38 North
@38north.org
Informed analysis of events in and around the DPRK. A publication of the Stimson Center. Innovative Ideas Changing the World.
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...
While the US and South Korea seek to restart dialogue with North Korea, Europe's re-engagement has been slow. Given Pyongyang's growing cooperation with Russia, this trend seems unlikely to change any time soon, but risks Europe being sidelined in a future diplomatic process. bit.ly/4oAvCKT
Europe's Stalled North Korea Policy - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
US President Donald Trump is openly discussing the possibility of holding a new summit with ...
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
While the US and South Korea seek to restart dialogue with North Korea, Europe's re-engagement has been slow. Given Pyongyang's growing cooperation with Russia, this trend seems unlikely to change any time soon, but risks Europe being sidelined in a future diplomatic process. bit.ly/4oAvCKT
As President Lee adjusts his North Korea policy, questions about Korean identity, unification and ROK constitutional claims are quickly rising to the surface. @dangudg.bsky.social examines the interplay of these factors in peacebuilding on the Korean Peninsula. bit.ly/4oxQUsK
Recognizing Separation, Creating Peace: Rethinking ROK Constitutional Assumptions - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Lee Jae Myung’s government has vowed to pursue dialogue with Pyongyang. It has stated that it ...
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 10:21 PM
As President Lee adjusts his North Korea policy, questions about Korean identity, unification and ROK constitutional claims are quickly rising to the surface. @dangudg.bsky.social examines the interplay of these factors in peacebuilding on the Korean Peninsula. bit.ly/4oxQUsK
North Korea's efforts to modernize and expand its Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center have made significant progress in 2025, helping enable the country grow its nuclear material production for its weapons program. www.38north.org/2025/11/yong...
Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center: Modernization and Expansion in 2025 - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Commercial satellite imagery of North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center from ...
www.38north.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:52 PM
North Korea's efforts to modernize and expand its Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center have made significant progress in 2025, helping enable the country grow its nuclear material production for its weapons program. www.38north.org/2025/11/yong...
North Korea is watching US escalation toward Venezuela, notes Rachel Minyoung Lee. This kind of "interference" echoes previous US regime change operations toward Iraq and Libya, reinforcing North Korea's conviction about its own nuclear deterrent. www.38north.org/2025/11/quic...
Quick Take: North Korea on US-Venezuela Tensions - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
How does North Korea view the Trump administration’s escalation of pressure on Venezuela’s ...
www.38north.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM
North Korea is watching US escalation toward Venezuela, notes Rachel Minyoung Lee. This kind of "interference" echoes previous US regime change operations toward Iraq and Libya, reinforcing North Korea's conviction about its own nuclear deterrent. www.38north.org/2025/11/quic...
Questions abound about how US-ROK cooperation will look on South Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered subs and how China and other regional actors might respond. Yun Sun explains the mild reaction from Beijing so far, but with caveats. www.38north.org/2025/11/sout...
South Korean Nuclear-Powered Submarine Plan: Unpacking China’s Moderate Reaction - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
On October 29, President Trump announced that the United States will share nuclear propulsion ...
www.38north.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Questions abound about how US-ROK cooperation will look on South Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered subs and how China and other regional actors might respond. Yun Sun explains the mild reaction from Beijing so far, but with caveats. www.38north.org/2025/11/sout...
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.