March 28, 2024

About the author

Bryan Betts

Bryan Betts is the Managing Editor of NK News. He has covered the Koreas for Yonhap News Agency, The Diplomat and Korea Exposé and previously worked as a newspaper reporter in South Carolina and New Mexico.

More articles by 'Bryan Betts'

Just 12 North Korean defectors reached the South from July to September

Just 12 North Korean defectors reached the South from July to September

COVID restrictions have made it nearly impossible to escape and reach the ROK, cutting off a key source of information

Just 12 North Korean defectors reached the South from July to September
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts October 22, 2021
North Korea says it’s COVID-free, shares ‘best practices’ for virus surveillance

North Korea says it’s COVID-free, shares ‘best practices’ for virus surveillance

World Health Organization reports the DPRK tested 702 additional people but has yet to introduce vaccines

North Korea says it’s COVID-free, shares ‘best practices’ for virus surveillance
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts October 18, 2021
North Korea tests 667 more people for COVID, reports no positive cases

North Korea tests 667 more people for COVID, reports no positive cases

The DPRK has now tested 40,700 people in total, as Kim Jong Un demands 'flawlessness' in anti-epidemic measures

North Korea tests 667 more people for COVID, reports no positive cases
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts October 4, 2021
Total tested for COVID-19 in North Korea exceeds 40,000

Total tested for COVID-19 in North Korea exceeds 40,000

DPRK has yet to report a single case as it stresses ‘even a tiny failure is not tolerable’ in epidemic prevention

Total tested for COVID-19 in North Korea exceeds 40,000
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts September 27, 2021
North Korea reports no COVID cases as total tested nears 40,000

North Korea reports no COVID cases as total tested nears 40,000

Release of latest data follows mask-free military parade, amid apparent confidence in pandemic measures

North Korea reports no COVID cases as total tested nears 40,000
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts September 20, 2021
North Korea blames US anti-DPRK rhetoric for preventing return to dialogue

North Korea blames US anti-DPRK rhetoric for preventing return to dialogue

State media commentary accuses US of ‘double-dealing’ for criticizing its missile test but not South Korea’s

North Korea blames US anti-DPRK rhetoric for preventing return to dialogue
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts September 17, 2021
North Korea self-reports it’s still COVID-free after declining Sinovac vaccines

North Korea self-reports it’s still COVID-free after declining Sinovac vaccines

World Health Organization says DPRK tested 683 more people as Kim Jong Un stresses tighter epidemic prevention

North Korea self-reports it’s still COVID-free after declining Sinovac vaccines
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts September 6, 2021
North Korea reports no COVID cases after testing 665 more people

North Korea reports no COVID cases after testing 665 more people

State media continues to emphasize ‘epidemic prevention campaign’ as Pyongyang defends its border lockdown

North Korea reports no COVID cases after testing 665 more people
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts August 30, 2021
North Korea says it’s still COVID-19 free, develops new testing equipment

North Korea says it’s still COVID-19 free, develops new testing equipment

New reported technology comes as WHO says total tested in DPRK exceeds 36,000

North Korea says it’s still COVID-19 free, develops new testing equipment
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts August 22, 2021
DPRK-China trade inches up in July, but experts say normalization still far off
NK PRO

DPRK-China trade inches up in July, but experts say normalization still far off

Overall trade volume remains a fraction of pre-pandemic levels, despite jump in exports to PRC

DPRK-China trade inches up in July, but experts say normalization still far off
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts August 19, 2021