News & Commentary

North Koreans expressed amazement at American power after learning of the U.S. arrest of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro in internal lectures, signaling the incident could have an outsized psychological impact—especially on Pyongyang’s political class.

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

North Korea’s estimated $2 billion-plus crypto theft, used to evade sanctions and fund weapons programs, has turned Pyongyang into a “rogue crypto superpower,” pushing Washington toward confrontation as cybercrime becomes central to Kim Jong Un’s survival strategy. News Summary North Korea likely stole over US$2 billion in cryptocurrency last year, using cyber theft and illicit IT worker activities to evade sanctions and fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Speak

Xi Jinping’s call for “patience” on North Korea’s nuclear issue is not about a peace effort but about buying time for North Korea to strengthen itself while serving China’s strategic interests. News Summary On January 7, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “patience” on North Korea’s nuclear issue when South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked China to act as a mediator for peace on the Korean Peninsula. However, China’s official statement following the summit made no refere

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

South Korea’s decision to open public access to Rodong Sinmun marks a significant policy shift that risks exposing the country to North Korea’s long-term information warfare under the guise of peace and engagement. News Summary On December 30, 2025, South Korea eased a decades-long restriction, allowing the public to access North Korea’s ruling party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun , without prior government approval. The paper has been reclassified from a “special publication” to

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