Author: northkorea

In a continued display of military activity, North Korea executed its third test of cruise missiles within a week, launching the projectiles into the waters off its western coast. The Joint Chiefs of Staff from South Korea reported, “Several unknown cruise missiles were detected launched into the West Sea of North Korea around 07:00 [22:00 GMT].” Both South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies are currently analyzing the gathered data. It is important to note that North Korea is not prohibited from testing cruise missiles under the enduring United Nations sanctions related to its nuclear program. The nation has already conducted…

In the latest demonstration of its advancing military capabilities, North Korean state media announced on Thursday the testing of a new cruise missile, signalling a worrisome escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Leader Kim Jong Un’s relentless pursuit of weapons development is seen as a primary driver of these heightened concerns. The state media report followed a revelation by South Korea’s military that North Korea had launched several cruise missiles into waters off its western coast. Despite the lack of specific details from the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding the number of missiles fired or their flight characteristics,…

In an exclusive revelation, the United Kingdom has shared satellite photographs with a panel of UN experts, aiming to prompt an official investigation into potential arms deals violating international sanctions. The images reportedly show Russian ships loading cargo at North Korea’s Najin port, fueling accusations that Pyongyang is supplying ballistic missiles and artillery shells to Russia for its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. The allegations gained traction after a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in Russia’s far east in September. The bilateral ties between the two nations seem to be deepening, evident in a recent meeting between…

Between 1910 and 1945, Japan undertook a relentless campaign to erase Korean culture, language, and history, leaving lasting scars that still resonate in the present day. During the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, a controversial statement by an NBC commentator stirred outrage among South Koreans, reigniting the wounds of Japan’s occupation. Analyst Joshua Cooper Ramo’s assertion that Korea’s global success was due to Japan’s influence prompted tens of thousands of South Koreans to sign a petition demanding an apology, as it reopened painful memories of Japanese imperialism and wartime atrocities. Japan’s Annexation of Korea In 1910, Korea fell under Japanese rule…

Once a prestigious five-star resort gracefully floating over Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Hotel Haegumgang now rests in a state of disrepair within a North Korean port, a brief 20-minute drive from the Demilitarized Zone, the tightly controlled region dividing the two Koreas. In a perplexing journey spanning over 30 years and covering more than 10,000 miles, the world’s inaugural floating hotel concluded its odyssey in a tragic twist, leading to its current fate on the brink of demolition. As per intelligence reports from South Korea, the North Korean government purportedly razed the floating Hotel Haegumgang in 2022, joining the…

North Korea says it has carried out a test of its “underwater nuclear weapons system” in response to drills by the US, South Korea and Japan this week. The underwater drone, which supposedly can carry a nuclear weapon, was tested off the east coast, state media said. There is no other evidence of the tests being conducted and Seoul had earlier said the North’s descriptions of the drones’ capability were exaggerated.South Korea called the reported tests a “provocation”. It “threatens peace on [the] Korean Peninsula and the world,” the South Korea’s defence ministry said, adding: “If North Korea directly provokes…

Known as one of the world’s most secretive and tightly-controlled nations, North Korea remains a destination rarely explored by tourists. With only 4,000 to 6,000 visitors annually, the country’s unique visa requirements and restricted access raise intriguing questions for those contemplating a visit. Can I Visit North Korea? Contrary to common assumptions, it is indeed possible for most people to visit North Korea. However, such visits must be arranged through approved tour agencies, with visitors accompanied by guides throughout their stay. While this provides a rare glimpse into the country, it comes with limitations. Tourists cannot freely explore, interact with…

North Korea boasts one of the most tightly controlled media environments globally, where freedom of speech and press, as stipulated in the constitution, is routinely disregarded in favor of government-approved narratives. An illustrative instance is the delayed disclosure of Kim Jong Il’s death, which remained undisclosed for two days. Despite this rigid control, the landscape is witnessing subtle shifts with the advent of new technologies. State-run media outlets are gradually establishing an online presence, and mobile phone ownership has surged, reaching an estimated four million subscribers in 2022. Kang Shin-sam, a technology expert, notes that North Korea stands unparalleled in…

In a significant departure from its longstanding objective, North Korea, led by Kim Jong-un, has officially renounced the pursuit of peaceful reunification with South Korea. Instead, Kim Jong-un issued a threat of subjugation through potential nuclear conflict, marking a profound shift in the dynamics of the Korean Peninsula. Over the past decades, North Korea’s stance towards South Korea has fluctuated, oscillating between branding the South as its “sworn” and “principal enemy” and engaging in dialogue regarding potential reunification. However, according to reports from state media on Tuesday, North Korea has formally discarded peaceful reunification as a core policy goal. Kim…

In the tightly controlled regime of North Korea, citizens are indoctrinated with the Juche ideology, centered around the supremacy of Kim Il Sung. This ideology, championed by the Kim dynasty, shapes the lives of North Koreans, molding their identities and suppressing any individual sense of self or freedom. Criticising the state is considered a crime, with potential repercussions for one’s entire family. Enforced through “The Workers’ Party’s Ten Principles of the Establishment of a Unitary Ideology System,” citizens are compelled to memorize and adhere to these principles, limiting any dissent or attempts for change. Criticizing the state is considered a…