38 North
@38north.org
Informed analysis of events in and around the DPRK. A publication of the Stimson Center. Innovative Ideas Changing the World.
Upcoming Event! Join 38 North & NCNK on September 10, at 2pm ET, for a discussion with Jerome Sauvage and Esther Im about Jerome's experiences working in North Korea as the UN Resident Coordinator, detailed in his new memoir. In person & online: www.38north.org/events/engag...
Engaging North Korea On the Ground - 38 North
In his new memoir, “Witness to North Korea,” Jerome Sauvage provides a first-hand account of ...
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North Korea's continued material and troop support of Russia's war has short term transactional benefits for Pyongyang, but also appears to be part of a larger strategy to shape a favorable security architecture in the region, argue Jong Eun Lee and Eul-chul Lim. www.38north.org/2026/08/all-...
All the Way With Moscow? Pyongyang’s Strategic Calculations in Support of Russia’s War - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War in 2022, North Korea has contributed substantial arms ...
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The Russia-North Korea traffic bridge aimed to open in June, but the Russian side's immigration/customs complex was nowhere near complete. Imagery shows the main parts of the complex may be ready "enough" by the revised Sept deadline. @martynw.bsky.social www.38north.org/2026/08/nort...
North Korea-Russia Bridge Could Open on Revised Deadline - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Construction on the new road bridge linking North Korea and Russia has made significant ...
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While North Korea's messaging toward the US is studied, it's restrained messaging regarding China in recent weeks is notable. It seems China-DPRK relations are still more tenuous than recent high level exchanges suggest, says Rachel Minyoung Lee. www.38north.org/2026/08/nort...
North Korea's Restrained Signaling Toward China Continues - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Kim Yo Jong’s August 19 “stand on major international affairs” has been examined largely for ...
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North Korea's responses to Trump's unilateral reductions of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises reiterate its world view and reaffirm talks are possible, but only under very strict conditions. The door may not be locked, but is it really open? www.38north.org/2026/08/a-do...
A Door Ajar, a High Bar: Whither North Korea-US Relations? - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Regardless of what President Trump’s recent social media was intended to achieve or to whom it ...
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Vann Van Diepen digs into the various claims of improved KN-23 performance and potential Russian technical assistance. Sourcing matters, as does North Korea's own technical ability. Have the KN-23s been improved? Maybe. Here's what we can tell so far. www.38north.org/2026/08/the-...
The KN-23 Goes to War: Has It Improved North Korea's Missiles? - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
North Korean-made KN-23 solid-propellant, road-mobile short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) ...
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Upcoming Event! Join us on August 17 at 8PM ET for an online discussion examining disparities across a range of socio-economic indicators between Pyongyang and more remote or rural cities. Featuring @martynw.bsky.social & @ilianaragnone.bsky.social. www.38north.org/events/beyon...
Beyond Pyongyang: Regional Development, Modernization, and Inequality in North Korea - 38 North
Severe economic disparities between Pyongyang and other parts of the country have the potential ...
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Construction on the Russian side of the new Russia-North Korea bridge has picked up since missing the original opening date in June. The main buildings at the customs complex appear nearly finished and road work is underway, writes @martynw.bsky.social . www.38north.org/2026/08/russ...
Russian Construction Makes Progress Toward Bridge Opening - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Commercial satellite imagery shows increased activity on the Russian side of the new road ...
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Could Lee Jae-myung's Arctic ambitions form the basis for a broader regional peace initiative? Lyle Goldstein and Vitaly Kozyrev discuss the geoeconomic rationale for South Korea's Arctic Activity Strategy and the potential to build regional cooperation around it. www.38north.org/2026/08/brea...
Breaking the Ice in Northeast Asia: President Lee’s Brazen Bet on the Arctic - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
At a time of grave world tensions and rising defense preparations, including in Northeast Asia, ...
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North Korea is doubling down on naval modernization and expansion. While the commissioning and deployment of the Choe Hyon destroyer will bolster capabilities around the NLL, Bomi Kim suggests broader mission change is underway for the KPN beyond coastal defense. www.38north.org/2026/07/more...
More Than a Destroyer: What Choe Hyon Reveals About North Korea's Maritime Strategy - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) officially commissioned its new ...
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Not all of North Korea's income generation is alike. North Korean overseas medical workers illustrate how the practice may do good but may still be exploitative for the North Korean workers. George Grech offers some guidelines for rethinking blanket bans. www.38north.org/2026/07/not-...
Not All Overseas Income Is Alike: DPRK Medical Workers and the Limits of Sanctions Equivalence - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The international community should not treat every form of overseas Democratic People’s ...
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North Korea's nuclear strategy - now codified in its laws and constitution - requires the US and ROK to update its defensive architecture. Yongsup Han argues this should include nuclear sharing, integrated deterrence, and technical innovation. www.38north.org/2026/07/nort...
North Korea’s Nuclear Doctrine: Implications and Strategic Countermeasures for the US-ROK Alliance - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Revisions made to North Korea’s constitution formally codify its self-proclaimed “responsible ...
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hina-North Korea high level exchanges are on a roll, but so is North Korea's messaging about the permanence of its nuclear program and status. Rachel Minyoung Lee discusses how these trends help us better understand how China-NK relations are shaping up. www.38north.org/2026/07/nort...
North Korea’s Subdued Signaling Toward China During Treaty Anniversary - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
As anticipated by Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping’s June agreement, North Korea and China gave ...
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North Korean smartphones have typically utilized Chinese-manufactured hardware & North Korean software. But a new model from Phurunhanal Electronics appears to utilize the Lava Agni 3 from India's Lava International. @martynw.bsky.social discusses this new find. www.38north.org/2026/07/nort...
North Korea Taps India for Smartphones - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
North Korean smartphone brand Phurunhanal Electronics appears to have sourced one of its latest ...
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Although Pyongyang has never used the term nuclear triad, its current naval upgrades and expansion and looming air force modernization seem to be moving in that direction. Vann Van Diepen examines its potential for building credible naval and air "legs". www.38north.org/2026/07/is-n...
Is North Korea Pursuing a "Juche-Oriented" Nuclear Triad? - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Cold War strategic culture has emphasized the importance of having a “triad” of ...
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Issue 5 of our "North Korea Briefing" is out! The 2nd quarter of 2026 provided the first clear picture of policy direction North Korea intends to pursue following the Ninth Party Congress. Check out analysis across six key themes. www.38north.org/nk-briefing/...
North Korea Briefing: Vol. 5, Summer 2026 - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The second quarter of 2026 provided the first clear picture of policy direction North Korea ...
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E-payments are ever more common in North Korea, especially in Pyongyang. @martynw.bsky.social discusses what we've learned about how the system works, the legal and physical infrastructure, and the approx. conversion rates for FX won for smartphone e-payments. www.38north.org/2026/07/the-...
The Logistics of Funding North Korean E-Wallets - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Smartphone-based e-payment systems appear to be growing quickly in Pyongyang. Several competing ...
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Join us on July 9 for a panel discussion with accomplished next-gen leaders discussing the psychological evolution of North Korean youth, cutting-edge strategies for information influx, and how these internal dynamics are challenging totalitarian control. www.stimson.org/event/north-...
North Korea's Digital Generation: Information Influx, Regime Control, and the Architects of Tomorrow • Stimson Center
Today, a new generation of North Koreans who grew up with a hybrid awareness of markets and illicit foreign media is driving a quiet paradigm shift against the regime’s extreme tightening of ideologic...
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Pyunghwa Park and Uri Kidron examine how the varied willingness of states facing a regional nuclearizing rival to absorb the costs of war as a counterproliferation strategy has played into North Korea's nuclear advancements versus Iran's restraints. www.38north.org/2026/06/why-...
Why North Korea Got the Bomb (And Iran Did Not, for Now) - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Why did North Korea get nuclear weapons when other states with similar nuclear ambitions like ...
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North Korea dropped anti-American rhetoric in its external messaging during the summit period but kept it in classrooms. As it reemerges in KCNA, educational efforts are also being intensified according to new research by Gabriella Wangmu Zhaxi. www.38north.org/2026/06/nort...
North Korea Rebuilds Anti-American Rhetoric and Education - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
This commentary draws on a corpus of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) state ...
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Big changes have been underway for North Korea's WPK General Affairs Department, including the appointment of Kim Yo Jong as director. Michael Madden digs into what appears to be its elevated and evolving role within the party and decision making processes. www.38north.org/2026/06/on-a...
On a Mission From General Affairs Department - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
One significant outcome from North Korea’s Ninth Party Congress was the appointment of Kim Yo ...
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We are pleased to announce the 2026-2027 cohort of our 38 North Emerging Fellows Program and excited to introduce them to the Korea watcher field. Meet our new fellows: www.38north.org/2026/06/meet...
Meet the 2026-2027 Cohort for the 38 North Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The 38 North Program at the Henry L. Stimson Center is excited to welcome our 2026-2027 cohort ...
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As highlighted in recent media reports and tourists accounts, North Korea is modernizing. GWU's Yonho Kim chronicles one aspect of this modernization push: North Korea's remote learning capabilities and infrastructure from 2011 to today. www.38north.org/2026/05/buil...
Building a State-Controlled Knowledge Infrastructure: The Evolution of Distance Education in North Korea - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
More often than not, the outside world dismisses North Korean digital education as ...
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Check out a few perspectives about the Xi-Kim summit from 38 North and Stimson Center experts. Short takes from @jennytown.bsky.social, Rachel Minyoung Lee, James Kim, Michael Cunningham, and Andrew Oros. bit.ly/43tagHf
Xi Jinping's Visit to Pyongyang: Regional Roundup - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Stimson experts weigh in on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s June 8-9 visit to North Korea ...
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Sean Corbett conducts an imagery survey of North Korea's possible nuclear, chemical and biological defense battalions, as part of Project Anthracite. Several sites of interest were analyzed as part of this baseline study, however only one was located. www.38north.org/2026/05/proj...
Project Anthracite: Imagery Search for Possible Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Battalions - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The research in this article stems from Project Anthracite, a multiyear initiative funded by ...
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North Korea's latest constitution expands the power of the State Affairs Commission, consolidating power under Kim Jong Un. Read more about these changes from Michael Madden www.38north.org/2026/05/quic...
Quick Take: The Leader Gets a Strong Constitution - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The most recent North Korean (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK) constitution was ...
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The US ability to fight a multi-front war, especially across multiple theaters, is increasingly in question. Ju Hyung Kim examines how prepared South Korea is to defend itself in a potential dual contingency scenario and where greater attention is needed. www.38north.org/2026/04/how-...
How South Korea Might Fight a North Korean Invasion in a Dual-Contingency Scenario - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
For decades, deterrence on the Korean Peninsula has rested on a single fundamental assumption: ...
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North Korea's 20x10 policy implementation is going strong, but its sustainability is already in question. Moreover, the structural changes its promoting could further undermine economic development. Chan Young Bang and Samuel Han discuss theses challenges. www.38north.org/2026/04/eval...
North Korea's 20x10 Policy and the Challenges of Regional Development - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
The “20×10” regional development policy, introduced in January 2024, represents Kim Jong Un’s ...
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North Korea's claimed to have recently tested "cluster bomb warheads" (submunitions). Vann Van Diepen discusses why these are important to the country's arsenals and how the timing capitalizes on Iran's recent battlefield usage of this type of warhead. www.38north.org/2026/04/clus...
Cluster Warhead Tests Underscore the Important Conventional Role of North Korea's SRBMs - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
North Korea claimed that launches of KN-23/Hwasong-11A and Hwasong-11D short-range ballistic ...
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North Korea's Sinpo-B class (Gorae-class) ballistic missile submarine appears to have been moved to the dry dock at the Sinpo South Shipyard, likely for maintenance; while the cargo vessel is now fully inside the construction hall. Analysis by @jennytown.bsky.social . www.38north.org/2026/04/quic...
Quick Take: North Korea’s Sinpo-B Class Submarine Drydocked - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
On commercial satellite imagery of North Korea’s Sinpho South Shipyard, it appears that the ...
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