Analysis
Latest NK PRO analysis related to the DPRK
How North Korea’s own military-industrial complex drives defense spending
Armed forces and munitions producers compete for resources but also have a shared interest in blocking demilitarization
January 4, 2023
Timeline: From North Korea’s party plenum to sending drones into South Korea
NK Pro timeline charts the key events from December 1 - December 31
January 3, 2023
Kim Jong Un ousts North Korea’s No. 2 military leader in major personnel shakeup
Pak Jong Chon’s removal from top positions hints at dissatisfaction with military units, as over 50 officials reshuffled
January 2, 2023
New North Korean luxury department store opens in capital after years of delays
Exclusive photos show high-end liquors for sale but little else at renamed Ryugyong Golden Plaza
January 2, 2023
Has North Korea moved on from the mass games and its human pixel card stunts?
DPRK has not held mass games in two years, replacing card-flipping kids with video projections at New Year’s Eve concert
January 2, 2023
How the nature of the North Korean regime impacts the effectiveness of sanctions
Autocracies are usually less susceptible to outside pressure but are more likely to acquiesce when sanctioned by an ally
January 2, 2023
Nukes, missiles and satellites: What to make of North Korea’s plenum outcome
Kim Jong Un’s confrontational stance toward Seoul raises risk of limited inter-Korean conflict in year ahead
January 1, 2023
North Korea places tactical nukes front and center with New Year’s Day launch
DPRK seeks to make KN-25 the backbone of its tactical nuclear forces, though the weapon likely can’t play that role yet
January 1, 2023
Unfinished business: Overlooked developments of North Korea’s busy missile year
DPRK has yet to test an array of desired capabilities, while the succession question remains publicly unresolved
December 30, 2022
Kim Jong Un’s biggest accomplishments of 2022, according to state propaganda
Main newspaper lauds missiles, COVID ‘victory’ and construction while glossing over food shortages and other problems
December 30, 2022
