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North Korea

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a country in East Asia, located in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering South Korea and China. Its capital, Pyongyang, is the country's largest city by both land area and population. It is a single-party state led by the Korean Workers' Party (KWP), and governed by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un since 2012. It has a population of 24,052,231 (UN-assisted DPRK census 2008) made up of Koreans and a smaller Chinese minority. Japan 'opened' Korea in 1876 and annexed it in 1910. The Republic of Korea (ROK) was founded with US support in the south in August 1948 and the Soviet-backed Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the north in September that year.

Capital

Pyongyang

Head of State

Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un

Head of Government

Premier Kim Tok-hun

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) watches missile tests in an undisclosed location in North Korea on Sunday. Photo: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Did North Korea’s missile launches target the Xi-Trump summit agenda?

Pyongyang typically holds such tests ahead of major global diplomatic and military events to maximise attention and leverage.

23 Sep 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?

23 Sep 2026 - 9:07AMvideocam

North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | Why Trump-Xi summit must put Korean peninsula back on the agenda

22 Sep 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US, Japan and South Korea launch economic-security talks before Xi summit

Three allies target economic coercion and industrial overcapacity while reinforcing calls for stability across the Taiwan Strait.

22 Sep 2026 - 5:07AMvideocam

From left, Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi and Trump will meet this week. Here’s the exclusive info you need to know

From potential talking points to the Chinese entourage, here’s what you need to know before Xi and Trump meet in Washington.

21 Sep 2026 - 2:22PM

South Korea

Suspected DMZ landmine blast injures 3 South Korean soldiers

Three people were hospitalised. Hundreds of thousands of mines, if not more, are thought to be buried in the area.

21 Sep 2026 - 5:48PMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

Opinion | New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China

The Yalu bridge remains unused years after completion – a reminder that despite economic reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang still decides where to invest its political attention.

20 Sep 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

South Korea

North Korea fires 2 missiles in 3 hours amid tensions over US drills

North Korea’s ‌Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong-un, blamed US-led military drills for worsening tensions on the Korean peninsula.

21 Sep 2026 - 1:07AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Chinese confidence could be boosted by US push to make progress on its war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, experts say.

22 Sep 2026 - 9:15AMvideocam

Science

North Korea’s tests awaken fault lines pointing to huge volcano at China border

Researchers find evidence of persistent earthquake activity that has also steadily intensified along two distinct paths.

18 Sep 2026 - 4:51PM

Changbai Mountain is a dormant volcano that had its last major eruption in AD946, one of the largest recorded in the past 2,000 years. Photo: Getty Images

North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | A new Trump-Kim summit would be a nightmare for everyone but Pyongyang

A bilateral deal that is acceptable to both Washington and Pyongyang would come at a steep cost to US allies and the region as a whole.

17 Sep 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un walks to greet US President Donald Trump at the Military Demarcation Line that divides North and South Korea in the Joint Security Area of Panmunjom in the demilitarised zone on June 30, 2019. Photo: AFP

Russia

Russia employs North Koreans to build drones for Ukraine war: report

The move shows how military ties have expanded beyond weapons and troops into labour and industrial production, the report says.

17 Sep 2026 - 2:37PM

South Korea

North Korea at Japan’s Asian Games: sports diplomacy or propaganda stunt?

Pyongyang is sending its largest-ever delegation to Japan, signalling a calculated bid to test Tokyo and pave the way for US re-engagement.

17 Sep 2026 - 6:34PM

Kim Jong-un

Only ‘idiots’ expect North Korea to give up nuclear weapons: Kim Yo-jong

The powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un says ‘familiar silly talk’ about denuclearisation will not change the country’s status.

17 Sep 2026 - 8:33AM

Kim Yo Jong attends a reception in the Great Hall of People following a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan in Beijing on September 3, 2025. Photo: TNS

South Korea

South Korean court orders Pyongyang to pay US$32.5m for destroying border office

The lawsuit over the destruction of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office marks the first time Seoul has sought damages directly from the North.

16 Sep 2026 - 10:23AM

A joint liaison office with South Korea in border town Kaesong, North Korea, is blown up in June 16, 2020. Photo: KCNA / Reuters

China-India relations

Will ‘transactional’ America assist India in a future border crisis with China?

India’s relations with US have frayed over trade and tariffs recently, but strong defence ties still remain between the two countries.

16 Sep 2026 - 5:34AMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

‘Huge destructive power’: North Korea tests weapons capable of striking South

The live-fire drill tested attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles and large-calibre multiple rocket launchers.

14 Sep 2026 - 10:59AMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

Foie gras, puppies and water parks: North Korea gets a glow-up

Kim Jong-un wants his middle class to splurge and is funding a splashy leisure boom to soak up their excess cash.

12 Sep 2026 - 1:25PM

Visitors cavort at the Wonsan Kalma tourist area in Kangwon province, North Korea, last year. Photo: Kyodo

South Korea

North Korea launches missile salvo after US-South Korea-Japan drills

The ballistic missiles, which flew about 250km, were fired despite Donald Trump’s recent push for talks with Kim Jong-un.

12 Sep 2026 - 9:01AMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

Does North Korea’s Kim Ju-ae have a younger sibling? Seoul thinks so

Seoul’s spy agency says it believes the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has a ‘younger sibling of unknown gender’.

10 Sep 2026 - 7:18PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China ready to help Trump meet North Korea’s Kim

Donald Trump’s efforts to meet Kim Jong-un have received a boost from China even amid doubts about what such an encounter could achieve.

10 Sep 2026 - 5:10PM

US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un in June 2019. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Once sidelined, China stands ready to broker fourth Trump-Kim handshake

Beijing seeks role as central player in Korean peninsula diplomacy but wants a guarantee Washington has clear goals, source says.

10 Sep 2026 - 3:53PMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

Video | North Korea launches second nuclear destroyer in 75 days

The North’s launch took place just ahead of trilateral military exercise involving the US, South Korea and Japan.

8 Sep 2026 - 11:35AM

South Korea

Can Japan, South Korea move past the ‘comfort women’ issue?

The issue is set to continue rattling ties between Tokyo and Seoul even as they seek to find common ground on security and trade issues.

8 Sep 2026 - 9:39AM

Russia

North Korea, Russia open first road bridge in ‘new symbol of friendship’

The bridge can allow up to 300 vehicles to cross every day and will be linked ‌to Russia’s federal road network, says PM Mikhail Mishustin.

8 Sep 2026 - 4:24AM

The first road bridge between Russia and North Korea across the Tumen river on the border with North Korea in the Primorsky region, Russia, on Monday. Photo: Russian Government/Handout via Reuters

Kim Jong-un

What North Korea’s new warship reveals about Kim’s aim to secure nearby waters

Kim’s promised ‘important plans’ that will deepen the ‘concerns of the enemies’ are likely to be nuclear, observers say.

7 Sep 2026 - 4:11PMvideocam

North Korean sailors march past the Kang Kon during its commissioning ceremony at Wonsan Port on Sunday. Photo: KCNA / AFP

Kim Jong-un

North Korea’s Kim launches second nuclear destroyer as allied drills start

‘Concerns of the enemies will be surely deepened’, Kim says at the commissioning of the Kang Kon, just 75 days after the Choe Hyon.

8 Sep 2026 - 11:46AMvideocam

China-South Korea relations

China and South Korea accuse each other of undermining key national principles

Seoul protests about an official reference to ‘two states’ in Korea, while Beijing complains about an art exhibition’s ‘Taiwan Pavilion’.

4 Sep 2026 - 7:31PMvideocam

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North Korea

Did North Korea’s missile launches target the Xi-Trump summit agenda?

Pyongyang typically holds such tests ahead of major global diplomatic and military events to maximise attention and leverage.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why Trump-Xi summit must put Korean peninsula back on the agenda

US, Japan and South Korea launch economic-security talks before Xi summit

Three allies target economic coercion and industrial overcapacity while reinforcing calls for stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Xi and Trump will meet this week. Here’s the exclusive info you need to know

From potential talking points to the Chinese entourage, here’s what you need to know before Xi and Trump meet in Washington.

Suspected DMZ landmine blast injures 3 South Korean soldiers

Three people were hospitalised. Hundreds of thousands of mines, if not more, are thought to be buried in the area.

Opinion | New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China

The Yalu bridge remains unused years after completion – a reminder that despite economic reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang still decides where to invest its political attention.

North Korea fires 2 missiles in 3 hours amid tensions over US drills

North Korea’s ‌Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong-un, blamed US-led military drills for worsening tensions on the Korean peninsula.

In Focus | Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Chinese confidence could be boosted by US push to make progress on its war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, experts say.

North Korea’s tests awaken fault lines pointing to huge volcano at China border

Researchers find evidence of persistent earthquake activity that has also steadily intensified along two distinct paths.

Opinion | A new Trump-Kim summit would be a nightmare for everyone but Pyongyang

A bilateral deal that is acceptable to both Washington and Pyongyang would come at a steep cost to US allies and the region as a whole.

Russia employs North Koreans to build drones for Ukraine war: report

The move shows how military ties have expanded beyond weapons and troops into labour and industrial production, the report says.

North Korea at Japan’s Asian Games: sports diplomacy or propaganda stunt?

Pyongyang is sending its largest-ever delegation to Japan, signalling a calculated bid to test Tokyo and pave the way for US re-engagement.

Only ‘idiots’ expect North Korea to give up nuclear weapons: Kim Yo-jong

The powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un says ‘familiar silly talk’ about denuclearisation will not change the country’s status.

South Korean court orders Pyongyang to pay US$32.5m for destroying border office

The lawsuit over the destruction of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office marks the first time Seoul has sought damages directly from the North.

Will ‘transactional’ America assist India in a future border crisis with China?

India’s relations with US have frayed over trade and tariffs recently, but strong defence ties still remain between the two countries.

‘Huge destructive power’: North Korea tests weapons capable of striking South

The live-fire drill tested attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles and large-calibre multiple rocket launchers.

Foie gras, puppies and water parks: North Korea gets a glow-up

Kim Jong-un wants his middle class to splurge and is funding a splashy leisure boom to soak up their excess cash.

North Korea launches missile salvo after US-South Korea-Japan drills

The ballistic missiles, which flew about 250km, were fired despite Donald Trump’s recent push for talks with Kim Jong-un.

Does North Korea’s Kim Ju-ae have a younger sibling? Seoul thinks so

Seoul’s spy agency says it believes the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has a ‘younger sibling of unknown gender’.

China ready to help Trump meet North Korea’s Kim

Donald Trump’s efforts to meet Kim Jong-un have received a boost from China even amid doubts about what such an encounter could achieve.

Exclusive | Once sidelined, China stands ready to broker fourth Trump-Kim handshake

Beijing seeks role as central player in Korean peninsula diplomacy but wants a guarantee Washington has clear goals, source says.

Video | North Korea launches second nuclear destroyer in 75 days

The North’s launch took place just ahead of trilateral military exercise involving the US, South Korea and Japan.

Can Japan, South Korea move past the ‘comfort women’ issue?

The issue is set to continue rattling ties between Tokyo and Seoul even as they seek to find common ground on security and trade issues.

North Korea, Russia open first road bridge in ‘new symbol of friendship’

The bridge can allow up to 300 vehicles to cross every day and will be linked ‌to Russia’s federal road network, says PM Mikhail Mishustin.

What North Korea’s new warship reveals about Kim’s aim to secure nearby waters

Kim’s promised ‘important plans’ that will deepen the ‘concerns of the enemies’ are likely to be nuclear, observers say.

North Korea’s Kim launches second nuclear destroyer as allied drills start

‘Concerns of the enemies will be surely deepened’, Kim says at the commissioning of the Kang Kon, just 75 days after the Choe Hyon.

China and South Korea accuse each other of undermining key national principles

Seoul protests about an official reference to ‘two states’ in Korea, while Beijing complains about an art exhibition’s ‘Taiwan Pavilion’.

In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?

Opinion | Why Trump-Xi summit must put Korean peninsula back on the agenda