On 1 May every year, thousands of North Koreans celebrate International Workers Day. Recently, festivities have exposed the rift between the haves and have-nots, writes Daily NK Pyongyang is awash in a sea of flags as waves of workers, bouquets in hand, line up in front of the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il on Mansudae Hill to pay their respects. The Rodong Sinmun , official mouthpiece of...
Satellite images of launch site said to show work on ICBM known as KN-08 that has been showcased at military parades New satellite imagery indicates North Korea has been testing the engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile, a US thinktank has said, amid concerns the North is preparing a nuclear test. The US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said images of the North's main rocket...
Since Kim Yo-jong made her first public appearance this year, her star has been rising. Is she overtaking Ri Sol-ju in the race to become Pyongyang's most influential woman, asks Daily NK Debate continues over the likely political role awaiting Kim Yo-jong after her first public appearance at the Supreme Peoples Assembly elections in March. Some are now questioning if the public debut of Kim Jong-uns...
Would you jump at the chance to visit the hermit kingdom? Or do accusations about the regime make it a no go? Continue reading... ...
As North Korea opens its doors to more tourists, NK News asks whether it's ethical to contribute to the coffers of a regime that commits grave human rights abuses Poll: Would you travel to North Korea? While debate about the appropriateness of tourism in North Korea has swirled for many years, it has become increasingly prominent of late. Increasing tourist numbers have meant increasing attention...
To celebrate the launch of the Guardians North Korea network were giving away two pairs of tickets for an audience with Jang Jin-sung, a former member of the Pyongang elite Jang Jin-sung used to be a member of the North Korean elite, personally endorsed by Kim Jong-il, and was appointed poet laureate after writing a poem about the Kim dynasty and the state. He enjoyed a privileged life in Pyongyang...
1. The Dear Leader prize draw (the "Prize Draw") is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over. Continue reading... ...
May Day call follows 'Masikryeong speed' to build ski resort, 'Huichon speed' under Kim Jong-il and 'Chollima speed' under Kim Jong-sung. Daily NK reports To mark International Workers Day, state periodical the Rodong Sinmun has called for labourers across North Korea to take on Chosun speed and safeguard the socialist system under Kim Jong-un". Chosun speed" follows on the heels of Masikryeong...
The economy is changing rapidly with a growing 'grey area' that runs on market principles, says Choson Exchange How to get a job in North Korea Meet Mr X, a North Korean entrepreneur If I can just find a few thousand dollars, I know I can produce baguettes that people will love here. So said a participant at one of our workshops last year, talking about his dream of starting his own business. We take...
After UN report criticising Pyongyang, North accuses Seoul of infringing democratic rights and freedoms. DailyNK reports North Korea has announced the publication of a white paper criticising the human rights situation in South Korea, condemning the Park Geun Hye administration as puppets under the rule of an American colony. In a piece published by the official newspaper Rodong Sinmun on 30 April...
Children of the rich and powerful get the best work. Ordinary students have no aspirations for their future - the state decides their fate, writes North Korean defector Mina Yoon Capitalism in North Korea: Meet Mr X, a private entrepreneur Every week, NK News asks a North Korean your questions, giving you the chance to learn more about the country we know so little about. This week Matthew M asks:...
Capitalism is not meant to exist in the communist country, but since the early 2000s private enterprises have been quietly booming writes Andrei Lankov Bribery and birthright: how to get a job in North Korea I would like to introduce you to Mr X, a successful North Korean businessman. Of course, the vast majority of newspaper readers worldwide assume that in an allegedly Stalinist country (like North...
Regime tells South it will conduct military exercises near sea boundary as tensions simmer over possible fourth nuclear test North Korea has notified the South that it plans a live-fire drill near the countries' disputed western sea boundary, a possible indication of rising frustration in Pyongyang as it unsuccessfully pushes for outside aid. The South Korean defence ministry said military officials...
Want to see Kim Jong-un's latest PR stunt, or sing along to Moranbong Band's hits? North Korea Tech rates the most popular YouTube channels posting footage on the secretive state Its easier than ever to watch the latest video from North Korea thanks to a handful of YouTube channels that have sprung up in the last few years. Heres a list of some of the best North Korea-focused channels that Ive found...
Deng's height and Kim Jong-il's liver spots are two diplomatic minefields facing Chinese waxwork modeller Zhang Molei The special allure of waxworks, says Zhang Molei, China's foremost exponent of the art, is the opportunity to pose alongside the great and good. Even leaders cannot resist being captured beside their predecessors. A photograph in the Great Man Wax Museum of China's office shows Li Yuanchao,...
When staff at Choson Exchange aren't training North Korean entrepreneurs, they're exploring the country. This month, they stopped at Kim Jong-un's latest prestige project, and felt like they'd stumbled onto the set of The Shining Two weeks ago we had the chance to stop by Masikryong on the way back from our workshop in Wonsan. North Korea has g randiose plans for Wonsan as a tourist destination ,...
Pyongyang hits out at Park Geun-hye's relationship with 'pimp' Obama and says it is ready for full-scale nuclear war North Korea has launched a personal attack on the South Korean president, Park Geun-hye, calling her a "crafty prostitute" in thrall to her "pimp" Barack Obama, as it said it was ready for "full-scale nuclear war". In an unusually strongly worded diatribe...
US would use force to defend allies, says president, condemning 'pariah state that starves its people' during South Korea trip Barack Obama has warned North Korea that the United States "will not hesitate to use our military might" to defend allies, condemning the actions of "a pariah state that would rather starve its people than feed their hopes and dreams" and characterising...
Pyongyang issues report about detention of 24-year-old as US president Barack Obama meets South Korean counterpart North Korea has detained an American tourist for "rash behaviour" while passing through immigration, the official KCNA news agency reported on Friday as Barack Obama met the South Korean president in Seoul. The state news agency said the 24-year-old was placed in custody over...
Satellite images suggest Pyongyang could be planning show of strength to coincide with US presidential visit to South Barack Obama arrived in Seoul on Friday to growing signs North Korea was preparing for another nuclear test. The American president landed at a US Air Force base outside a South Korean capital still wracked with grief over the 300 people dead or missing more than a week after the sinking...