Big city lights: Pyongyang shone bright for Putin, even as rest of DPRK sat dark



Investigations Big city lights: Pyongyang shone bright for Putin, even as rest of DPRK sat dark NK Pro analysis of satellite data reveals increasing light levels in North Korea but also a striking urban-rural divide Anton Sokolin January 27, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Nocturnal lights in North Korea and surrounding countries on Dec. 31, 2024 \| Image: NASA-NOAA's VIIRS tool using the Black Marble Nighttime At Sensor Radiance layer The North Korean capital shone the brightest it has in years when it welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin with illuminated high-rises last June, lifting the entire country’s nighttime levels even as large swaths of the nation remained plunged in darkness. Appearing as the brightest spot in the country, Pyongyang’s elevated light levels in the wee hours of June 19 contributed to an overall increase in both annual and monthly radiance in the DPRK, NK Pro analysis of satellite data shows. But experts say the country’s persistent energy shortages, aging infrastructure and focus on Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01Why North Korea’s top military official may have been quietly demoted once again 02Where North Korea ranks in Trump’s foreign policy priorities for term two 03Why guidance systems are the Achilles’ heel of North Korea’s missile arsenal 04Why North Korea’s United Front Department likely survived anti-unification push 05How North Korea compels citizens to spy on each other with new surveillance law 06Forecast 2025: Why Kim Jong Un’s market crackdowns will spark social unrest 07Forecast 2025: Why Trump-Kim diplomacy will leave South Korea out in the cold 08North Korea pushes to perfect hypersonic tech with first missile launch of 2025

Investigations

Big city lights: Pyongyang shone bright for Putin, even as rest of DPRK sat dark

NK Pro analysis of satellite data reveals increasing light levels in North Korea but also a striking urban-rural divide

Anton Sokolin January 27, 2025

Big city lights: Pyongyang shone bright for Putin, even as rest of DPRK sat dark

Nocturnal lights in North Korea and surrounding countries on Dec. 31, 2024 | Image: NASA-NOAA's VIIRS tool using the Black Marble Nighttime At Sensor Radiance layer

The North Korean capital shone the brightest it has in years when it welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin with illuminated high-rises last June, lifting the entire country’s nighttime levels even as large swaths of the nation remained plunged in darkness.

Appearing as the brightest spot in the country, Pyongyang’s elevated light levels in the wee hours of June 19 contributed to an overall increase in both annual and monthly radiance in the DPRK, NK Pro analysis of satellite data shows.

But experts say the country’s persistent energy shortages, aging infrastructure and focus on

Big city lights: Pyongyang shone bright for Putin, even as rest of DPRK sat dark

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Anton Sokolin