38 North
@38north.org
Informed analysis of events in and around the DPRK. A publication of the Stimson Center. Innovative Ideas Changing the World.
North Korea will participate in an “inclusive consultative process” to develop “a Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the XXI Century." This is consistent with Pyongyang's deepening integration in Russian-led networks, says Rachel Minyoung Lee. www.38north.org/2026/02/nort...
North Korea Takes Its Place at “Eurasian Charter” Table - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
On February 3, the Belarusian state news agency BelTA reported that Belarus, the Democratic ...
www.38north.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:09 PM
North Korea will participate in an “inclusive consultative process” to develop “a Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the XXI Century." This is consistent with Pyongyang's deepening integration in Russian-led networks, says Rachel Minyoung Lee. www.38north.org/2026/02/nort...
North Korea appears to be working up a major title change for Kim Jong Un in the near future. Rachel Minyoung Lee discusses the significance of "head of state" vs "president" in North Korean propaganda. www.38north.org/2026/02/is-k...
Is Kim Jong Un Headed for “DPRK President” Title? - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Much is at stake at the approaching Ninth Party Congress in the Democratic People’s Republic of ...
www.38north.org
February 3, 2026 at 6:25 PM
North Korea appears to be working up a major title change for Kim Jong Un in the near future. Rachel Minyoung Lee discusses the significance of "head of state" vs "president" in North Korean propaganda. www.38north.org/2026/02/is-k...
Cell phones/smartphones have become staples in North Korea, providing options for payments, services, games and more. As the demand has grown, so has network coverage across the country. @martyn_williams has released an updated cellular coverage map. www.38north.org/2026/01/nort...
North Korean Cellular Coverage in 2026 - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
This article was written as part of NK TechLab, a project of 38 North that serves as a central ...
www.38north.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Cell phones/smartphones have become staples in North Korea, providing options for payments, services, games and more. As the demand has grown, so has network coverage across the country. @martyn_williams has released an updated cellular coverage map. www.38north.org/2026/01/nort...
North Korea's health sector has come greater into focus in recent years. This has manifest as new urban and rural hospitals, even within the 20x10 plan, but also as a concerted move away from universal healthcare. Analysis by Joon Hee Han and Yo Han Lee. www.38north.org/2026/01/nort...
North Korea's 2025 Health Revolution - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
In a significant policy pivot amid ongoing economic sanctions, Kim Jong Un designated 2025 as ...
www.38north.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:01 PM
North Korea's health sector has come greater into focus in recent years. This has manifest as new urban and rural hospitals, even within the 20x10 plan, but also as a concerted move away from universal healthcare. Analysis by Joon Hee Han and Yo Han Lee. www.38north.org/2026/01/nort...
As North Korea prepares for the Ninth Party Congress, Vann Van Diepen assesses progress made against the 13 new WMD systems mandated at the Eighth Party Congress. While significant progress has been made, the status of four systems remains unknown. www.38north.org/2026/01/asse...
Assessing North Korea’s Five-Year Effort to Develop 13 New Nuclear and Missile Systems - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
In his January 2021 report to the Eighth Party Congress of the Korean Workers’ Party, Kim Jong ...
www.38north.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:52 PM
As North Korea prepares for the Ninth Party Congress, Vann Van Diepen assesses progress made against the 13 new WMD systems mandated at the Eighth Party Congress. While significant progress has been made, the status of four systems remains unknown. www.38north.org/2026/01/asse...
Training is underway at the Mirim Parade Training ground ahead of the much anticipated Ninth Party Congress, although the Congress date remains elusive. A quick take by @martynw.bsky.social and Rachel Minyoung Lee.
www.38north.org/2026/02/part...
www.38north.org/2026/02/part...
Party Congress Preparations in Pyongyang - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Commercial satellite imagery from February 2 shows hundreds of soldiers practicing marching ...
www.38north.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Training is underway at the Mirim Parade Training ground ahead of the much anticipated Ninth Party Congress, although the Congress date remains elusive. A quick take by @martynw.bsky.social and Rachel Minyoung Lee.
www.38north.org/2026/02/part...
www.38north.org/2026/02/part...
The omission of DPRK from the US NSS comes as Pyongyang has proven itself a capable military partner to Russia. Hans Horan discusses how might other countries assess DPRK's potential in this capacity, especially those targeted in shifting US foreign policy. www.38north.org/2026/01/asse...
January 23, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The omission of DPRK from the US NSS comes as Pyongyang has proven itself a capable military partner to Russia. Hans Horan discusses how might other countries assess DPRK's potential in this capacity, especially those targeted in shifting US foreign policy. www.38north.org/2026/01/asse...
The omission of DPRK denuclearization from the US NSS may have intended to leave room for US-DPRK negotiations, but seems to have conveyed the burden of deterrence is shifting to regional allies. Sangsoo Lee discusses the impact of this perceived shift. www.38north.org/2026/01/the-...
The Impact of the US National Security Strategy’s Blind Spot on North Korea - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
By shifting deterrence to its allies, Washington is unintentionally accelerating an arms race ...
www.38north.org
January 21, 2026 at 11:45 PM
The omission of DPRK denuclearization from the US NSS may have intended to leave room for US-DPRK negotiations, but seems to have conveyed the burden of deterrence is shifting to regional allies. Sangsoo Lee discusses the impact of this perceived shift. www.38north.org/2026/01/the-...
The latest edition of "North Korea Briefing" is now available on 38 North, providing insights and analysis on key developments in DPRK's internal affairs from October 1 to December 31, 2025, across politics, leadership, economy, WMD and foreign policy.
www.38north.org/nk-briefing/...
www.38north.org/nk-briefing/...
North Korea Briefing: Vol. 3, Winter 2025 - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
This is the second edition of North Korea Briefing, a quarterly report analyzing North Korea’s ...
www.38north.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:25 PM
The latest edition of "North Korea Briefing" is now available on 38 North, providing insights and analysis on key developments in DPRK's internal affairs from October 1 to December 31, 2025, across politics, leadership, economy, WMD and foreign policy.
www.38north.org/nk-briefing/...
www.38north.org/nk-briefing/...
Traditional methods to evaluate North Korea's economic performance and responses to external shocks (such as sanctions) underestimate the impact of its extreme extractive model. Chan Yong Bang suggests why a new evaluative framework is needed. www.38north.org/2026/01/how-...
How North Korea’s Extractive System Adapts to External Shocks - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Understanding how North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK) adapts to ...
www.38north.org
January 15, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Traditional methods to evaluate North Korea's economic performance and responses to external shocks (such as sanctions) underestimate the impact of its extreme extractive model. Chan Yong Bang suggests why a new evaluative framework is needed. www.38north.org/2026/01/how-...
All four of North Korea's state run television channels are now, for the first time, available via satellite. This demonstrates further Russian-DPRK cooperation in the communications sector. @martynw.bsky.social discusses the expanded coverage area. www.38north.org/articles/aff...
North Korea Expands Satellite Distribution of Domestic TV Channels - 38 North
All four of North Korea’s state-run domestic TV channels are being distributed by ...
www.38north.org
January 15, 2026 at 6:50 PM
All four of North Korea's state run television channels are now, for the first time, available via satellite. This demonstrates further Russian-DPRK cooperation in the communications sector. @martynw.bsky.social discusses the expanded coverage area. www.38north.org/articles/aff...
North Korea's turn toward cybercrime and cryptocurrency theft may have started as a sanctions evasion strategy, but its successes have essentially created a de-facto sovereign wealth fund. Perry Choi outlines this evolution and the policy implications. www.38north.org/2026/01/from...
From Digital Kleptocracy to Rogue Crypto-Superpower - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
How North Korea turned cybercrime and cryptocurrency theft into a strategic arsenal—and why the ...
www.38north.org
January 9, 2026 at 2:35 PM
North Korea's turn toward cybercrime and cryptocurrency theft may have started as a sanctions evasion strategy, but its successes have essentially created a de-facto sovereign wealth fund. Perry Choi outlines this evolution and the policy implications. www.38north.org/2026/01/from...
North Korea issued an early statement about US interventions in Venezuela, although only to external audiences and without much detail about the nature of the operations. 38 North's Rachel Minyoung Lee discusses potential motivations for this approach: www.38north.org/2026/01/nort...
North Korea's Initial Reaction to US Operations in Venezuela - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
North Korea’s response to the January 3 US military operation in Venezuela and capture of ...
www.38north.org
January 6, 2026 at 9:51 PM
North Korea issued an early statement about US interventions in Venezuela, although only to external audiences and without much detail about the nature of the operations. 38 North's Rachel Minyoung Lee discusses potential motivations for this approach: www.38north.org/2026/01/nort...
While KCTV is North Korea's main TV channel, our Senior Fellow @martynw.bsky.social recently spent a weekend watching the "other" TV channels that North Koreans have access to: Mansudae TV, Sport TV and Ryongnamsan TV. This is what he learned: www.38north.org/2025/12/nort...
North Korea's Other TV: What You Don't See on KCTV - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
This article was written as part of NK TechLab, a project of 38 North that serves as a central ...
www.38north.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
While KCTV is North Korea's main TV channel, our Senior Fellow @martynw.bsky.social recently spent a weekend watching the "other" TV channels that North Koreans have access to: Mansudae TV, Sport TV and Ryongnamsan TV. This is what he learned: www.38north.org/2025/12/nort...
Drones have become critical in modern warfare, a lesson Pyongyang has learned well. Thousands of DPRK workers are reportedly heading to the drone manufacturing hub: Alabuga SEZ. DailyNK's Rose Adams discusses the mutual Russia-DPRK benefits of this cooperation.
www.38north.org/2025/12/alab...
www.38north.org/2025/12/alab...
Alabuga: The Latest Destination for North Korea’s Drone Ambitions - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
There is a new front in North Korea’s contributions to Russia’s war with Ukraine. From soldiers ...
www.38north.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Drones have become critical in modern warfare, a lesson Pyongyang has learned well. Thousands of DPRK workers are reportedly heading to the drone manufacturing hub: Alabuga SEZ. DailyNK's Rose Adams discusses the mutual Russia-DPRK benefits of this cooperation.
www.38north.org/2025/12/alab...
www.38north.org/2025/12/alab...
Kim Ju Ae's growing public profile has stirred debate over whether we're seeing early signs of a succession process in North Korea, but there is reason to reserve judgement. @hcss.bsky.social' Hans Horan looks at past precedents and factors shaping future scenarios. www.38north.org/2025/12/succ...
Succession at the Crossroads: Scenarios for North Korea's Future - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The growing public presence of Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, combined with lingering ...
www.38north.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Kim Ju Ae's growing public profile has stirred debate over whether we're seeing early signs of a succession process in North Korea, but there is reason to reserve judgement. @hcss.bsky.social' Hans Horan looks at past precedents and factors shaping future scenarios. www.38north.org/2025/12/succ...
North Korea's Ninth Party Congress seems to be still weeks away based on remarks during the recent Party Plenary and the timeline of Eighth Party Congress planning. Rachel Minyoung Lee walks through what we know/don't know, and why the Congress is important. bit.ly/48ZXhiN
Tracking North Korea's Ninth Party Congress Preparations - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
North Korea’s recent year-end Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) plenary meeting offered a ...
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 10:26 PM
North Korea's Ninth Party Congress seems to be still weeks away based on remarks during the recent Party Plenary and the timeline of Eighth Party Congress planning. Rachel Minyoung Lee walks through what we know/don't know, and why the Congress is important. bit.ly/48ZXhiN
North Korea's military airfield modernization campaign continues with new construction observed at Uiju Airfield. Once used as a quarantine center, preparations are underway to extend the length of the runway. Analysis by @martyn_williams www.38north.org/2025/12/mili...
Military Airfield Modernization Expands to Uiju - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
North Korea appears to have begun a major modernization effort at Uiju Airfield. The scale of ...
www.38north.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:57 PM
North Korea's military airfield modernization campaign continues with new construction observed at Uiju Airfield. Once used as a quarantine center, preparations are underway to extend the length of the runway. Analysis by @martyn_williams www.38north.org/2025/12/mili...
The recent MSMT report on DPRK sanctions provided one of the most comprehensive overviews of the DPRK remote IT worker ecosystem, but failed to recognize this as a distinct economic activity. Chandana Seshadri discusses why this is a miscalculation. www.38north.org/2025/12/asse...
Assessing the MSMT’s DPRK IT Worker Threat Report - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Building on the growing body of work on the threat posed by North Korea’s (Democratic People’s ...
www.38north.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The recent MSMT report on DPRK sanctions provided one of the most comprehensive overviews of the DPRK remote IT worker ecosystem, but failed to recognize this as a distinct economic activity. Chandana Seshadri discusses why this is a miscalculation. www.38north.org/2025/12/asse...
The Lee administration is debating how it labels its NK policy, but should it be more concerned about building mutual understanding of core interests with Washington? 38 North Director @j3nnyt0wn discusses on Korea On Point.
koreaonpoint.org/articles/art...
koreaonpoint.org/articles/art...
Leaving Too Much to Chance
Key Takeaways:- President Lee’s E.N.D. policy repackages familiar progressive sequencing—exchange, normalization, then denuclearization—but does little to reflect how fundamentally North Ko
koreaonpoint.org
December 12, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The Lee administration is debating how it labels its NK policy, but should it be more concerned about building mutual understanding of core interests with Washington? 38 North Director @j3nnyt0wn discusses on Korea On Point.
koreaonpoint.org/articles/art...
koreaonpoint.org/articles/art...
As North Korea rejects negotiations about its nuclear program, key countries are slowly changing their public narratives about their North Korea strategies and goals. A quick look at where the narrative is heading by Rachel Minyoung Lee www.38north.org/2025/12/quic...
Quick Take: “Denuclearization” Omissions - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
In recent weeks, key stakeholder countries on the Korean Peninsula have omitted the term ...
www.38north.org
December 12, 2025 at 9:20 PM
As North Korea rejects negotiations about its nuclear program, key countries are slowly changing their public narratives about their North Korea strategies and goals. A quick look at where the narrative is heading by Rachel Minyoung Lee www.38north.org/2025/12/quic...
Russian media is playing an important role in socializing North Korea to Russian audiences as cooperation expands. This trend began as far back as 2017, using a narrative of shared resistance to sanctions, and has intensified since 2022, writes Nika Pasko.
www.38north.org/2025/12/the-...
www.38north.org/2025/12/the-...
The Most Sovereign Country: Recent Russian TV Coverage of North Korea - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Since 2022, the image of North Korea and the tone of coverage among Russian TV channels have ...
www.38north.org
December 12, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Russian media is playing an important role in socializing North Korea to Russian audiences as cooperation expands. This trend began as far back as 2017, using a narrative of shared resistance to sanctions, and has intensified since 2022, writes Nika Pasko.
www.38north.org/2025/12/the-...
www.38north.org/2025/12/the-...
Koryo Medicine (traditional medicine) features prominently on North Korea's mobile medicine delivery app, providing low cost medicinal options for North Korean citizens. Analysis by Heeje Lee and Myung Sun Kim. www.38north.org/2025/12/kory...
Koryo Medicine in North Korea: Insights From a Pharmaceutical App Dataset - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Two previous 38 North articles examined a large dataset obtained from North Korea containing an ...
www.38north.org
December 12, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Koryo Medicine (traditional medicine) features prominently on North Korea's mobile medicine delivery app, providing low cost medicinal options for North Korean citizens. Analysis by Heeje Lee and Myung Sun Kim. www.38north.org/2025/12/kory...
Lee Jae-myung's END policy toward North Korea mirrors past progressive approaches to reviving inter-Korean relations. But the rules of the game have fundamentally changed since the last diplomatic round. George Hutchinson examines Lee's prospects for success.
www.38north.org/2025/12/lee-...
www.38north.org/2025/12/lee-...
Lee Jae Myung's END Strategy: Path to Progress or Dead End? - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Like South Korea’s progressive presidents before him, Lee Jae Myung is trying to reopen ...
www.38north.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Lee Jae-myung's END policy toward North Korea mirrors past progressive approaches to reviving inter-Korean relations. But the rules of the game have fundamentally changed since the last diplomatic round. George Hutchinson examines Lee's prospects for success.
www.38north.org/2025/12/lee-...
www.38north.org/2025/12/lee-...
North Korea is certainly following the diplomatic spat between China and Japan, but seems rather reluctant to offer support for Beijing's position than one would expect after recent China-North Korea warming, explains Rachel Minyoung Lee. www.38north.org/2025/12/nort...
North Korea’s Odd Reticence on China-Japan Tensions - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
North Korea has shown a muted response to the ongoing China-Japan diplomatic spat over Japanese ...
www.38north.org
December 8, 2025 at 10:09 PM
North Korea is certainly following the diplomatic spat between China and Japan, but seems rather reluctant to offer support for Beijing's position than one would expect after recent China-North Korea warming, explains Rachel Minyoung Lee. www.38north.org/2025/12/nort...