NORTHKOREA

U.S.-South Korea Joint Military Exercises: Why This Year's Freedom Shield Is Different

The joint U.S.-South Korea military exercise Freedom Shield (FS) is currently underway, but the atmosphere surrounding this year's drills is markedly different from previous years. Both nations are keeping a low profile about the exercise, and North

Is North Korea's Electoral Reform Genuine? A Deep Dive into the 2026 Supreme People's Assembly Elections

The North Korean equivalent of a general election, the Supreme People's Assembly (analogous to the U.S. Congress), is set to hold its delegate elections in just two days on Friday. This election for the 15th term delegates will feature multiple candi

THE CALIBER OF SUCCESSION : Why Ju Ae’s Finger On The Trigger Is A Message To The World

Recently, North Korean state media has been increasingly showcasing Kim Jong Un's daughter, Ju-ae, alongside the Supreme Leader. Notably, Ju-ae has been photographed handling firearms twice this year, leading analysts to suggest that Pyongyang is cul

WALLS WITHIN WALLS : Deciphering The Strategic Growth Of North Korea’s "Re-education" Map

Over the past year, North Korea has been observed undertaking reconstruction efforts at three prison facilities, indicating a potential expansion of both detention capacity and management capabilities.On Thursday, NK News, a U.S.-based media outlet f

How the New South-North Forest Cooperation Pact Aims for 2050 Carbon Neutrality

On Thursday, the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KoAGI), under the Korea Forest Service, announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Inter-Korean Forest Cooperation Forum to preserve the forest ecosystem on the Korean Pe

North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly Elections: What to Expect on March 15?

North Korea has announced the candidates for the upcoming 15th Supreme People's Assembly elections, scheduled for March 15.On Friday, the ruling party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that the registration of delegate candidates was fina

THE STEEL RAIN’S CORE : Why North Korea Is Now Pairing Its "50 Hearts" With High-Caliber Rockets

Voice of America (VOA) reported on Friday that North Korea, which continues to expand its nuclear capabilities, may currently possess up to 50 nuclear weapons.Former International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Deputy Director General Olli Heinonen warn

North Korean Defector’s Son Pleads for Help as Mother Faces Forced Repatriation from China

A North Korean defector family residing in South Korea has made an urgent plea for assistance, stating that their mother is at risk of being forcibly repatriated from China.On Thursday, Amnesty International's South Korea branch organized a press con

THE CRIMSON CLASSROOM : Why Kim Ju Ae Is Learning To Command From The Front Row

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of strengthening nuclear deterrence while observing a cruise missile test launch from a new destroyer.The state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on its front page that operational evaluati

SHADOWS AT THE BORDER : Deciphering The Strategic Silence Over The Latest Abduction Case

The government has officially classified an additional North Korean defector as a detained person in North Korea. This individual, Ham Jin-woo, disappeared while reporting from the North Korea-China border region in 2017.On Wednesday, the Ministry of