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Analysis

Leading experts analyze recent events and affairs involving North Korea

Jesters in the king’s service: Standup comedy in North Korea

Jesters in the king’s service: Standup comedy in North Korea

Popular propaganda performers lampoon social vices, but their satirical barbs never stray toward dissent

Jesters in the king’s service: Standup comedy in North Korea
Tatiana Gabroussenko
Tatiana Gabroussenko October 6, 2021
North Korea’s official oil imports tick up but remain far below its needs
NK PRO

North Korea’s official oil imports tick up but remain far below its needs

Sanctions and the pandemic have battered imports of refined petroleum, but smuggling may cover part of the gap

North Korea’s official oil imports tick up but remain far below its needs
Ethan Jewell
Ethan Jewell October 6, 2021
Naughty or nice? How North Korea can change the game up to Christmas and beyond
NK PRO

Naughty or nice? How North Korea can change the game up to Christmas and beyond

Moon's term in office may end in Olympic and summit glory, but Kim could spoil it all with more and bigger missile tests

Naughty or nice? How North Korea can change the game up to Christmas and beyond
James Fretwell
James Fretwell October 5, 2021
Reshuffles at North Korea’s parliament session suggest volatility at the top
NK PRO

Reshuffles at North Korea’s parliament session suggest volatility at the top

The latest round of promotions and demotions highlights major changes in DPRK leadership since January

Reshuffles at North Korea’s parliament session suggest volatility at the top
Martin Weiser
Martin Weiser October 4, 2021
Have your cake and eat it too: North Korea combines talks and ‘provocations’
NK PRO

Have your cake and eat it too: North Korea combines talks and ‘provocations’

DPRK to dangle opportunities for peace while continuing weapons tests in effort to push Seoul in the direction it wants

Have your cake and eat it too: North Korea combines talks and ‘provocations’
Jeongmin Kim
Jeongmin Kim October 4, 2021
How Cuban cigars bankroll North Korean overseas missions

How Cuban cigars bankroll North Korean overseas missions

Slinging stogies has long been a reliable side hustle for DPRK envoys, who regularly abuse their diplomatic privileges

How Cuban cigars bankroll North Korean overseas missions
Ethan Jewell
Ethan Jewell October 4, 2021
North Korea’s new hypersonic missile and its likely implications
NK PRO

North Korea’s new hypersonic missile and its likely implications

Ampulized missiles, if widely deployed, would represent a significant upgrade to North Korea's weapon arsenal

North Korea’s new hypersonic missile and its likely implications
Ankit Panda
Ankit Panda October 1, 2021
North Korea-China trade may be on the up and up, says South Korean association
NK PRO

North Korea-China trade may be on the up and up, says South Korean association

Trade group says some DPRK factories are seeing pre-pandemic demand levels, though COVID still a limiting factor

North Korea-China trade may be on the up and up, says South Korean association
Ethan Jewell
Ethan Jewell October 1, 2021
Timeline: From North and South Korean missile tests to offer to resume hotlines
NK PRO

Timeline: From North and South Korean missile tests to offer to resume hotlines

NK Pro timeline charts the key events from September 1 to September 30

Timeline: From North and South Korean missile tests to offer to resume hotlines
NK Pro
NK Pro October 1, 2021
Fake news? North Korea quickly recalled Rodong Sinmun after name mix-up
NK PRO

Fake news? North Korea quickly recalled Rodong Sinmun after name mix-up

DPRK propagandists made a rare mistake that could have been a misprint, or a sign of behind-the-scenes power struggles

Fake news? North Korea quickly recalled Rodong Sinmun after name mix-up
Martin Weiser
Martin Weiser October 1, 2021