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September 17, 2026Sep 17, 2026

Leadership

Information related to North Korea’s leadership and leadership structures

In a turbulent world, Kim Jong Un’s regime looks more secure than ever
COLUMN

In a turbulent world, Kim Jong Un’s regime looks more secure than ever

Great power competition and US retreat from exporting democracy have quashed hope for radical change in North Korea

In a turbulent world, Kim Jong Un’s regime looks more secure than ever
Andrei Lankov
Andrei Lankov January 22, 2026
How Takaichi’s military push is reshaping Japan’s posture toward North Korea

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

How Takaichi’s military push is reshaping Japan’s posture toward North Korea
Shreyas Reddy
Shreyas Reddy January 21, 2026
On cautious footing: Where North Korea-China ties stand after a year of detente

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

On cautious footing: Where North Korea-China ties stand after a year of detente
Jifan Li
Jifan Li January 20, 2026
North Korea’s youth outreach, Party Congress signals and prison demolition
Podcast

North Korea’s youth outreach, Party Congress signals and prison demolition

NK News’ Colin Zwirko discusses Kim Jong Un’s stark message to young people and when to expect the 9th congress

North Korea’s youth outreach, Party Congress signals and prison demolition
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko | Jacco Zwetsloot | NK News January 20, 2026
‘Leave while you still can’: Kim Jong Un fires vice premier at factory ceremony

‘Leave while you still can’: Kim Jong Un fires vice premier at factory ceremony

North Korean leader warns of chronic incompetence among party officials, disrupting his hopes for economic development

‘Leave while you still can’: Kim Jong Un fires vice premier at factory ceremony
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 20, 2026
Kim Jong Un urges youth to abandon ‘dreams’ to go to war, hard labor sites

Kim Jong Un urges youth to abandon ‘dreams’ to go to war, hard labor sites

North Korean leader draws contrast with ‘moral depravity’ of young people in other countries in speech to Youth League

Kim Jong Un urges youth to abandon ‘dreams’ to go to war, hard labor sites
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 19, 2026
How North Korea gave citizens a one-sided view of alleged ROK drone intrusions
NK PRO

How North Korea gave citizens a one-sided view of alleged ROK drone intrusions

A recap of everything in state media this week, from partial coverage of drone news to Kim Jong Un’s reduced visibility

How North Korea gave citizens a one-sided view of alleged ROK drone intrusions
Seung-Yeon Chung
Seung-Yeon Chung January 16, 2026
Investors in inter-Korean projects call for Seoul to lift North Korea sanctions

Investors in inter-Korean projects call for Seoul to lift North Korea sanctions

South Korean business groups criticize May 24 Measures for hampering trade, even as Pyongyang spurns cooperation

Investors in inter-Korean projects call for Seoul to lift North Korea sanctions
Jooheon Kim
Jooheon Kim January 15, 2026
ROK military finds general guilty of treason over North Korea drone incursions

ROK military finds general guilty of treason over North Korea drone incursions

Committee says ex-chief of counterintelligence command aimed to provoke DPRK retaliation in 2024 to justify martial law

ROK military finds general guilty of treason over North Korea drone incursions
Joon Ha Park
Joon Ha Park January 15, 2026
Lee orders review of scrapped military pact with North Korea after drone claims

Lee orders review of scrapped military pact with North Korea after drone claims

Drone flights into the DPRK by South Korean civilians would be an armistice breach subject to punishment, Seoul says

Lee orders review of scrapped military pact with North Korea after drone claims
Jeongmin Kim
Jeongmin Kim | Jooheon Kim January 14, 2026
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