March 29, 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'

Germany wins sanctions exemption to send COVID test equipment to North Korea

Germany wins sanctions exemption to send COVID test equipment to North Korea

UN grants 9-month window for ‘export of medical equipment for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the DPRK’

Germany wins sanctions exemption to send COVID test equipment to North Korea
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts August 18, 2021
North Korea reports no COVID cases amid rumblings of humanitarian aid

North Korea reports no COVID cases amid rumblings of humanitarian aid

DPRK tells WHO it tested 693 people as UNICEF renews sanctions exemption for medical assistance

North Korea reports no COVID cases amid rumblings of humanitarian aid
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts August 16, 2021
North Korea maintains it’s COVID-free as it prepares vaccine supply chains

North Korea maintains it’s COVID-free as it prepares vaccine supply chains

Authorities say they tested additional 674 people as DPRK continues to warn of protracted pandemic and antivirus curbs

North Korea maintains it’s COVID-free as it prepares vaccine supply chains
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts August 9, 2021
North Korea again reports no COVID cases, as Seoul pushes humanitarian aid

North Korea again reports no COVID cases, as Seoul pushes humanitarian aid

World Health Organization says DPRK tested 681 more people, bringing total tested to over 34,000

North Korea again reports no COVID cases, as Seoul pushes humanitarian aid
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts August 2, 2021
North Korea tests 691 more people for COVID-19, reports zero positive cases

North Korea tests 691 more people for COVID-19, reports zero positive cases

DPRK claims to have tested a total of 33,889 people, as state media continues to emphasize virus prevention measures

North Korea tests 691 more people for COVID-19, reports zero positive cases
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts July 27, 2021
Stocks surge in South Korea on hopes of renewed inter-Korean projects

Stocks surge in South Korea on hopes of renewed inter-Korean projects

Some firms linked to tourism and manufacturing in DPRK see double-digit growth following news of reconnected hotlines

Stocks surge in South Korea on hopes of renewed inter-Korean projects
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts July 27, 2021
Pop-aganda: North Korean accordionists cover Norway’s greatest hits

Pop-aganda: North Korean accordionists cover Norway’s greatest hits

An interview with Morten Traavik on his new vinyl album expanding musical collaboration with the DPRK

Pop-aganda: North Korean accordionists cover Norway’s greatest hits
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts July 19, 2021
North Korea tells WHO it has no COVID cases after testing additional 696 people

North Korea tells WHO it has no COVID cases after testing additional 696 people

Total tested surpasses 33,000 as country reports shortage of medicine and health personnel to U.N.

North Korea tells WHO it has no COVID cases after testing additional 696 people
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts July 19, 2021
An interview with Stephen Biegun, former US special envoy to North Korea

An interview with Stephen Biegun, former US special envoy to North Korea

From Singapore, Hanoi to Stockholm, Biegun discusses his time as Washington’s lead official on North Korea policy

An interview with Stephen Biegun, former US special envoy to North Korea
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts July 14, 2021
North Korea again self-reports no COVID-19 as number tested exceeds 32,000

North Korea again self-reports no COVID-19 as number tested exceeds 32,000

DPRK says it tested an additional 718 people as Seoul think tank says Pyongyang has rejected AstraZeneca vaccines

North Korea again self-reports no COVID-19 as number tested exceeds 32,000
Bryan Betts
Bryan Betts July 12, 2021