September 30, 2023

How a long-dead independence hero became embroiled in inter-Korean tensions

By Andrei Lankov, September 29, 2023
Image Credit: NARA & DVIDS Public Domain Archive

Stranger than fiction: When North Korea kidnapped movie stars for Kim Jong Il

By Oliver Jia, September 25, 2023
Image Credit: South Korean actress Choi Eun-hee and director Shin Sang-ok | Image: Photo from "The Lovers and the Despot," courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
Podcasts
Driving change in North Korea through people, not the regime – Ep. 308

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Ask a North Korean: What is it like to serve in North Korea’s army reserves?

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COLUMN

How a long-dead independence hero became embroiled in inter-Korean tensions

Hong Beom-do, celebrated for fighting Japanese Empire, is now at center of South Korean debate over his communist ties

How a long-dead independence hero became embroiled in inter-Korean tensions
Author Thumbnail
Andrei LankovSep 29, 2023
How a long-dead independence hero became embroiled in inter-Korean tensions
Podcasts
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Driving change in North Korea through people, not the regime – Ep. 308

Sokeel Park of Liberty in North Korea discusses need to focus more on DPRK citizens and not just country’s nukes

What to make of Kim Jong Un’s second summit with Vladimir Putin – Ep. 307

The NK News team reviews North Korean leader’s whirlwind tour through Russian Far East, the potential fallout and more

Lessons from four decades shaping US policy on North Korea – Ep. 306

Sydney Seiler discusses his work as a negotiator and intelligence officer, plus Kim Jong Un travels to Russia

Why Kim Jong Un might want to discuss weapons sales with Putin – Ep. 305

The NK News team discusses North Korea-Russia military cooperation, US-ROK drills, DPRK easing border controls and more

Inside the UN Panel of Experts overseeing North Korea sanctions – Ep. 304

Former panel head Eric Penton-Voak explains how to decipher its reports on violations of DPRK sanctions regime

How one activist helps North Koreans grow their own food – Ep. 303

Tim Peters of Helping Hands Korea talks about sending seeds to the DPRK and supporting North Koreans escapees

Get Behind The Headlines

To purge, or not to purge: Why Kim Jong Un forgives some North Korean officials

To purge, or not to purge: Why Kim Jong Un forgives some North Korean officials

Experts say leader can be lenient toward mistakes by those he trusts, but ruthless when they cross political red lines

To purge, or not to purge: Why Kim Jong Un forgives some North Korean officials
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James FretwellSep 28, 2023
State media review: North Korea dubs Yoon ‘diplomatic idiot’ over Russia remarks
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State media review: North Korea dubs Yoon ‘diplomatic idiot’ over Russia remarks

An in-depth analysis of criticism of Yoon’s UN speech, Chongryon at Asian Games, fall harvest progress and more

State media review: North Korea dubs Yoon ‘diplomatic idiot’ over Russia remarks
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Seung-Yeon ChungSep 28, 2023
The days of ROK politicians visiting North Korea may be a thing of the past

The days of ROK politicians visiting North Korea may be a thing of the past

Trips to DPRK have long been way to win approval, but Lee Jae-myung’s legal troubles suggest costs now outweigh risks

The days of ROK politicians visiting North Korea may be a thing of the past
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Justin YeoSep 28, 2023
North Korea faces daunting challenge in modernizing its archaic naval fleet
NK PRO

North Korea faces daunting challenge in modernizing its archaic naval fleet

Deployment of nuclear arms and a few new ships can’t overcome antiquated technology and decades of poor defense planning

North Korea faces daunting challenge in modernizing its archaic naval fleet
How North Korea and Russia could build their own crypto ‘shadow economy’
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How North Korea and Russia could build their own crypto ‘shadow economy’

DPRK hackers’ use of Russian exchanges underlines danger of greater cyber cooperation to evade sanctions, experts say

How North Korea and Russia could build their own crypto ‘shadow economy’
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Shreyas ReddySep 26, 2023
Fur hats and limo talks: Behind the scenes of Russian efforts to wow Kim Jong Un

Fur hats and limo talks: Behind the scenes of Russian efforts to wow Kim Jong Un

Moscow pulled out all the stops for North Korean leader, using flattery and gifts to bolster ties and send signals

Fur hats and limo talks: Behind the scenes of Russian efforts to wow Kim Jong Un
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Anton SokolinSep 25, 2023
North Korean launchpad busy despite Putin’s vow to help launch DPRK satellites
NK PRO

North Korean launchpad busy despite Putin’s vow to help launch DPRK satellites

Activity visible at Sohae spaceport suggests DPRK will carry out third spy satellite launch as planned in October

North Korean launchpad busy despite Putin’s vow to help launch DPRK satellites
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Colin ZwirkoSep 25, 2023
Stranger than fiction: When North Korea kidnapped movie stars for Kim Jong Il

Stranger than fiction: When North Korea kidnapped movie stars for Kim Jong Il

Abduction of famed South Korean director and starlet ex-wife is testament to how far regime will go to get what it wants

Stranger than fiction: When North Korea kidnapped movie stars for Kim Jong Il
Author Thumbnail
Oliver JiaSep 25, 2023
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