Investigations
Latest NK PRO investigations related to the DPRK
North Korea says it built fewer rural houses in 2025 despite wealth gap problem
NK Pro analysis suggests progress slowed in 2025 on multi-year effort to improve living standards outside capital
January 21, 2026
North Korea, Russia speed up work on border bridge ahead of June deadline
NK Pro finds checkpoint on Russia side will cost nearly $173M, four times more than originally expected
January 19, 2026
North Korea tears down Sariwon prison in apparent prep for remodeling
Facility is 11th to undergo demolition and construction since 2023 amid push to strengthen ideological control
January 16, 2026
New evidence points to North Korean factory’s role in making long-range missiles
NK Pro finds ICBM officials also visited Feb. 11 plant again, including one back from helping Russia attack Ukraine
January 9, 2026
North Korea almost done tearing down $37M South Korean hotel in Kumgang
Satellite imagery shows only elevator shaft remains of 12-story tower used for inter-Korean family reunions
December 24, 2025
North Korea upgrades test facility for long-range nuclear missile engines
Satellite imagery shows larger shelter built at Sohae horizontal stand despite claim of ‘final’ test for Hwasong-20 ICBM
December 11, 2025
Gas station construction stalls in North Korea even as car ownership surges
NK Pro finds new stations have only been built outside the capital in recent years, a sign of growing regional demand
December 11, 2025
North Korea, China using 32 makeshift bridges for extensive smuggling scheme
NK Pro finds additional river crossings following exposé on sanctioned trade of Chinese vehicles across border
December 9, 2025
North Korea building three lavish mansions at site for visiting foreign leaders
Similar rapid construction took place at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse in 2019 in preparation for Xi Jinping’s visit
December 8, 2025
Graves at Ukraine war memorial suggest North Korea may up official death count
Satellite imagery shows rapid progress on memorial and cemetery in Pyongyang, honoring troops killed fighting for Russia
December 5, 2025
