As 2014 draws to an end, so to does another eventful year in North Korea.

While fallout from the execution of Jang Song Thaek was less significant than some analysts predicted, 2014 still saw several firsts in the world of North Korea news: unprecedented levels of transparency about a fatal Pyongyang building collapse in May, a never-before-seen push by diplomats to publicly address North Korea's human rights record, and a surprising day-long visit to Seoul by three senior North Korean officials in October.