North Korea’s pre–party congress rocket test and pledge to expand its nuclear deterrent signal that Kim Jong Un is preparing more provocations going forward—not from confidence, but from deepening insecurity, having watched sanctioned regimes like Iran and Venezuela begin to fall under U.S. pressure.

Despite Seoul’s engagement efforts, the Kim regime continues to label South Korea as its number one enemy because hostility toward the South is essential both to counter the internal threat posed by K-culture and to strategically pressure a conciliatory South Korean government into concessions in the name of peace.

Calls by South Korean progressive groups to suspend U.S.–ROK military exercises reflect a coordinated domestic push—widely seen as aligned with Pyongyang’s strategy—to weaken the alliance under the constraints of U.S. pressure on Seoul.

North Korea’s rapid replacement of Kim Jong Un’s top personal security chiefs signals rising fears of assassination and a deep erosion of loyalty within the regime’s elite amid mounting internal and external pressures. News Summary North Korea has replaced its top military officials responsible for guarding Kim Jong Un, according to South Korea’s unification ministry, with the changes observed during an October 2025 military parade. The replacement comes amid heightened con

Kim Ju Ae’s center-stage appearance signals a more prominent role this year as the regime elevates the next generation to ensure its survival amid internal strain and succession uncertainty. News Summary Kim Ju Ae, the daughter of Kim Jong Un, appeared at center stage during her first public visit to the family mausoleum, paying tribute alongside her parents and top officials on New Year’s Day. Her prominent positioning has intensified speculation that she may be being eleva

North Korea’s fierce condemnation of Japan’s record defense budget reflects not just historical propaganda, but deep fear that a more militarily capable Japan—firmly aligned with the United States—could derail Pyongyang’s long-term ambitions on the Korean Peninsula.

While direct U.S. military regime change in North Korea is unlikely due to its proximity to China and Russia, news of Maduro’s capture could rapidly erode the perception of regime invincibility among North Korean elites, military officers, and ordinary citizens.

News Summary According to the 38 North report , North Korea has been modernizing and expanding its Yongbyon nuclear complex throughout 2025, with satellite imagery showing new construction, increased activity at a suspected enrichment site, and upgrades across key facilities. These developments align with Kim Jong Un’s directives for “exponential growth” in weapons-grade material production, supported by continued reactor operations and testing of new nuclear capabilities. Co

News Summary North Korea condemned recent U.S.–South Korea security talks as a deliberate show of hostility and vowed to take more “offensive” measures in response to perceived threats. North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol accused Washington of escalating tensions through joint drills and military deployments, warning that any encroachment on the North’s security would be met with force. Commentary North Korea’s strategy is clear: to pressure Seoul and Washington into

Despite Trump’s willingness to meet Kim Jong Un, Kim cannot risk another fruitless photo opportunity or failed negotiation without a clear guarantee of recognition for his country’s nuclear status.

News Summary President Trump said he would be open to meeting Kim Jong Un during his Asian trip, telling reporters aboard Air Force One. When asked whether he would recognize North Korea as a nuclear state, he replied, “I think they’re sort of a nuclear power… they’ve got a lot of nuclear weapons, I’ll say that.” Commentary As mentioned several times before, we must distinguish between Trump’s diplomatic rhetoric and his actual policy. Trump’s responses to reporters’ questio

News Summary North Korea revealed its new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile during a major military parade on October 10,...

By asserting that North Korea can strike the U.S. mainland, South Korea’s unification minister risks amplifying Kim Jong Un’s propaganda narrative despite unresolved technical doubts—fueling concerns that Pyongyang may be leveraging blackmail or coercion to shape political behavior in Seoul. A t a recent press briefing in Berlin, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young stated , “North Korea has become one of only three countries capable of striking the U.S. mainlan

News Summary Kim Jong Un said he still has a “good memory” of U.S. President Donald Trump and indicated that Pyongyang would be willing...

Explore why President Trump’s remarks about meeting Kim during his summit with Lee are diplomatic gestures rather than genuine intent—and how his North Korea policy could shift dramatically to outlast the regime.

News Summary A new CSIS report has revealed a secret North Korean missile base, Sinpung-dong, located just 27 kilometers from the...

News Summary Kim Jong Un awarded commendations to North Korean troops deployed to Russia for the first time, praising them as “great...

News Summary Russia’s Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov praised North Korean troops for aiding Moscow in the war against Ukraine...

Explore why the U.S. must move beyond stalled denuclearization policy—and how a Second Reagan Doctrine brings the clarity needed to confront a nuclear North Korea and shape the post-Kim future.

News Summary The Trump administration announced a coordinated set of actions to disrupt North Korea's illicit revenue-generating...