JE Hoare is a scholar of Korean affairs and a co-editor of the annual series Korea: Politics, Economy and Society (Brill). As a diplomat, he was responsible for setting up the first British embassy in Pyongyang during 2001-02, and represented the country there for almost two years. During this period he had unique access to many aspects of the North Korean administration, the functioning of business and industry, and the country as a whole. He is the co-author (with Susan Pares) of North Korea in the 21st Century: An interpretative guide (Brill / Global Oriental, 2005)