North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the completion of a fertilizer plant, together with his younger sister Kim Yo Jong, in a region north of Pyongyang, in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 2. 
N Korea at crossroads

Kim Jong Un resumes public activity, state media says

North Korean leader attends completion of fertilizer plant

2 May 2020
A satellite image taken on April 23 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's train at a station in Wonsan. (Photo courtesy of Planet Labs/38North)
N Korea at crossroads

Kim Jong Un's train spotted again in Wonsan

Satellite images show possible presence of North Korean leader at resort retreat

30 April 2020
Kim Yo Jong, right, helps Kim Jong Un sign a joint statement in Pyongyang in September 2018: North Korean leader's younger sister could be handed over power in the event of an emergency.
Opinion

Change of leadership in North Korea threatens economic trouble for all

If Kim Jong Un dies, US and China competition for influence will heat up

30 April 2020
The testing of a rocket launcher in North Korea, undated photo released on Mar. 28 by Korean Central News Agency: the nuclear deterrent has been portrayed as a symbol of national achievement.
Opinion

If Kim Jong Un dies, expect nuclear weapons provocation to ramp up

US should end cycle of blackmail by ignoring successor's saber-rattling

29 April 2020
The growing prominence of Kim Yo Jong, left, has led her to be seen as a likely candidate to succeed her brother Kim Jong Un, right, as leader of North Korea.
N Korea at crossroads

US steps up intelligence-gathering on Kim Jong Un's sister

Favorite of her late father, Kim Yo Jong seen wielding power beyond her titles

28 April 2020
With North Korea saying nothing about outside media reports that its leader Kim Jong Un may be unwell, there’s renewed worry about who’s next in line to run a nuclear-armed country that’s been ruled by the same family for seven decades. 
N Korea at crossroads

Train spotted at Kim Jong Un's resort compound in Wonsan

Satellite images show the carriage parked since at least Tuesday

26 April 2020
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guides a drill of mortar sub-units of North Korean Army in this image released on April 10. (KCNA via Reuters)
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea media silent on Kim whereabouts as speculation rages

Lack of news is 'unusual' says former diplomat who defected

23 April 2020
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is assisted by his sister Kim Yo Jong as he signs documents inside the Demilitarized Zone in April 2018.
22 April 2020
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un takes part in a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 11. 
N Korea at crossroads

South Korea plays down reports of Kim Jong Un's ill health

Japan is gathering information after CNN reported leader in serious condition

21 April 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that he recently received a "nice note" from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
International relations

North Korean foreign ministry denies letter sent to Trump -- KCNA

US president said he received a 'nice note' from Kim Jong Un

19 April 2020
North Korea exported coal through ship-to-ship transfers, the U.N. report said. (From the U.N. panel report)
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea sent 1,000 IT specialists across the world: UN report

Other sanctions violations include fully loaded Lexus SUVs with aero parts

18 April 2020
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his sister Kim Yo Jong attend an inter-Korean meeting at the Panmunjom border village in 2018.
N Korea at crossroads

Kim Jong Un's sister regains key post in leadership shake-up

Diplomats handling Russia and South Korea replace those negotiating with US

14 April 2020
Kim Jong Un is trying to maintain discipline in North Korea's 1.2 million-man military by treating it to displays of advanced missile technology. (KCNA/REUTERS)
Comment

Why Kim Jong Un rapid-fires missiles as world fights coronavirus

North Korean leader seeks to protect regime by showing military achievements

12 April 2020
A view of the City Hostel Berlin, on the grounds of the North Korean embassy, in the city center.
Tea Leaves

Hospitality, North Korean style, highlights German dilemma

 Legal norms hamper efforts to close controversial facility

8 April 2020
Germany has conducted 2,023 tests per million people, 17 times more than Japan.
Coronavirus

Germany tests coronavirus 17-times more than Japan

At-hospital quarantine policy limits Tokyo's response to outbreak

2 April 2020
North Korean workers at a clothing factory in Pyongyang. Apparel exports have been hit hard by U.N. sanctions.
20 March 2020
Then-White House Chief of Staff John Kelly follows President Donald Trump into the Oval Office in December 2018.
N Korea at crossroads

Kim will never give up weapons: former Trump aide John Kelly

Ex-chief of staff says engagement with North Korea is not working

14 February 2020
Passengers wear masks to prevent an outbreak of a new coronavirus at Hong Kong West Kowloon railway station.
Coronavirus

China faces more travel curbs as coronavirus spreads

Australia latest to bar entry and travel while Vietnam suspends flights

2 February 2020
From left: U.S. President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Source photos by Reuters/AP)
Comment

US-Iran crisis spells opportunity for China and North Korea

Latest clash in Middle East again stalls America's military pivot to Asia

19 January 2020
Kim Jong Un attends a test of a large multiple rocket launcher in North Korea in a photo released in September by the official Korean Central News Agency.
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea media play up military angle in Kim coverage

Failed Hanoi summit triggers flurry of arms-themed reporting

1 January 2020
Stream article image
Asia Insight

Asia's flashpoints: What could go wrong in 2020

Missiles, military clashes, defaults and political crises in the cards

31 December 2019
(Nikkei montage/Getty Images/Reuters)
Your Week in Asia

From Taiwan's vote to the Tokyo Olympics: Asia's 2020 calendar

Here are the big political, business and other events we'll be watching

29 December 2019
NHK's main studios in Tokyo: The Japanese public broadcaster appears to have inadvertently published a missile news flash written "for training purposes." (Photo by Kaisuke Ota)
N Korea at crossroads

North Korean 'Christmas missile' launch misreported by NHK

Midnight news flash was an error, Japanese broadcaster says 20 minutes later

27 December 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after a video teleconference with members of the military at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
N Korea at crossroads

Trump ready to 'deal' with North Korea's Christmas surprise

More signs point to preparations for possible ICBM launch

25 December 2019
Can Abe and Moon pursue a dialogue to reach a new normal?
Opinion

2020 look ahead: Japan-South Korea hostilities risk security disaster

Fractious partners need to recognize North Korea is real and imminent threat

24 December 2019