Russian North Korea Expert Andrei Lankov Detained in Latvia During Lecture
Andrei Lankov, a prominent Russian scholar specialising in North Korean affairs who teaches at a university in Seoul, was detained by Latvian authorities while delivering a lecture, according to multiple Russian media reports. The incident occurred on Wednesday, 25th February 2026, with details emerging through Russian news outlets including RBK and Tass.
Details of the Detention and Blacklisting
The Russian business news outlet RBK stated that Lankov personally confirmed his detention to their reporters. He was apprehended by Latvian police during a lecture focused on North Korea and subsequently placed on an official blacklist by the country's authorities. Following initial police custody, Lankov reported he was handed over to immigration services, though the precise legal grounds for his detention remain unclear at this stage.
At approximately 11 p.m. Moscow time on the day of the incident, Lankov informed RBK that he was still being held. He noted that legal representatives were actively working on his case, with friends assisting with logistical support during the ongoing situation.
Academic and Professional Background
Officials at South Korea's Kookmin University, where Lankov serves as a professor of history, confirmed they were attempting to evaluate the circumstances surrounding his detention. A text message sent directly to Lankov's mobile phone was not immediately returned, adding to the uncertainty.
A native of Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg, Lankov has extensive experience with North Korea, having lived there for years as an exchange student during the 1980s. He has dedicated his academic career to studying the isolated nation. Following academic work in South Korea and Australia during the 1990s, he has taught in Seoul since 2004. The scholar holds dual Russian and Australian citizenship.
Scholarly Views and Previous Legal Issues
Throughout his career, Lankov has developed a reputation for his冷静, realist perspective on North Korea. He frequently characterises the regime as Machiavellian, adept at squeezing limited resources and manipulating major global powers to ensure its political survival. Notably, he has also expressed critical views regarding Russia's military actions in Ukraine and Moscow's utilisation of North Korean troops to sustain its campaign efforts.
In a previous legal matter, a Moscow court reportedly fined Lankov 10,000 rubles (approximately $130) in April 2025 for participating in activities associated with an organisation deemed "undesirable" under Russian law. At that time, Lankov told RBK he first learned about the case through media reports rather than official channels.
The detention of such a well-known academic figure during an educational lecture has raised questions about the circumstances and potential implications for academic freedom and international scholarly exchange.
