Analysis
Latest NK PRO analysis related to the DPRK
Decades of data trace China’s dramatic retreat from North Korea denuclearization
Mentions of DPRK weapons at ministry briefings have cratered since 2017, as China learns to live with a nuclear neighbor
February 17, 2026
How North Korea’s grounded space ambitions could finally lift off
Spy satellite program stands as a glaring failure, but upcoming Party Congress could be a launchpad for success
February 16, 2026
Hype over Kim Jong Un naming his daughter as heir runs ahead of the facts
Headlines claiming North Korean leader has designated a successor are, for now, much ado about nothing
February 13, 2026
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
