Analysis | NK News
NK News Logo
April 03, 2025Apr 03, 2025

Analysis

Leading experts analyze recent events and affairs involving North Korea

North Korea on the silver screen: How South Korean films portray the DPRK

North Korea on the silver screen: How South Korean films portray the DPRK

Depictions of the rival state have evolved over the decades along with changes in the ROK’s politics and film industry

North Korea on the silver screen: How South Korean films portray the DPRK
Jason Bechervaise
Jason Bechervaise January 26, 2022
Why North Koreans make the rational choice to accept state repression
NK PRO

Why North Koreans make the rational choice to accept state repression

The DPRK’s crackdown on foreign media can make ignorance the best option, but it also comes at high cost to the regime

Why North Koreans make the rational choice to accept state repression
Peter Ward
Peter Ward January 25, 2022
Imports start to accumulate at North Korea’s massive new disinfection complex
NK PRO

Imports start to accumulate at North Korea’s massive new disinfection complex

High-res satellite images show trains unloading goods from China, revealing details about strict COVID-19 import scheme

Imports start to accumulate at North Korea’s massive new disinfection complex
Colin Zwirko
Colin Zwirko January 24, 2022
Foreign envoys downbeat about North Korean border reopening in near future
NK PRO

Foreign envoys downbeat about North Korean border reopening in near future

Diplomats tell NK Pro that suspended embassy operations could have long-term consequences even after the pandemic ends

Foreign envoys downbeat about North Korean border reopening in near future
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll | Ethan Jewell January 24, 2022
No god but the supreme leader: North Korea’s crusade against Christian boogeymen

No god but the supreme leader: North Korea’s crusade against Christian boogeymen

The DPRK views missionaries as a threat to state ideology, which functions like a religion centered on the Kim family

No god but the supreme leader: North Korea’s crusade against Christian boogeymen
Tatiana Gabroussenko
Tatiana Gabroussenko January 24, 2022
Two years on: Humanitarian consequences of North Korea’s border lockdown
NK PRO

Two years on: Humanitarian consequences of North Korea’s border lockdown

With the return of aid workers to the DPRK nowhere in sight, conditions for the most vulnerable are likely worsening

Two years on: Humanitarian consequences of North Korea’s border lockdown
Chad O'Carroll
Chad O'Carroll | Ethan Jewell January 21, 2022
Small state, grand strategy: North Korea’s policy plans for 2022 and beyond
NK PRO

Small state, grand strategy: North Korea’s policy plans for 2022 and beyond

Despite an inward focus for this year, Pyongyang still eyes the big-picture goal of recognition as a nuclear state

Small state, grand strategy: North Korea’s policy plans for 2022 and beyond
Edward Howell
Edward Howell January 21, 2022
‘Absolutely crazy’: Chaos at Chinese ports, Omicron threaten DPRK trade restart
NK PRO

‘Absolutely crazy’: Chaos at Chinese ports, Omicron threaten DPRK trade restart

Handful of cases can shutter entire port cities as Beijing pursues elusive zero-COVID approach

‘Absolutely crazy’: Chaos at Chinese ports, Omicron threaten DPRK trade restart
Ethan Jewell
Ethan Jewell January 20, 2022
Phoning it in: Expect another year of nothing from Biden on North Korea
NK PRO

Phoning it in: Expect another year of nothing from Biden on North Korea

Dealing with Kim Jong Un is more difficult than ever, and the White House has shown little urgency on engaging Pyongyang

Phoning it in: Expect another year of nothing from Biden on North Korea
James Fretwell
James Fretwell January 20, 2022
The North Korean studio that has animated a Christmas film and Italian cartoons

The North Korean studio that has animated a Christmas film and Italian cartoons

Newly sanctioned SEK Studio has worked with South Korean and European artists for decades, raising money for Pyongyang

The North Korean studio that has animated a Christmas film and Italian cartoons
Benjamin R. Young
Benjamin R. Young January 19, 2022