Analysis
Latest NK PRO analysis related to the DPRK
Why the US blocked humanitarian aid to North Korea, then reversed course
Approval of sanctions exemptions reportedly came after Seoul appealed to US, though potential impact remains uncertain
February 11, 2026
The art of the purge: How North Korea keeps its elites in line
From demotions to erasure, the methods Kim Jong Un uses at the Party Congress will shed light on his regime’s trajectory
February 9, 2026
North Korean insurance data suggests private car boom was years in the making
DPRK insurers report sharp increase in auto insurance premiums in 2024, as largest state firm solidifies dominance
February 2, 2026
Why Seoul’s push for greater control over the DMZ is unlikely to succeed
Experts warn that ROK bill to increase civilian access risks a rift with UN Command and could benefit North Korea
January 30, 2026
What to expect if Seoul revives the moribund military pact with North Korea
Pyongyang supported buffer zones but has signaled disinterest in agreements that can be easily reversed
January 28, 2026
Meetings, parade training point to North Korean Party Congress by mid-February
NK Pro analysis finds provincial conferences typically end around a week before the main event under Kim Jong Un
January 26, 2026
Textiles and wigs reign supreme in North Korea-China trade in 2025
Allies exchanged over $18 million in sanctioned goods, while DPRK’s rice imports hit multi-year high in December
January 22, 2026
How Takaichi’s military push is reshaping Japan’s posture toward North Korea
Record defense spending aligns with Trump’s priorities, while growing nuclear talk has alarmed Pyongyang and Beijing
January 21, 2026
Why stopping drones from entering North Korea will be easier said than done
Experts say South Korean military assets are oriented toward threats from the north, exposing limits to surveillance
January 21, 2026
On cautious footing: Where North Korea-China ties stand after a year of detente
Kim Jong Un’s high-profile trip to Beijing underscored a push to normalize relations, but practical limits remain
January 20, 2026
