NORTHKOREA

ARF Says North Korea's Nuclear, Missile Programs Threaten Regional Peace, Calls for Diplomacy First

Foreign ministers from across the Indo-Pacific warned that North Korea's continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles threatens regional peace and stability, while calling for renewed diplomatic efforts toward the complete denuclea

North Korea's Foreign Trade Rises 16% to $3.13 Billion in 2024, Nearing Pre-Pandemic Levels: KOTRA

North Korea's exports and imports both posted double-digit growth in 2024, pushing the country's total foreign trade up 16.5% year over year to $3.13 billion, according to a new report by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).The increa

Zelenskyy Claims Russia Seeks 30,000 More North Korean Troops, Though Rear-Area Deployment Seen as More Likely

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russia is seeking an additional 30,000 North Korean troops to support its war in Ukraine, fueling renewed speculation about Pyongyang's potential military involvement.While North Korea has alre

South Korea's Foreign Minister Urges North Korea to Resume Dialogue at ARF

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Wednesday urged North Korea to respond to Seoul's efforts to resume dialogue and cooperation during the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the only multilateral regional security forum attended by both Koreas.Cho, w

South Korea Warns Heavy Rains May Wash North Korean Landmines Into Southern Rivers

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) has urged the public to exercise caution after signs emerged that some North Korean landmines buried in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) may have been washed away by recent heavy rainfall.Speaking at a regular De

Imjin River Water Level Tops 3 Meters as North Korea's Hwanggang Dam Suspected of Releasing Water

The water level at Pilsung Bridge, the northernmost monitoring point on the Imjin River in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, has risen above 3 meters, as North Korea is believed to have released water from the upstream Hwanggang Dam.According to t

North Korea Chooses Russia Over ASEAN: What This Means for Regional Diplomacy

North Korea appears to have chosen bloc diplomacy with Russia over participating in multilateral diplomatic platforms involving South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and China. Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui opted to skip the Association of Southeast Asian Na

What Does North Korea's Shift from Jangmadang to Comprehensive Service Centers Mean for Local Economies?

On Tuesday, an analysis emerged suggesting that North Korea is dismantling local markets and constructing multifunctional Comprehensive Service Centers to create new markets under its Local Development 20×10 Policy.This move is interpreted as an atte

North Korea's Electronic Payment Network Triples in Three Years, Strengthening Economic Control

North Korea has rapidly expanded its smartphone-based electronic payment system beyond Pyongyang to cities and counties across the country, with the network supporting digital wallet deposits growing more than threefold over the past three years.The

China's Top Leadership Welcomes North Korean Premier as Delegation Tours Modern Infrastructure

North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song concluded his visit to China by touring Chinese recycling and urban rail management facilities, highlighting efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation on economic modernization.According to North Korea's ruling Wo