While the US and South Korea seek to restart dialogue with North Korea, Europe's re-engagement has been slow. Given Pyongyang's growing cooperation with Russia, this trend seems unlikely to change any time soon, but risks Europe being sidelined in a future diplomatic process. bit.ly/4oAvCKT

As President Lee adjusts his North Korea policy, questions about Korean identity, unification and ROK constitutional claims are quickly rising to the surface. @dangudg.bsky.social examines the interplay of these factors in peacebuilding on the Korean Peninsula. bit.ly/4oxQUsK

North Korea's efforts to modernize and expand its Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center have made significant progress in 2025, helping enable the country grow its nuclear material production for its weapons program. www.38north.org/2025/11/yong...

North Korea is watching US escalation toward Venezuela, notes Rachel Minyoung Lee. This kind of "interference" echoes previous US regime change operations toward Iraq and Libya, reinforcing North Korea's conviction about its own nuclear deterrent. www.38north.org/2025/11/quic...

Questions abound about how US-ROK cooperation will look on South Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered subs and how China and other regional actors might respond. Yun Sun explains the mild reaction from Beijing so far, but with caveats. www.38north.org/2025/11/sout...

South Korea's concept of deterrence may be cautiously shifting in potentially transformative ways. Perry Choi discusses two Korean-language-only volumes that reveal how Seoul is redefining deterrence and testing the limits of America’s nuclear assurances. www.38north.org/2025/11/seou...

Amid allegations Russia has supplied North Korea with nuclear propulsion technology, @covertshores.bsky.social points to satellite imagery that may support these claims and discusses how this tech transfer could advance and accelerate Pyongyang's submarine program. www.38north.org/2025/11/russ...

North Korea's messaging in Russia and Belarus last week tells us more than strong relations, but a growing embrace of a Eurasian narrative, Rachel Minyoung Lee explains. www.38north.org/2025/11/nort...

North Korea continues to reveal new weapons systems, but the impact they have on the country's overall force capabilities is incremental at best. Vann Van Diepen discusses the latest developments. www.38north.org/2025/11/it-i...

If/when US-DPRK talks resume, there are looming questions about what "peace" on the Korean Peninsula actually looks like. General (ret.) Dan "Fig" Leaf offers some insights on the various considerations for ending the Korean War in a 38 North interview. www.38north.org/2025/10/endi...

Timing doesn't appear to be right for reviving US-DPRK diplomacy just yet, but thinking about new/modified approaches are still in order. NKDB's Unique Kim offers useful suggestions on how to move away from blanket bans on specific issues toward more agile options. www.38north.org/2025/10/beyo...

While North Korea's phishing and IT workers are studied closely, there is a critical cyber vulnerability for the US-ROK alliance that's not being talked about: HWP files. Perry Choi discusses how format hardening can address this operational vulnerability. bit.ly/3JpnKgE

Rachel Minyoung Lee catalogues key takeaways from the DPRK's coverage of the WPK 80th founding anniversary, and what it might imply of the country's outlook on its bilateral relationships.

Glyn Ford reviews Joel Wit's forthcoming book, Fallout: The Inside Story of America's Failure to Disarm North Korea.

"The DPRK IT worker threat is more than a fraud or sanctions evasion issue; it exposes systemic weaknesses in how identity is verified and managed across the global economy." Chandana Seshadri looks at DPRK IT worker typologies & identifies a path forward.

E-payments are becoming more popular in the DPRK due to the spread of smartphones, state pressures, and the app industry. @martynw.bsky.social analyzes the burgeoning industry.

TOMORROW‼️Join North Korean escapees Gyuri Kang & Hannah Oh, RFA's Rohit Mahajan, & the Stimson Center's Martyn Williams & Jenny Town for a discussion on information access and information freedom in the DPRK. In-person at the Stimson Center + online from 1-2:30 PM ET. www.stimson.org/event/inform...

🚨EVENT: Join us on Wed. Oct 8 from 1-2:30 PM ET for a deep dive into information access and information freedom in North Korea. Featuring Rohit Mahajan, @martynw.bsky.social, Hannah Oh & @jennytown.bsky.social.

Read the latest installment of Inspector O on 38 North.

Rachel Minyoung Lee analyzes DPRK state media's portrayal of Kim's visit to Beiing.

What did Kim Jong Un's visit to Beijing signal about the status of DPRK-China relations? Feng Zhang analyzes the event and both state media readouts.

This week on 38 North, David Hong discusses findings from the Korea Health Policy Project's webinar series on the DPRK's approach to public health and international engagement. bit.ly/4mSLAPV

Following the opening of Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort, Rüdiger Frank explores DPRK's shift from foreign to domestic tourism, its similarity to tourism policies in other authoritarian states, and the move toward domestic consumption as an economic driver.

Commercial satellite imagery of Sohae Satellite Launching Station shows that more than two years after construction on its seaport began, the jetty now includes a docking slip for large vessels.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's visit to Wonsan marked a shift in the Russia-DPRK relationship, showcasing that the war in Ukraine is not the only driver of cooperation. @dcsneider.bsky.social discusses what else is at play.

Commercial satellite imagery shows activity at Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort following a high-level visit from Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. Analysis by Martyn Williams, Peter Makowsky & Iliana Ragnone. bit.ly/3UlmdtO

In the final article in our 20x10 regional development policy series, Rachel Minyoung Lee analyzes the strategy behind the policy and how it is discussed in North Korean state media.

In a study based on 38 North's report on the DPRK's health app, Heeje Lee & Angie Sohn examine available disease-specific treatments, their costs, and the integration of Western and Koryo medicine.

Demolition of Mt. Kumgang Tourist Area continues, but not with any apparent urgency. Analysis by @martynw.bsky.social & @ilianaragnone.bsky.social

@thedailynk.bsky.social's Sang Yong Lee discusses how the DPRK's new car rental system reflects deeper tensions between state control and individual autonomy in North Korean society.

If reengaging with the DPRK, the US "should focus on building a more stable relationship through small, concrete steps: practical measures that reduce military tensions and manage hostile relations." Analysis by Shawn Rostker.

38 North's NK TechLab project obtained a database of North Korean laws updated through mid-2024. Learn more below:

How big is North Korea's ICBM force? Vann Van Diepen responds to the DIA's recent estimate that the DPRK deploys "10 or fewer" ICBMs.

38 North is excited to welcome the second cohort for our Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program! Read more about our 2025-2026 fellows here:

Rachel Minyoung Lee analyzes North Korea's Foreign Ministry statements on the Israel-Iran conflict, and what they might reveal about Pyongyang's strategy. bit.ly/3HXiKyQ

Nika Pasko discusses how "Moscow and Pyongyang’s bilateral ties in non-military sectors have been largely overlooked or dismissed, although have been driven by both governments under the guidance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty."

New North Korean laws obtained by 38 North "paint a picture of a food system that is undergoing significant changes." Peter Ward analyzes changes to the DPRK's Farms Act & Food Administration Act. bit.ly/4liwpPy

Commercial imagery of DPRK's Yongbyon supports IAEA assessments that the country is expanding uranium enrichment capabilities at the site. Recent signatures anlso indicate a new waste storage site & further dismantlement of the 50 MWe reactor.

Preparations for a ceremonial relaunch of North Korea's Choe Hyon destroyer appear to be underway at Rajin Shipyard. Analysis by @ilianaragnone.bsky.social & @martynw.bsky.social.

DPRK's Ministry of Health has launched a mobile app allowing users to consult practitioners, order medications, and read about medical conditions. Analysis by @martynw.bsky.social.

The DPRK's failed Choe Hyon destroyer launch calls into question North Korea’s shipbuilding capacity, future developments in its naval capabilities, and broader naval ambitions. Vann Van Diepen, J. James Kim, & Rachel Minyoung Lee discuss its implications.

@frankaum.bsky.social outlines how President Lee Jae-myung's North Korea policy should position South Korea to shape its own security.

DailyNK's Robert Lauler reviews Kim Yu-kyung's latest collection of short stories and their contribution to our understanding of contemporary life in the DPRK.

The latest in our 20x10 regional development series explores the types of goods produced from the initiative. Analysis by @martynw.bsky.social & @ilianaragnone.bsky.social.

Imagery from June 5 shows North Korea's second Choe Hyun Class destroyer is floating at Chongjin Port.

Commercial satellite imagery shows that the Choe Hyun class destroyer at Chongjin has been returned to an upright position.

Work on the road leading to the new Russia-DPRK bridge progresses, in line with reports that the deadline for the project's conclusion has been moved forward. Analysis by @martynw.bsky.social & Peter Makowsky.

At Chongjin, efforts continue to lift the Choe Hyun Class vessel out of the water after last week's failed launch attempt. Analysis by @ilianaragnone.bsky.social and Peter Makowsky.

How North Korean soldiers captured in the Russia-Ukraine war will be handled largely relies on the DPRK's involvement in the conflict. Capt. Sukjoon Yoon outlines the legal ins and outs.

North Korea launched its newest warship in Chongjin and apparently, it did not go well. With Kim Jong Un looking on, this happened: