Human Security / Human Rights
Information related to human security / human rights in North Korea
North Korea ordered to pay $70,300 in damages to five Korean War-era POWs
Each of the plaintiffs were imprisoned for at least 45 years before defecting to South Korea in the 2000s
May 15, 2026
U.N. human rights chief makes first trip to South Korea in 11 years
Accountability for North Korea’s human rights abuses must not be shelved as Seoul pursues diplomacy, he said
May 14, 2026
North Korea warns citizens of hantavirus danger and overseas outbreak
While the DPRK will issue government warnings, it will not mimic the concern from the COVID-19 pandemic, an expert said
May 12, 2026
Borders, nukes and welfare: Inside North Korea’s purported constitution
Jeongmin Kim explains new territorial language, while Peter Ward unpacks changes to welfare, taxation and state control
May 12, 2026
Pyongyang’s journey from ‘Jerusalem of the East’ to Kim cult capital
Jonathan Cheng’s richly illustrated book sheds light on Pyongyang’s churches, Christian refugees and political elites
May 11, 2026
North Korea promotes loyalty to Kim above workers’ rights on May Day holiday
A recap of everything in state media this week, from International Workers’ Day celebrations to women’s soccer
May 8, 2026
Researchers develop AI medical tool for North Korean defectors
Seoul researchers say MediBridge flags unfamiliar terms and prompts users to add details needed for diagnosis
May 8, 2026
North Korea appears to have transformed the social contract with its people
The constitution appears to have been revised to remove references to the country not having a tax
May 7, 2026
Ukraine unveils new regulation granting student permits for North Koreans
But an expert warns the new regulation labels DPRK as a hostile force and won’t legalize the status of North Korean POWs
May 6, 2026
Jacco Zwetsloot: A look back and a new chapter for the NK News Podcast
Longtime host discusses memorable episodes, dream guests and how he is not leaving the podcast entirely
May 5, 2026
