Andrei Lankov: North Korea Expert Blacklisted & Deported From Latvia

News that broke last week involving renowned North Korea expert Andrei Lankov has rattled the foreign community in South Korea. The Russian-born scholar was unexpectedly blacklisted by Latvian authorities during a recent trip to the Baltic state.

Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul and director of Korea Risk Group, the parent company of NK News, was detained by local police and immigration officers shortly before he was to give a lecture, titled “North Korea: What the Leaders Want and Fear,” in Riga, the Latvian capital. Latvian immigration authorities later deported him to Estonia.

Several Russian media outlets first reported the incident. Korean and English-language news sites subsequently covered the story, citing those reports. The news came as a surprise to many.

Born in Russia, Lankov is a dual citizen of Russia and Australia and is widely regarded as one of the leading North Korea experts, with rare first-hand experience in both Koreas. Before settling in South Korea in 2004 to teach at Kookmin University, he studied at North Korea’s elite Kim Il Sung University in 1985 and later earned a graduate degree in international relations from Leningrad State University. He has long been a frequent, trusted source for Korean and Western media.

A former intelligence official who handled counter-intelligence at South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) for decades until retiring in the mid-2010s described Lankov’s treatment as “uncommon.”

“For Latvian authorities, arresting an internationally known foreign scholar would not have been an easy decision, given the potential diplomatic fallout,” the former official said on condition of anonymity. “If South Korean security authorities were to arrest a foreigner — say, an American — we would typically consult the U.S. Embassy beforehand because the stakes for bilateral relations are high. The pressure would be even greater when dealing with a figure as influential as Lankov.”

Given the sensitivity of the case, the former NIS official said he believes Latvian authorities were likely tipped off by trusted sources, such as foreign intelligence agencies, or possessed evidence sufficient to view Lankov’s presence as a serious security concern.

Lankov himself attempted to downplay the political implications of the deportation, suggesting Latvian officials had overreacted.

“Their nervousness is somewhat understandable given the current tense circumstances, but what happened to me was nonetheless rather comical,” he told The Korea Times via text message on Feb. 26. He added that he went on to complete his lecture in Estonia and planned to continue his European lecture tour in Portugal.

Latvia, a Baltic country with a population of roughly 1.9 million, borders Russia to the east and Belarus to the south. Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has intensified security concerns there, prompting heightened security alert levels similar to those seen across much of Europe.

The Blacklisting and Latvian Law

Latvia’s foreign ministry confirmed that Lankov was blacklisted under existing law. According to Solvita Martinsone, head of the ministry’s communications group, the decision was made by Latvia’s foreign minister in accordance with Section 61 of the Immigration Law. This section outlines grounds for blacklisting foreign nationals, including ties to anti-state or criminal organizations or activities deemed to pose a threat to national security, public order or public safety.

Martinsone confirmed that Lankov has been permanently barred from entering the country. The specifics of the threat Lankov allegedly posed were not provided.

What Prompted the Action? Confirmed vs. Unclear

The precise reasons for Lankov’s blacklisting remain unclear. Latvian authorities have not publicly detailed the specific concerns that led to his deportation. Several theories have emerged, but concrete evidence is lacking.

Another theory points to Latvia’s heightened security posture in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Han Seong-jin, a former South Korean ambassador to Latvia, noted that Latvia’s historical relationship with Russia – having been part of the Soviet Union until the early 1990s – contributes to a persistent sense of insecurity. However, Han dismissed the idea that Lankov was targeted solely due to his ethnicity, pointing out that ethnic Russians and Russian-descended residents comprise a significant portion of Latvia’s population (roughly 20 to 24 percent).

The former NIS official suggested that Latvian authorities likely acted on intelligence from their own sources or from allied intelligence agencies. This remains unconfirmed.

A Scholar’s Background and Expertise

Andrei Lankov’s career has been deeply intertwined with the Korean peninsula. His unique background – having lived in North Korea as an exchange student in the 1980s and subsequently becoming a leading scholar of North Korean affairs – has made him a valuable resource for journalists and policymakers alike. He has taught at Kookmin University in Seoul since 2004. His expertise is particularly sought after given the limited access to and information about North Korea.

Lankov’s work focuses on the political, social, and economic dynamics of North Korea, offering insights into the motivations and fears of its leadership. His lecture in Riga, “North Korea: What the Leaders Want and Fear,” was intended to share these insights with a European audience.

Implications for Academic Freedom and Regional Security

The blacklisting of Andrei Lankov raises questions about academic freedom and the balance between security concerns and open exchange of ideas. Whereas governments have a legitimate right to protect their national security, the decision to bar a scholar from entering a country should be based on clear and compelling evidence of a genuine threat.

The incident likewise underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding Russia and individuals with ties to Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war. Latvia’s actions reflect a broader trend across Europe of increased scrutiny of Russian influence and a willingness to capture assertive measures to counter perceived threats. The Associated Press reported that Lankov was expelled from the country.

The case could also have implications for other scholars and experts who study sensitive geopolitical issues. It may lead to increased caution among academics and a reluctance to travel to countries with heightened security concerns. The Korea JoongAng Daily first reported the detention.