North Korea

Money

North Korean hackers suspected in €332.8m crypto heist as it leads global hacks

North Korea, one of the world’s most closed-off countries, has been linked to some of this year’s largest cryptocurrency thefts. Proceeds from such attacks help fund its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, according to the US government.

28/09/2026

North Korea

Russia recruits up to 25,000 North Koreans to assemble drones, UN says

Pyongyang, which supports Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has helped staff and arm its forces. The UN says up to 25,000 North Koreans assemble drones in Russia, with most of their pay seized by Kim Jong-un's regime.

24/09/2026

North Korea

North Korea's Kim hails 'new-type weapon' days after missile launch

North Korea has legally enshrined its status as a nuclear-armed state, with its leadership repeatedly declaring the country's atomic arsenal permanent and irreversible.

22/09/2026

North Korea

North Korea launches 'suspected ballistic missile' into East Sea

In August, Trump told reporters that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had "57 very powerful nuclear weapons" as he once again touted the pair's relationship.

20/09/2026

North Korea

First road bridge with Russia a sign of tighter ties, North Korea says

The opening on Monday came as Russia and North Korea have heavily boosted military and economic ties since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

08/09/2026

North Korea

US-North Korea summit 'possible at any time,' Seoul spy agency says

Trump met Kim three times during his first term, once declaring they were "in love," in high-profile summits aimed at securing a denuclearisation deal, but no tangible progress was made.

01/09/2026

North Korea

North Korea launches missile toward sea ahead of US-South Korea drills

A ballistic missile fired from the North’s eastern coastal Wonsan area around 6am flew more than 700 kilometres, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Seoul condemned the test and warned it remains ready to repel any provocation in cooperation with the US.

12/08/2026

North Korea

North Korea fires ballistic missile, South Korea's military says

North Korea has repeatedly declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear state since leader Kim Jong- un's 2019 summit with US President Donald Trump collapsed over the scope of denuclearisation and sanctions relief.

06/08/2026

North Korea

North Korea warns of 'military options' over Japan rearmament drive

Japan has been gradually moving away from its post-World War II pacifist status, increasing military spending, ramping up defence pacts and deploying missile launchers to its outer islands.

05/08/2026

North Korea

Pyongyang vows to strengthen nuclear force 'in quality and quantity'

North Korean leaders also laid out plans to accelerate the building of modern naval bases and to upgrade combat systems, per KCNA.

10/07/2026

North Korea

North Korean soldier crosses demilitarised zone into South Korea

According to data from South Korea's Ministry of Unification, more than 34,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since its records began in 1998.

25/06/2026

Culture Series

Best regards: Stephan Gladieu on capturing the people of North Korea

Ahead of his exhibition at the Musée des Confluences in Lyon, French photographer Stephan Gladieu talked to European Lens about his series titled ‘North Korea’, a collection of photographs taken over three years and several trips to the reclusive country.

18/06/2026

No Comment

Xi Jinping meets Kim Jong Un as China and North Korea tighten alliance

China's President travelled to North Korea for the first time in seven years, underscoring the strategic importance of ties between the two neighbours.

09/06/2026

North Korea

China's Xi vows 'new heights' in North Korea ties during rare visit

It was Xi's first visit to North Korea in seven years. Xi and Kim last met in Beijing in September after viewing a military parade alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and other foreign leaders.

09/06/2026

North Korea

North Korea fires ballistic missile into Yellow Sea, Seoul says

The North has also repeatedly shunned efforts by the South Korean government to improve relations, repeatedly calling Seoul its most "hostile" adversary.

26/05/2026

North Korea

North Korea tells military to bolster defences against 'arch enemy'

The plans come at a low point in relations with South Korea and Pyongyang unresponsive to Seoul's repeated offers for dialogue.

18/05/2026

North Korea

North Korea slams UK over sanctions on Songdowon children's camp

Since the war in Ukraine erupted in 2022, 2,318 Ukrainian children remain missing, while 20,570 have been deported or forcibly displaced and 704 killed, according to a Ukrainian government portal.

15/05/2026

North Korea

North Korea says not bound by nuclear non-proliferation treaty

North Korea has insisted that it will not give up its nuclear arsenal, describing its path as "irreversible" and vowing to strengthen its capabilities.

07/05/2026

North Korea

North Korea drops mention to unification with South from constitution

China has long been the country's main economic backer, though Pyongyang has drawn closer to Moscow since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

06/05/2026

North Korea

Russia and North Korea connect road bridge ahead of summer opening

Ties between both countries have surged amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow and Pyongyang deepening economic, political, cultural and military links.

21/04/2026

North Korea

North Korea conducts multiple ballistic missile tests

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Sunday, the latest in a series of recent weapons tests that analysts say signal Pyongyang's rejection of South Korea's attempts to ease tensions.

19/04/2026

North Korea

China and Russia ties driving North Korean economic recovery

China has long been the diplomatically isolated country's main economic backer, though Pyongyang has also drawn closer to Moscow since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

17/04/2026

North Korea

North Korea tests ballistic missiles as tensions with Seoul escalate

The back-to-back launches came after Pyongyang made it clear that it had no intention of improving ties with Seoul, whose government steadfastly expressed its hopes of restoring long-dormant dialogue.

08/04/2026

Travel News

China resumes flights to North Korea after a six-year pause

Air China resumed direct flights to North Korea on Monday after a six-year pause. Following the return of rail services, the move signals a major step in reopening the isolated nation after strict pandemic-era border closures.

30/03/2026

North Korea

Belarus's Lukashenko gifts assault rifle to North Korea's Kim Jong Un

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchange gifts during Lukashenko's visit to Pyongyang. Lukashenko presents an assault rifle and traditional Belarusian products, while Kim Jong Un gifts a sabre, an ornate vase, and a gold commemorative coin.

27/03/2026

North Korea

Belarus' Lukashenka gifts automatic rifle to North Korea's Kim

The two leaders sign a new friendship treaty during Lukashenka's visit to Pyongyang, deepening their anti-Western alliance and backing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

26/03/2026