Analysis | NK News
NK News Logo
October 08, 2026Oct 08, 2026

Analysis

Leading experts analyze recent events and affairs involving North Korea

Expert roundup: Can Trump’s outreach bring Kim Jong Un back to the table?

Expert roundup: Can Trump’s outreach bring Kim Jong Un back to the table?

Former US officials weigh risks of scaling back joint drills, Pyongyang’s leverage and prospects for another summit

Expert roundup: Can Trump’s outreach bring Kim Jong Un back to the table?
Shreyas Reddy
Shreyas Reddy August 24, 2026
Kim Yo Jong’s latest tirade keeps South Korea out of its strategy for Trump

Kim Yo Jong’s latest tirade keeps South Korea out of its strategy for Trump

Her recent statements leave room for leader-level diplomacy with Washington but sidelines Seoul.

Kim Yo Jong’s latest tirade keeps South Korea out of its strategy for Trump
Joon Ha Park
Joon Ha Park | Shreyas Reddy August 24, 2026
The Kremlin veteran tasked with keeping Russia-North Korea’s alliance on track
NK PRO

The Kremlin veteran tasked with keeping Russia-North Korea’s alliance on track

Andrei Podelyshev returns to Pyongyang as weapons, troops and wartime demands reshape bilateral ties

The Kremlin veteran tasked with keeping Russia-North Korea’s alliance on track
Chris Monday
Chris Monday August 24, 2026
Pro-North Korea newspaper chief in Japan returns to foreign-policy polemics

Pro-North Korea newspaper chief in Japan returns to foreign-policy polemics

Choson Sinbo editor Kim Ji Yong resumed writing about Pyongyang’s harder line on nuclear weapons

Pro-North Korea newspaper chief in Japan returns to foreign-policy polemics
Seung-Yeon Chung
Seung-Yeon Chung August 21, 2026
What to make of Trump’s oddly specific claim that North Korea has 57 nukes

What to make of Trump’s oddly specific claim that North Korea has 57 nukes

US president’s count broadly fits many estimates, but Seoul’s higher tally highlights uncertainty over the DPRK arsenal

What to make of Trump’s oddly specific claim that North Korea has 57 nukes
Shreyas Reddy
Shreyas Reddy August 20, 2026
Kim Jong Un positioned in the driver’s seat as Trump races for a summit

Kim Jong Un positioned in the driver’s seat as Trump races for a summit

Experts say the prospect of a meeting grows, but Pyongyang will demand sustained U.S. concessions long beforehand

Kim Jong Un positioned in the driver’s seat as Trump races for a summit
Joon Ha Park
Joon Ha Park August 20, 2026
North Korea’s imports of sanctioned goods rise as China trade slows
NK PRO

North Korea’s imports of sanctioned goods rise as China trade slows

July customs data show more banned machinery and metal products, while wig trade drives rebound in exports

North Korea’s imports of sanctioned goods rise as China trade slows
Anton Sokolin
Anton Sokolin August 20, 2026
How bribery became rooted in North Korea’s military and the challenges of reform
NK PRO

How bribery became rooted in North Korea’s military and the challenges of reform

Bribes in the military can be used to avoid punishment or have disciplinary infractions overlooked.

How bribery became rooted in North Korea’s military and the challenges of reform
Michael Bosack
Michael Bosack August 19, 2026
Trump revives playbook on North Korea diplomacy, but Kim holds more cards now
NK PRO

Trump revives playbook on North Korea diplomacy, but Kim holds more cards now

Reduced military drills may reopen the door to talks, but Pyongyang has fewer incentives to engage than in 2018

Trump revives playbook on North Korea diplomacy, but Kim holds more cards now
Shreyas Reddy
Shreyas Reddy August 18, 2026
Growing Russia-North Korea trade may not yet transform DPRK’s economy
NK PRO

Growing Russia-North Korea trade may not yet transform DPRK’s economy

DPRK-Russia commercial ties are becoming more visible, but the data shows gains so far remain in heavy industries

Growing Russia-North Korea trade may not yet transform DPRK’s economy
Gabriella Wangmu Zhaxi
Gabriella Wangmu Zhaxi August 17, 2026