April 25, 2024

About the author

Colin Zwirko

Colin Zwirko is a Senior Analytic Correspondent for NK News based in Seoul. He joined the company in 2018 after receiving a master's degree in international security and foreign policy from South Korea's Yonsei University. Follow him on Twitter.

More articles by 'Colin Zwirko'

Qingdao Airlines awaiting approval to run three new routes to Pyongyang

Qingdao Airlines awaiting approval to run three new routes to Pyongyang

Thrice-weekly routes set to start in October would make Qingdao one of only two foreign airlines in North Korea

Qingdao Airlines awaiting approval to run three new routes to Pyongyang
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 16, 2020
New North Korean film stresses military path after standing up to U.S. in 2019

New North Korean film stresses military path after standing up to U.S. in 2019

2.5 hr propaganda film recounts Kim’s 2019 summits, economic and military visits, and DPRK’s self-reliant “new path”

New North Korean film stresses military path after standing up to U.S. in 2019
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 15, 2020
Citing legal complaints, YouTube purges more North Korea-focused channels

Citing legal complaints, YouTube purges more North Korea-focused channels

Both DPRK-run and supporter-run accounts among at least six targeted, though others continue to operate

Citing legal complaints, YouTube purges more North Korea-focused channels
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 14, 2020
Pyongyang Sunan airport upgrades, other changes underway at capital’s airfields
NK PRO

Pyongyang Sunan airport upgrades, other changes underway at capital’s airfields

Imagery shows dismantling of Kangdong Airfield facilities, while North Korean elite air clubs see recent boost

Pyongyang Sunan airport upgrades, other changes underway at capital’s airfields
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 13, 2020
38 aid exemptions, no designations from UN’s DPRK sanctions committee in 2019

38 aid exemptions, no designations from UN’s DPRK sanctions committee in 2019

Annual report by UNSC sanctions committee points to continuing standstill in new enforcement actions

38 aid exemptions, no designations from UN’s DPRK sanctions committee in 2019
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 9, 2020
Ahead of Paektu trip, horse tracks replaced two of Kim Jong Un’s private runways
NK PRO

Ahead of Paektu trip, horse tracks replaced two of Kim Jong Un’s private runways

New infrastructure may have served as a riding practice ground before December's highly-publicized mountain trek

Ahead of Paektu trip, horse tracks replaced two of Kim Jong Un’s private runways
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 8, 2020
Kim Jong Un touts chemical industry in first economic site visit of 2020

Kim Jong Un touts chemical industry in first economic site visit of 2020

Unfinished Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory considered a top state-led construction project

Kim Jong Un touts chemical industry in first economic site visit of 2020
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 6, 2020
‘Let’s break through the barriers!’ North Korea’s new political slogans for 2020

‘Let’s break through the barriers!’ North Korea’s new political slogans for 2020

Propaganda slogans at Sunday’s mass rally in Pyongyang highlight ideological priorities for coming year

‘Let’s break through the barriers!’ North Korea’s new political slogans for 2020
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 6, 2020
Egypt claims full compliance with sanctions on North Korean guest workers

Egypt claims full compliance with sanctions on North Korean guest workers

Claim follows U.S. President Trump’s past pressure on Cairo to drop relations with Pyongyang

Egypt claims full compliance with sanctions on North Korean guest workers
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 3, 2020
Trump, Pompeo brush off N. Korean policy shift while citing Singapore agreement

Trump, Pompeo brush off N. Korean policy shift while citing Singapore agreement

U.S. President and top diplomat show no signs of ceding ground to Pyongyang in quick-take New Year’s Eve reactions

Trump, Pompeo brush off N. Korean policy shift while citing Singapore agreement
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 1, 2020