O’Malley, Associate Professor of International History, Leiden University, and author of The Diplomacy of Decolonisation: America, Britain and the United Nations during the Congo Crisis 1960-1964
“This is a good book that focuses on the important but largely unresearched area of Africa’s political and historical relations with North Korea. I recommend it to scholars and practitioners in strategy, politics, and international relations.” — Chibuike Uche, Stephen Ellis Professor of the Governance of Finance and Integrity in Africa, African Studies Centre, Leiden University
“An excellent contribution to the literature on African liberation struggles during the 20th century, which avoids Cold War and anti-communist clichés.” — Liberation
“Van der Hoog’s excellent book on North Korea’s presence in southern Africa is an impressive piece of historical research.” — International Affairs
“Tycho van der Hoog’s tightly researched book sheds light on a generally overlooked relationship.” — African Business
“Reveals how the DPRK exported arms, ideology and art to Southern Africa.” — NK News
“The kind of book that sheds light on aspects of contemporary international relations that are often overlooked in mainstream commentaries. . . In this fascinating book on North Korea’s role in southern Africa’s liberation and its continuing involvement in African affairs, van der Hoog provides insights into why African states and North Korea have remained “comrades beyond the Cold War”.”–Survival
About the Author
Tycho van der Hoog is Assistant Professor of International Security Studies at the Netherlands Defence Academy. His work focuses on African international relations. He holds a PhD from the African Studies Centre of Leiden University, and has conducted extensive field research in Africa, Europe, the United States and South Korea.
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