News: North Korea

We have started to collect the most important news related to North Korea in November 2005. By default, most recent news are listed first.

World news related to North Korea – overview

• 1. by date ↓
• 2. by title ↑

• December 30th 2020 – February 4th 2020
• February 2nd 2020 – June 30th 2019
• June 29th 2019 – March 7th 2019
• March 3rd 2019 – November 16th 2018
• November 12th 2018 – July 15th 2018
• July 12th 2018 – May 29th 2018
• May 28th 2018 – April 17th 2018
• April 16th 2018 – September 21st 2017
• September 19th 2017 – July 30th 2017
• July 30th 2017 – May 23rd 2017
• May 18th 2017 – April 2nd 2017
• April 1st 2017 – January 25th 2017
• January 19th 2017 – September 21st 2016
• September 20th 2016 – May 27th 2016
• May 27th 2016 – March 16th 2016
• March 15th 2016 – January 6th 2016
• January 6th 2016 – September 16th 2015
• September 16th 2015 – May 13th 2015
• May 11th 2015 – January 18th 2015
• January 14th 2015 – November 14th 2014
• November 11th 2014 – August 5th 2014
• August 2nd 2014 – May 2nd 2014
• May 2nd 2014 – March 17th 2014
• March 13th 2014 – January 2nd 2014
• January 1st 2014 – October 3rd 2013
• October 2nd 2013 – July 17th 2013
• July 16th 2013 – April 26th 2013
• April 26th 2013 – April 2nd 2013
• April 2nd 2013 – February 5th 2013
• January 30th 2013 – November 23rd 2012
• November 22nd 2012 – August 21st 2012
• August 17th 2012 – May 17th 2012
• May 15th 2012 – March 23rd 2012
• March 23rd 2012 – December 28th 2011
• December 28th 2011 – October 14th 2011
• October 14th 2011 – June 17th 2011
• June 16th 2011 – February 24th 2011
• February 24th 2011 – December 10th 2010
• December 10th 2010 – October 12th 2010
• October 12th 2010 – August 16th 2010
• August 16th 2010 – June 9th 2010
• June 9th 2010 – April 16th 2010
• April 15th 2010 – December 11th 2009
• December 10th 2009 – September 2nd 2009
• August 29th 2009 – June 25th 2009
• June 25th 2009 – April 20th 2009
• April 17th 2009 – February 23rd 2009
• February 20th 2009 – October 22nd 2008
• October 20th 2008 – July 16th 2008
• July 13th 2008 – April 1st 2008
• March 28th 2008 – November 3rd 2007
• October 31st 2007 – July 27th 2007
• July 26th 2007 – April 25th 2007
• April 23rd 2007 – January 24th 2007
• January 20th 2007 – October 16th 2006
• October 16th 2006 – July 21st 2006
• July 19th 2006 – April 7th 2006
• April 6th 2006 – November 11th 2005

North Korea: news

Why it is getting harder to escape from North Korea

Wednesday, December 30th 2020, 2:01

Hundreds of defectors make the perilous journey every year, and now it's become even more arduous.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korea: Potato propaganda is back... but what does it mean?

Saturday, December 19th 2020, 0:00

Why is North Korea promoting the humble spud in movies, culinary shows, and news reports?
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Korean lantern festival gets Unesco heritage honours

Wednesday, December 16th 2020, 16:11
related countries: South Korea

South Korea's celebration of Buddha's birthday has won Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage status.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

South Korea balloons: Seoul to ban people sending cross-border messages

Monday, December 14th 2020, 17:23
related countries: South Korea
related places: Seoul

Human rights activists oppose the new ban on sending anti-North Korea leaflets over the border.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Cho Ju-bin: 40 years jail for South Korean chatroom sex abuse group leader

Thursday, November 26th 2020, 4:16

South Korean Cho Ju-bin ran a group which blackmailed girls into sharing sexual videos.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

The ways North Korea is trying to tackle smoking

Saturday, November 14th 2020, 0:06

The habit is common and Kim Jong-un is often seen with a cigarette in hand at public appearances.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korea: Going back in time with Pyongyang's austere hotels

Friday, November 6th 2020, 0:17
related places: Pyongyang

A new book documenting their 1970s design gives a rare glimpse into North Korea's hospitality industry.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

South Korean Jehovah's Witnesses start prison work terms

Monday, October 26th 2020, 17:08

For the first time, conscientious objectors can work as prison administrators instead of being jailed.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Coronavirus: North Korea warnings over 'yellow dust coming from China'

Friday, October 23rd 2020, 5:13
related countries: China
related places: Pyongyang

There is no known link between the seasonal dust clouds and Covid-19 but Pyongyang is on high alert.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

US and North Korea: Trump and Biden clash over Kim Jong-un relationship

Friday, October 23rd 2020, 3:40
related countries: United States
related places: Trump

Biden accuses Trump of "legitimising" North Korea as Trump describes his relationship with Kim Jong-un.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gets emotional during speech

Tuesday, October 13th 2020, 4:24

Observers suggest he may be trying to appear sympathetic in a difficult year for North Koreans.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

BTS in trouble in China over Korean War comments

Tuesday, October 13th 2020, 2:41
related countries: China

Chinese social media users vent anger over a speech singer RM made while accepting an award.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Documentary claims to expose North Korea trying to dodge sanctions

Sunday, October 11th 2020, 8:02

A new film claims to shed light on astonishing efforts by North Korea to evade international sanctions.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Fire at South Korea 33-level tower block brought under control

Friday, October 9th 2020, 4:57

Hundreds were earlier forced to evacuate the building and dozens were sent to hospital for smoke inhalation.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

What we can expect to see at North Korea's 'biggest military parade'

Thursday, October 8th 2020, 23:01
related countries: United States

Will Pyongyang use it to show it still has weapons capable of striking the US, after talks failed?
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Missing North Korean ambassador 'living in South'

Wednesday, October 7th 2020, 13:47

There is concern for Jo Song-gil's teenage daughter, said to have returned to the North.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

BTS to become multi-millionaires after label goes public

Monday, September 28th 2020, 23:48

The South Korean K-pop group will become multi-millionaires after their label Big Hit goes public.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kim Jong-un apologises for killing of South Korean official - South

Friday, September 25th 2020, 13:38
related countries: South Korea
related places: Seoul

Seoul said the man was shot dead and set alight while allegedly trying to defect to the North.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korea 'killed and burned South Korean official'

Thursday, September 24th 2020, 9:21

The man, who disappeared from a patrol boat, was killed as an anti-coronavirus measure, Seoul says.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kim Jong-un warns over North Korea typhoon and coronavirus

Wednesday, August 26th 2020, 5:49

Despite rumours over his health, the North Korean leader appears well and in charge.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korea propaganda: New faces but old messages

Sunday, August 23rd 2020, 23:07
related places: Pyongyang

Pyongyang is believed to be behind several new YouTube and Twitter accounts aimed at foreign audiences.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kim Jong-un gives sister Yo-jong 'more responsibilities'

Thursday, August 20th 2020, 11:57
related countries: United States

Kim Yo-jong has reportedly been given responsibility for North Korean policy towards the US.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Coronavirus: South Korean Shincheonji sect leader arrested

Saturday, August 1st 2020, 10:46

Lee Man-hee, who leads the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, is accused of obstructing contact tracers.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Coronavirus: Swimming defector was not infected, says S Korea

Monday, July 27th 2020, 5:29

The suspected patient crawled through a drain then swam to North Korea, the South says.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

The children of Korean War prisoners who never came home

Sunday, July 26th 2020, 23:01
related countries: South Korea

South Korea largely forgot its prisoners of war. Now their children are fighting for recognition.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Moon bears: Korean campaigners call for farm closures

Tuesday, July 21st 2020, 23:17

Animal rights campaigners are calling for the closure of hundreds of moon bear farms.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Choi Suk-hyeon: South Korean triathlete kills herself 'after abuse'

Thursday, July 2nd 2020, 10:50

The young triathlete took her own life after lodging complaints over alleged abuse from coaching staff.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korea: Kim Jong-un 'suspends military action' against South

Wednesday, June 24th 2020, 2:45

The sudden de-escalation comes after Pyongyang had days ago threatened to send troops to the border.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korea: Balloons and speakers raise Korean border tensions

Tuesday, June 23rd 2020, 8:59
related countries: South Korea

Propaganda balloons have become a symbol of a worsening relationship between North and South Korea.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kim Yo-jong: Profile of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister

Tuesday, June 16th 2020, 13:14

What do we know about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's younger sister?
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kaesong liaison office: What does North Korea want?

Tuesday, June 16th 2020, 12:00
related places: Kaesong, Pyongyang

Expert Ankit Panda pieces together the puzzle of why Pyongyang destroyed the Kaesong liaison office
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korea threatens to send army into demilitarised border zone

Tuesday, June 16th 2020, 3:18

The sister of North Korea's leader has instructed the army - and the military says it's ready to move.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korea halts all communications with South in row over leafleting

Tuesday, June 9th 2020, 3:16
related countries: South Korea

North Korea announces it will cut all official communication channels with South Korea from Tuesday.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

South Korean balloons: Plans to stop people sending cross-border messages

Thursday, June 4th 2020, 9:06

The North Korean leadership has called the balloon-senders "human scum" and "mongrel dogs".
Read the full article » | View on the map »

The South Korean Samsung protester living in the sky

Sunday, May 24th 2020, 23:00

Kim Yong-hee has spent nearly a year on a 20m traffic tower to protest against Samsung's zero-union policy.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

LG Polymers: Was negligence behind India's deadly gas leak?

Sunday, May 24th 2020, 0:15
related countries: India

The Indian arm of a South Korean multinational was charged after a leak from its factory killed 12.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

K-League: FC Seoul fined 100 million won for sex dolls in stands

Wednesday, May 20th 2020, 14:33
related countries: South Korea

A South Korean club is fined 100 million won (£66,500) for filling empty seats with sex dolls at their recent home match.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Coronavirus: China offers to help North Korea fight pandemic

Saturday, May 9th 2020, 9:55

President Xi Jinping expresses concern about the threat to its neighbour, and offers to help.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kim Jong-un: No signs of heart surgery, says South Korea

Wednesday, May 6th 2020, 7:52

Rumours swirled about the North Korean leader's health after he was not seen in public for weeks.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North and South Korea in gunfire exchange after Kim Jong-un reappears

Sunday, May 3rd 2020, 14:41
related countries: South Korea

South Korea says bullets hit one of its border posts, a day after the North's elusive leader reappears.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kim Jong-un: Trump 'glad' about reappearance of North Korean leader

Saturday, May 2nd 2020, 23:58

The reported appearance came after weeks of speculation over the North Korean leader's health.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kim Jong-un: North Korean leader appears in public, says state media

Saturday, May 2nd 2020, 15:18

KCNA news agency reports that the North Korean leader cut the ribbon at the opening of a fertiliser factory
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kim Jong-un and the brutal North Korea rumour mill

Saturday, May 2nd 2020, 4:43

Kim Jong-un is not dead, but that won't stop the rumour mill in future. Here is how it works.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Kim Jong-un appears in public, North Korean state media report

Saturday, May 2nd 2020, 3:42

The reported appearance comes amid speculation over the North Korean leader's health.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Coronavirus: The foster dad home-schooling 10 North Korean boys

Saturday, May 2nd 2020, 0:14

As millions of parents grapple with the challenge of home-schooling, one has a very tough task.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

US 'hasn't seen' North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently, Mike Pompeo

Wednesday, April 29th 2020, 22:42
related countries: United States

The US secretary of state's comments come after speculation the North Korean leader might be ill.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Who could lead North Korea without Kim?

Tuesday, April 28th 2020, 8:28

The enigmatic sister and a spymaster are contenders, as rumours swirl over Kim Jong-un's health.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

North Korean defector becomes first to win South Korea parliamentary seat

Thursday, April 16th 2020, 3:28
related countries: South Korea

Thae Yong-ho, the highest ranking official to ever defect from North Korea, made history with his win.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Coronavirus: Inside a Covid-19 intensive care unit

Thursday, March 26th 2020, 8:38

In a South Korean ICU, nurses wearing heavy self-contained respiratory systems work two-hour shifts.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

What does kids TV look like in North Korea?

Friday, March 20th 2020, 1:18

Exploring the weird, wonderful and surprisingly violent world of North Korean children's television.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Troy Collings: North Korea's 'first budget travel agent' dies aged 33

Friday, March 6th 2020, 8:05

New Zealander Troy Collings wanted to make North Korea affordable - even for backpackers.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Coronavirus: Drone captures massive queue for masks in South Korea

Monday, February 24th 2020, 8:37
related countries: South Korea

Hundreds queued at a supermarket in Daegu, one of the South Korean epicentres of the virus outbreak.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Crash Landing on You: The defector who brought North-South Korean romance to life

Saturday, February 22nd 2020, 0:16

Hit drama Crash Landing on You was made possible by the key insights of one North Korean defector.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Coronavirus: South Korean sect identified as hotbed

Thursday, February 20th 2020, 15:57
related countries: South Korea

Infections are linked to one woman, as South Korea confirms its first death from the covid-19 virus.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Parasite: What the Oscar win means for Korean cinema

Tuesday, February 11th 2020, 0:48

The film, directed by Bong Joon-ho, is the first non-English language film to take the top prize.
Read the full article » | View on the map »

Cristiano Ronaldo: South Korean fans compensated after Juventus forward fails to play

Tuesday, February 4th 2020, 12:42

A South Korean court has ordered a local match organiser to pay compensation to two fans after Cristiano Ronaldo did not play in a Juventus friendly as advertised.
Read the full article » | View on the map »