Large new complex under construction at Pyongyang telecom station

North Korea is building a large complex in Pyongyang that could serve as a new satellite communication station, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery. Maxar and Planet Labs imagery shows that the complex features 17 circular concrete structures measuring 23 to 33 feet (7 to 10 meters) in diameter, possibly as bases for […] The post Large new complex under construction at Pyongyang telecom station appeared first on NK PRO.

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Ancient royal tombs in North Korea appear to have been opened, damaged

Seven Goryeo-era (Koryo) tombs, including two within the official buffer zone of the Kaesong city UNESCO World Heritage Site, appear to have been damaged or otherwise opened, according to high-resolution satellite imagery, raising questions about the safety of archaeological sites within North Korea. The ancient city that is now Kaesong was settled in 918. For […] The post Ancient royal tombs in North Korea appear to have been opened, damaged appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea in July 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead

About the Month in Review Every month, NK Pro conducts an in-depth analytic review of news on the Korean Peninsula. This Month in Review covers the period of July 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026. In addition to an executive summary providing top-line findings, the following review includes detailed analysis on a wide range of […] The post North Korea in July 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead appeared first on NK PRO.

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South Korean law enforcement warns of North Korean phishing and website attacks

South Korean authorities and four private cybersecurity firms warned on Thursday that North Korean state-sponsored cybercriminals continue to target individuals and businesses through phishing emails and sophisticated “watering hole” attacks that can infect computers simply by visiting hijacked websites.  The joint advisory was issued by the Korean National Police Agency, National Intelligence Service, Korea Internet […] The post South Korean law enforcement warns of North Korean phishing and website attacks appeared first on NK PRO.

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Kim honors military veterans as North Korea celebrates ‘victory’ in Korean War

Victory Day, or V-Day, celebrations marking the self-described triumph in the 1950-53 Korean War dominated North Korean state media this week, as Pyongyang took the occasion to accuse Washington and Seoul of initiating the conflict.  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with war veterans and paid his respects while state media praised Kim Il […] The post Kim honors military veterans as North Korea celebrates ‘victory’ in Korean War appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korean hackers expand open-source software supply chain attacks: Amazon

North Korean cybercriminals are increasingly moving beyond direct intrusions into targeted networks by compromising open-source software libraries that underpin applications used worldwide, according to new research from Amazon. In a report published Wednesday, Amazon Threat Intelligence linked the North Korean threat actor Sapphire Sleet to the compromises of the popular software libraries Axios, Debug, Chalk […] The post North Korean hackers expand open-source software supply chain attacks: Amazon appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea drove over half of global crypto theft in first half of 2026: Report

North Korean cybercriminals were responsible for more than half of all cryptocurrency stolen worldwide during the first six months of 2026, underscoring the country’s continued reliance on increasingly sophisticated cyber theft despite a broader decline in overall losses, according to a new report.  In a report published Tuesday, U.S.-Israeli blockchain security firm Blockaid estimated that […] The post North Korea drove over half of global crypto theft in first half of 2026: Report appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea builds, then buries new facility at main SRBM factory for Russia

North Korea has built and then buried a new facility at its main factory producing short-range ballistic missiles for Russia, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery. The factory makes Hwasong-11 series short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), which have been used by Russian and DPRK troops for attacks on Ukraine since late 2023. Photos of […] The post North Korea builds, then buries new facility at main SRBM factory for Russia appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korean ships increasingly visit Chinese iron, coal hubs as ties boom

An unusually large cluster of North Korean vessels appeared this week off Dalian, a major Chinese port handling iron ore and coal, NK Pro found, highlighting the DPRK’s growing mineral exports to China. More than 20 North Korean-flagged cargo ships were clustered near Dalian from Wednesday, most of them anchored outside the port while the […] The post North Korean ships increasingly visit Chinese iron, coal hubs as ties boom appeared first on NK PRO.

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Heavy rain falls on North Korea as state media remains quiet on potential damage

Heavy rain dominated North Korean state media coverage this week as a monsoon swept the country, with more inclement weather forecast in the days ahead.  In a shift from recent years, state-run television did not send reporters to affected regions for on-the-ground coverage. Outlets have disclosed no damage so far, even though several areas saw […] The post Heavy rain falls on North Korea as state media remains quiet on potential damage appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea builds large new jail in Chongjin as national prison project expands

North Korea is building a large new prison in the northeast city of Chongjin, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, marking at least the 14th walled penitentiary the country has remodeled or constructed since late 2023. The addition raises the country’s incarceration capacity and comes amid leader Kim Jong Un’s ideological crackdown on […] The post North Korea builds large new jail in Chongjin as national prison project expands appeared first on NK PRO.

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Leaked chats expose hierarchy behind North Korean IT worker network

North Korean information technology (IT) workers are routing money earned through fraudulent overseas employment back to the regime through a centralized payment platform tied to sanctioned defense entities, according to a new analysis. In a report published Tuesday, U.S. cybersecurity firm DTEX traced how wages earned by North Korean remote workers are reported, consolidated and […] The post Leaked chats expose hierarchy behind North Korean IT worker network appeared first on NK PRO.

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A closer look into North Korea’s latest reshuffling of its leadership

The plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) last month focused on reviewing the progress of the country’s annual plan, as well as leadership reshuffles that saw a new role for one of Kim’s closest confidantes. Jo Yong Won, the head of North Korea’s parliament, was forced to […] The post A closer look into North Korea’s latest reshuffling of its leadership appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea renovates launchpad in latest sign of spy satellite preparation

North Korea has started fixing up a launchpad at the country’s main space launch complex, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, in the latest sign of preparations to resume military spy satellite launches. Planet Labs and Airbus imagery shows evidence that the surface of the coastal launchpad at the Sohae Satellite Launching Grounds […] The post North Korea renovates launchpad in latest sign of spy satellite preparation appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea’s trade with China sees H1 jump despite monthly slump: data

North Korea saw its monthly trade with China dip in June, Beijing government data showed Monday, while showing an on-year uptick in volume in the first half of 2026. Nearly $252 million worth of goods were turned over by the two countries last month, with Pyongyang’s exports and imports standing at $37 million and $215 […] The post North Korea’s trade with China sees H1 jump despite monthly slump: data appeared first on NK PRO.

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Why Russia should be part of Trump’s next North Korea strategy

A new push for U.S.-DPRK diplomacy remains unlikely in the near term with Washington relentlessly consumed by renewed crises in the Middle East — but when President Donald Trump does return his attention to North Korea, he will find a very different strategic landscape from the one he confronted during his first term.  A far […] The post Why Russia should be part of Trump’s next North Korea strategy appeared first on NK PRO.

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Pyongyang sees higher levels of pollution as more cars hit the road

North Korea’s capital has seen rising levels of air pollution consistent with growing vehicular traffic, NK Pro analysis of satellite data shows — a possible consequence of expanding car ownership in Pyongyang. The analysis comes after North Korea’s revision of its private car ownership law triggered a skyrocketing increase in motorists in Pyongyang and reports […] The post Pyongyang sees higher levels of pollution as more cars hit the road appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea boosts warship project with new construction at Rason shipyard

North Korea has started a new construction project at the Rajin Shipyard in the northeast city of Rason, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, following leader Kim Jong Un’s call to build larger and more capable warships. Planet Labs and Maxar imagery shows a likely construction worker camp was built at the shipyard […] The post North Korea boosts warship project with new construction at Rason shipyard appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea spotlights China bilateral ties and women’s loyalty drive

North Korea marked the 65th anniversary of its Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance with China this week. State media reported on Premier Pak Thae Song’s visit to Beijing and his meeting with President Xi Jinping, while a delegation led by senior Chinese political officer Wang Huning visited Pyongyang and met leader Kim Jong […] The post North Korea spotlights China bilateral ties and women’s loyalty drive appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea appears to ramp up military satellite plans with another engine test

North Korea appeared to test a rocket engine at the country’s main space launch complex in recent weeks, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, likely as part of preparations to resume launching military satellites. The latest rocket engine test appears to be at least the second in two months at the Sohae Satellite […] The post North Korea appears to ramp up military satellite plans with another engine test appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea preps main drone base for big demonstration, bulldozes old features

North Korea has bulldozed old features at a drone base in recent weeks and is close to wrapping up construction of large grandstands, likely ahead of military demonstrations for hundreds of officials, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery. Maxar and Planet Labs imagery shows the finishing touches were made on the new grandstands […] The post North Korea preps main drone base for big demonstration, bulldozes old features appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea tearing down gray markets and replacing with ‘20×10’ facilities

North Korea is tearing down long-standing town markets and replacing them with standardized facilities under leader Kim Jong Un’s “20×10” rural development project, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery. Like existing markets in almost every town in North Korea, the replacements are also outdoor covered facilities, but they are built at new “leisure […] The post North Korea tearing down gray markets and replacing with ‘20×10’ facilities appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea touts Kim Jong Un’s economy drive during founder anniversary week

North Korea’s leadership continued its recent focus on advancing regional economic development alongside military modernization, reiterating the importance of Kim Jong Un’s vision in a week that marked founding leader Kim Il Sung’s death anniversary. Kim Jong Un’s inspection of ongoing construction projects for industrial facilities, a hospital and a service center in the eastern […] The post North Korea touts Kim Jong Un’s economy drive during founder anniversary week appeared first on NK PRO.

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How Mythos could supercharge North Korea’s cyber ambitions

The U.S. government’s decision to temporarily block foreign access to the advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tool Mythos earlier this year renewed debate over whether technical safeguards could reliably withstand determined state-backed adversaries like North Korea. Although the restrictions were quickly eased after Anthropic — Mythos’ maker — agreed to additional safeguards, the episode marked one […] The post How Mythos could supercharge North Korea’s cyber ambitions appeared first on NK PRO.

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Dispelling the misconceptions surrounding North Korea’s DMZ fortifications

North Korea’s refortification of its southern boundary with the South have posed several questions, including whether they be considered hostile or a violation of the 1953 armistice agreement. These are questions currently playing out in the information space while also contributing to reports of friction between the South Korean government and U.S.-led U.N. Command (UNC). […] The post Dispelling the misconceptions surrounding North Korea’s DMZ fortifications appeared first on NK PRO.

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Why Kim Jong Un is paranoid about South Korean media in his country

Since taking power in 2011, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has gradually sought to reverse the spread of foreign media, especially those from South Korea, within his borders.  This initially involved increasing campaigns against so-called unsocialist activities and latterly involved a massive expansion in laws that were highly repressive in design.  These laws promise […] The post Why Kim Jong Un is paranoid about South Korean media in his country appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea-China smuggling scheme appears to restart after monthslong lull

Over a dozen makeshift smuggling routes across the North Korea-China border that were used to send vehicles and other goods to the DPRK have appeared active in recent weeks after going quiet since late last year, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery. The apparent shutdown by early 2026 came just months after Asiapress […] The post North Korea-China smuggling scheme appears to restart after monthslong lull appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea in June 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead

About the Month in Review Every month, NK Pro conducts an in-depth analytic review of news on the Korean Peninsula. This Month in Review covers the period of May 1, 2026 to May 31, 2026. In addition to an executive summary providing top-line findings, the following review includes detailed analysis on a wide range of […] The post North Korea in June 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korean hackers expand supply chain attack campaign across ecosystems

North Korean-linked cybercriminals have expanded a long-running campaign targeting software supply chains across multiple open-source software ecosystems, exposing software developers and organizations that rely on open-source software packages to a broader range of attacks. In a report published Wednesday, U.S. security firm Socket said it identified 162 malicious release artifacts across 108 packages and browser […] The post North Korean hackers expand supply chain attack campaign across ecosystems appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea reviews first-half economy as coal sector takes center stage

As June came to a close and July began, North Korean state media reviewed the first half of the year’s economic performance and pressed for higher output in the second half. Coal featured prominently, following last week’s plenum decision to improve the sector. Outlets reported the reactions of miners almost daily, portraying workers spurred by […] The post North Korea reviews first-half economy as coal sector takes center stage appeared first on NK PRO.

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