North Korea Professional Research Platform | NK PRO

Investigations

North Korea reveals look of new ‘international airport’ on Chinese border

Samjiyon airport and train station project are part of Kim Jong Un’s plans to ‘revitalize international tourism’

Investigations

North Korea debuts new X-shaped prison layout as it pushes ahead with expansion

NK Pro also identifies two additional sites undergoing reconstruction as part of nationwide prison modernization

State Media Review

North Korea praises medical students for donating own skin to infant burn victim

An in-depth analysis of a ‘touching’ health care tale, criticism of B-52 drill, enemy wreckage and a hagiographic play

Analysis

Six months in, Donald Trump’s North Korea strategy remains elusive as ever

Policy absence raises concern that US is asleep at the wheel even as the DPRK advances nuke program and ties with Russia

Analysis

Why fears of a North Korean answer to ChatGPT are grossly overblown

Pyongyang will struggle to replicate large language models, but deadlier AI applications are already within its grasp

Investigations

Kim Jong Un’s $7M yacht on display in Lavrov visit despite poor cover-up attempt

State media attempts to obscure that meeting took place on foreign-made Princess vessel by showing footage of older boat

Investigations

Radioactive Russian delivery to North Korea tests boundaries of UN sanctions

NK Pro uncovers deal for airlift of cobalt-60 by obscure logistics firm, prompting fears of misuse and sanctions evasion

State Media Review

Kim Jong Un leads commemoration of founding leader’s death anniversary

An in-depth analysis of tributes for Kim Il Sung, post plenum planning, heatwave warnings and sporting successes

Analysis

North Korean troops appear to assemble at military parade rehearsal base

Satellite imagery shows troop trucks at base near Pyongyang as signs point to October event

Analysis

North Korea may be preparing for first ‘mass games’ in 5 years: Imagery

Large-scale propaganda show appears set to take place around Oct. 10 holiday as workers start covering May Day Stadium

Analysis

Pyongyang pushes ahead on border checkpoint construction as Russian side lags

Foundations laid and structures rising in DPRK but no construction signs on Russian side as Kremlin replaces key figure

Analysis

Kim Jong Un’s new top bodyguard steps into spotlight after quiet shake-up

Change in top security personnel comes as North Korean leader enhances protection against assassination

Analysis

How North Korea’s missiles threaten South Korea — even when intercepted

Debris over Kyiv and Doha offers warning for Seoul, but experts say collateral damage is preferable to missile strike

State Media Review

North Korea condemns Quad denuclearization calls as ‘grave provocation’

An in-depth analysis of DPRK nuclear rhetoric, new propaganda posters and three laws adopted in secrecy

Investigations

No signs that North Korea dumping uranium waste into South’s waterways: Imagery

NK Pro analysis casts doubt on report of toxic discharge from Pyongsan facility, instead finding DPRK fixed pipe leak

Month in Review

North Korea in June 2025: A month in review and what’s ahead

An analytical look at the main developments from June 1 to June 30, 2025

Investigations

Kim Jong Un’s grand arrival at big beach resort used yacht handed down from dad

NK Pro analysis shows North Korean leader sailed to Wonsan Kalma aboard No. 999 yacht in effort to enhance royal image

Analysis

China could offer Seoul security guarantees against North Korea. Why won’t it?

Trump’s reevaluation of US alliances presents a chance for Beijing to play a bigger role that it has shunned so far

State Media Review

North Korea stages rallies marking Korean War anniversary with anti-US messaging

An in-depth analysis of June 25th events, censoring of South Korean soccer player and wet weather warnings

Analysis

North Korea starts new construction at Mount Paektu in bid to attract tourists

New work at Samjiyon Airport comes after Kim Jong Un ordered project near mountain on China border

Colin Zwirko

Colin Zwirko

Seung-Yeon Chung

Chad O’Carroll

N. Korea pays farm workers in devalued currency instead of grain

Dec 30, 2025

Economy

N. Koreans forced to fund housewarming gifts after paying for flood victims’ homes

Dec 30, 2025

Human Security / Human Rights

Court denies arrest warrant for drone commander Kim Yong-dae, citing defense rights

Jul 21, 2025

Leadership

Drone commander suspended over drone dispatch to NK allegedly linked to martial law

Jul 21, 2025

Leadership

South Korean spy agency halts broadcasts targeting North Korea as Seoul ramps up peace efforts

Jul 21, 2025

Cyber Security

South Korea’s spy agency suspends broadcasts targeting North Korean regime

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) suspended all of its decades-old broadcasts targeting the North Korean …

Jul 21, 2025

North Korea issues weather alert as heavy rains pound northern region

North Korea has issued a weather alert to warn residents against potential damage after heavy …

Jul 21, 2025

Seoul reviewing measures to improve ties with Pyongyang following report on individual trips to North

South Korea is reviewing various measures to ease tensions and improve ties with North Korea, …

Jul 21, 2025

Exclusive: US to deploy MQ-9 Reaper to S. Korea in first extended rotation

The United States will deploy its MQ-9 Reaper drone to the Korean Peninsula for approximately …

Jul 21, 2025

North criticizes Japan over joint fighter jet project with U.K. and Italy

North Korea slammed Japan for its joint next-generation fighter jet development project with the United …

Jul 21, 2025