38 North
@38north.org
Informed analysis of events in and around the DPRK. A publication of the Stimson Center. Innovative Ideas Changing the World.
South Korea's concept of deterrence may be cautiously shifting in potentially transformative ways. Perry Choi discusses two Korean-language-only volumes that reveal how Seoul is redefining deterrence and testing the limits of America’s nuclear assurances. www.38north.org/2025/11/seou...
Seoul’s Nuclear Script: South Korea’s Quiet Redefinition of Deterrence - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Two Korean-language-only volumes reveal how Seoul is redefining deterrence and testing the ...
www.38north.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
South Korea's concept of deterrence may be cautiously shifting in potentially transformative ways. Perry Choi discusses two Korean-language-only volumes that reveal how Seoul is redefining deterrence and testing the limits of America’s nuclear assurances. www.38north.org/2025/11/seou...
Amid allegations Russia has supplied North Korea with nuclear propulsion technology, @covertshores.bsky.social points to satellite imagery that may support these claims and discusses how this tech transfer could advance and accelerate Pyongyang's submarine program. www.38north.org/2025/11/russ...
Russian Nuclear Submarine Technology Will Make North Korean Threat More Palpable - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
At North Korea’s grand military parade on October 11, marking the 80th anniversary of the ...
www.38north.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Amid allegations Russia has supplied North Korea with nuclear propulsion technology, @covertshores.bsky.social points to satellite imagery that may support these claims and discusses how this tech transfer could advance and accelerate Pyongyang's submarine program. www.38north.org/2025/11/russ...
North Korea's messaging in Russia and Belarus last week tells us more than strong relations, but a growing embrace of a Eurasian narrative, Rachel Minyoung Lee explains. www.38north.org/2025/11/nort...
North Korea’s Embrace of Eurasia - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
While US President Trump was publicly reiterating an interest in meeting with North Korean ...
www.38north.org
November 5, 2025 at 12:02 AM
North Korea's messaging in Russia and Belarus last week tells us more than strong relations, but a growing embrace of a Eurasian narrative, Rachel Minyoung Lee explains. www.38north.org/2025/11/nort...
North Korea continues to reveal new weapons systems, but the impact they have on the country's overall force capabilities is incremental at best. Vann Van Diepen discusses the latest developments. www.38north.org/2025/11/it-i...
It Is Autumn in North Korea, and the Missiles Are Changing. Are They Past Peak? - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
North Korea unveiled “new” missile developments in September and October that were incremental ...
www.38north.org
November 5, 2025 at 12:01 AM
North Korea continues to reveal new weapons systems, but the impact they have on the country's overall force capabilities is incremental at best. Vann Van Diepen discusses the latest developments. www.38north.org/2025/11/it-i...
If/when US-DPRK talks resume, there are looming questions about what "peace" on the Korean Peninsula actually looks like. General (ret.) Dan "Fig" Leaf offers some insights on the various considerations for ending the Korean War in a 38 North interview. www.38north.org/2025/10/endi...
Ending the Korean War: Interview With Former Deputy Commander of Pacific Command - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Resolving the North Korean nuclear issue remains as elusive as ever, despite more than three ...
www.38north.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:51 PM
If/when US-DPRK talks resume, there are looming questions about what "peace" on the Korean Peninsula actually looks like. General (ret.) Dan "Fig" Leaf offers some insights on the various considerations for ending the Korean War in a 38 North interview. www.38north.org/2025/10/endi...
Timing doesn't appear to be right for reviving US-DPRK diplomacy just yet, but thinking about new/modified approaches are still in order. NKDB's Unique Kim offers useful suggestions on how to move away from blanket bans on specific issues toward more agile options. www.38north.org/2025/10/beyo...
Beyond the Blanket Ban: Reframing the International Response to North Korea’s Overseas Labor - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Despite United Nations (UN) sanctions aimed at ending its labor exports, North Korea continues ...
www.38north.org
October 29, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Timing doesn't appear to be right for reviving US-DPRK diplomacy just yet, but thinking about new/modified approaches are still in order. NKDB's Unique Kim offers useful suggestions on how to move away from blanket bans on specific issues toward more agile options. www.38north.org/2025/10/beyo...
While North Korea's phishing and IT workers are studied closely, there is a critical cyber vulnerability for the US-ROK alliance that's not being talked about: HWP files. Perry Choi discusses how format hardening can address this operational vulnerability. bit.ly/3JpnKgE
HWP as an Attack Surface: What Hancom’s Hangul Word Processor Means for South Korea’s Cyber Posture as a US Ally - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The US–ROK alliance stands at a critical juncture. Recent developments—ranging from contentious ...
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October 27, 2025 at 4:47 PM
While North Korea's phishing and IT workers are studied closely, there is a critical cyber vulnerability for the US-ROK alliance that's not being talked about: HWP files. Perry Choi discusses how format hardening can address this operational vulnerability. bit.ly/3JpnKgE
Rachel Minyoung Lee catalogues key takeaways from the DPRK's coverage of the WPK 80th founding anniversary, and what it might imply of the country's outlook on its bilateral relationships.
After the Party: Assessing North Korean Coverage of Party Founding Celebrations - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
North Korea commemorated the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in ...
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October 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Rachel Minyoung Lee catalogues key takeaways from the DPRK's coverage of the WPK 80th founding anniversary, and what it might imply of the country's outlook on its bilateral relationships.
Glyn Ford reviews Joel Wit's forthcoming book, Fallout: The Inside Story of America's Failure to Disarm North Korea.
The Incoherence of the Policymakers - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Book Review: Fallout: The Inside Story of America’s Failure to Disarm North Korea By Joel S. ...
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October 20, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Glyn Ford reviews Joel Wit's forthcoming book, Fallout: The Inside Story of America's Failure to Disarm North Korea.
"The DPRK IT worker threat is more than a fraud or sanctions evasion issue; it exposes systemic weaknesses in how identity is verified and managed across the global economy." Chandana Seshadri looks at DPRK IT worker typologies & identifies a path forward.
The Global Threat of DPRK IT Workers - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (North Korea or DPRK) is most often associated with ...
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October 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
"The DPRK IT worker threat is more than a fraud or sanctions evasion issue; it exposes systemic weaknesses in how identity is verified and managed across the global economy." Chandana Seshadri looks at DPRK IT worker typologies & identifies a path forward.
E-payments are becoming more popular in the DPRK due to the spread of smartphones, state pressures, and the app industry. @martynw.bsky.social analyzes the burgeoning industry.
A Nascent Fintech Industry Appears in Pyongyang - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Electronic payments appear to be gaining popularity in North Korea, thanks to the spread of ...
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October 9, 2025 at 2:19 PM
E-payments are becoming more popular in the DPRK due to the spread of smartphones, state pressures, and the app industry. @martynw.bsky.social analyzes the burgeoning industry.
TOMORROW‼️Join North Korean escapees Gyuri Kang & Hannah Oh, RFA's Rohit Mahajan, & the Stimson Center's Martyn Williams & Jenny Town for a discussion on information access and information freedom in the DPRK. In-person at the Stimson Center + online from 1-2:30 PM ET. www.stimson.org/event/inform...
Investing in the North Korean People: Broadening Access to Information in North Korea • Stimson Center
The event will discuss the current status of information access and freedom in North Korea, first-hand accounts of effective models for information dissemination, and challenges faced by the sector. S...
www.stimson.org
October 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
TOMORROW‼️Join North Korean escapees Gyuri Kang & Hannah Oh, RFA's Rohit Mahajan, & the Stimson Center's Martyn Williams & Jenny Town for a discussion on information access and information freedom in the DPRK. In-person at the Stimson Center + online from 1-2:30 PM ET. www.stimson.org/event/inform...
🚨EVENT: Join us on Wed. Oct 8 from 1-2:30 PM ET for a deep dive into information access and information freedom in North Korea. Featuring Rohit Mahajan, @martynw.bsky.social, Hannah Oh & @jennytown.bsky.social.
Investing in the North Korean People: Broadening Access to Information in North Korea • Stimson Center
The event will discuss the current status of information access and freedom in North Korea, first-hand accounts of effective models for information dissemination, and challenges faced by the sector. S...
www.stimson.org
October 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
🚨EVENT: Join us on Wed. Oct 8 from 1-2:30 PM ET for a deep dive into information access and information freedom in North Korea. Featuring Rohit Mahajan, @martynw.bsky.social, Hannah Oh & @jennytown.bsky.social.
Read the latest installment of Inspector O on 38 North.
Inspector O and the Abyss - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
As usual, the table was in the corner. I sat down and waited. Inspector O looked up and stared. ...
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October 1, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Read the latest installment of Inspector O on 38 North.
Rachel Minyoung Lee analyzes DPRK state media's portrayal of Kim's visit to Beiing.
Kim Jong Un’s Beijing Visit: A View From North Korea - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Kim Jong Un’s participation in China’s recent “Victory Day” celebrations, widely viewed as a ...
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September 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Rachel Minyoung Lee analyzes DPRK state media's portrayal of Kim's visit to Beiing.
What did Kim Jong Un's visit to Beijing signal about the status of DPRK-China relations? Feng Zhang analyzes the event and both state media readouts.
China's Grand Reception for Kim Jong Un: Strategic Reset or Warning Shot? - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
On September 3, China gave North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a high-profile reception at its ...
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September 5, 2025 at 3:41 PM
What did Kim Jong Un's visit to Beijing signal about the status of DPRK-China relations? Feng Zhang analyzes the event and both state media readouts.
This week on 38 North, David Hong discusses findings from the Korea Health Policy Project's webinar series on the DPRK's approach to public health and international engagement. bit.ly/4mSLAPV
Global Health Cooperation as a Foundation for Trust on the Korean Peninsula - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The Korea Health Policy Project (KHPP), a policy research group focused on healthcare on the ...
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August 21, 2025 at 3:26 PM
This week on 38 North, David Hong discusses findings from the Korea Health Policy Project's webinar series on the DPRK's approach to public health and international engagement. bit.ly/4mSLAPV
Following the opening of Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort, Rüdiger Frank explores DPRK's shift from foreign to domestic tourism, its similarity to tourism policies in other authoritarian states, and the move toward domestic consumption as an economic driver.
Authoritarian Leisure: North Korea’s Wonsan-Kalma Tourism Project in Comparative Perspective - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Domestic Reorientation, Background, and Implications The recent opening of the Wonsan Kalma ...
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August 1, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Following the opening of Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort, Rüdiger Frank explores DPRK's shift from foreign to domestic tourism, its similarity to tourism policies in other authoritarian states, and the move toward domestic consumption as an economic driver.
Commercial satellite imagery of Sohae Satellite Launching Station shows that more than two years after construction on its seaport began, the jetty now includes a docking slip for large vessels.
Quick Take: New Seaport Shaping Up at Sohae Satellite Launching Station - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The full nature of the seaport at North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launch Center is finally ...
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July 29, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Commercial satellite imagery of Sohae Satellite Launching Station shows that more than two years after construction on its seaport began, the jetty now includes a docking slip for large vessels.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's visit to Wonsan marked a shift in the Russia-DPRK relationship, showcasing that the war in Ukraine is not the only driver of cooperation. @dcsneider.bsky.social discusses what else is at play.
For Moscow, the North Korean Alliance With Russia Takes a Turn - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The three-day visit earlier this month of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the North ...
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July 29, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's visit to Wonsan marked a shift in the Russia-DPRK relationship, showcasing that the war in Ukraine is not the only driver of cooperation. @dcsneider.bsky.social discusses what else is at play.
Commercial satellite imagery shows activity at Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort following a high-level visit from Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. Analysis by Martyn Williams, Peter Makowsky & Iliana Ragnone. bit.ly/3UlmdtO
Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort Hosts a High-Level Visit - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Less than two weeks after it finally opened to domestic tourists, the Wonsan Kalma Tourist Zone ...
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July 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Commercial satellite imagery shows activity at Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort following a high-level visit from Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. Analysis by Martyn Williams, Peter Makowsky & Iliana Ragnone. bit.ly/3UlmdtO
In the final article in our 20x10 regional development policy series, Rachel Minyoung Lee analyzes the strategy behind the policy and how it is discussed in North Korean state media.
One Year In: Contextualizing 20x10 Policy for Regional Development - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
In February 2025, North Korean media reported on “successfully completing” the first year of ...
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July 15, 2025 at 8:22 PM
In the final article in our 20x10 regional development policy series, Rachel Minyoung Lee analyzes the strategy behind the policy and how it is discussed in North Korean state media.
In a study based on 38 North's report on the DPRK's health app, Heeje Lee & Angie Sohn examine available disease-specific treatments, their costs, and the integration of Western and Koryo medicine.
What North Korea’s Health App Reveals About Domestic and Imported Pharmaceuticals - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
A recent article published on 38 North introduced a health app developed in North Korea. Among ...
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July 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
In a study based on 38 North's report on the DPRK's health app, Heeje Lee & Angie Sohn examine available disease-specific treatments, their costs, and the integration of Western and Koryo medicine.
Demolition of Mt. Kumgang Tourist Area continues, but not with any apparent urgency. Analysis by @martynw.bsky.social & @ilianaragnone.bsky.social
Demolition of Mt. Kumgang Tourist Area Slowly Drags On - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Work to remove the remaining traces of the Mt. Kumgang Tourist Area continues in North Korea, ...
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July 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Demolition of Mt. Kumgang Tourist Area continues, but not with any apparent urgency. Analysis by @martynw.bsky.social & @ilianaragnone.bsky.social
@thedailynk.bsky.social's Sang Yong Lee discusses how the DPRK's new car rental system reflects deeper tensions between state control and individual autonomy in North Korean society.
Behind the Wheel of Change: North Korea's Car Culture and the Politics of Movement - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
When Kim Jong Un visited the newly transformed “Amisan Automotive Technology Service ...
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July 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM
@thedailynk.bsky.social's Sang Yong Lee discusses how the DPRK's new car rental system reflects deeper tensions between state control and individual autonomy in North Korean society.