TOPIC

/ location

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

Malaysian fugitive businessman Nicky Liow is brought to court in 2021. Photo: Weibo

SCMP Highlights

Malaysia’s Liow released; Lee Kuan Yew’s pen up for auction: 7 Asia highlights

From North Korea’s dog meat advice to Prabowo at odds with Indonesia’s rich, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

11 Aug 2026 - 12:37PM

South Korea

South Korea faces quandary over Ukraine’s air defence system request

11 Aug 2026 - 8:00AM

SCMP Highlights

China retaliates on US sanctions; North Korea’s dog meat advisory: 7 highlights

7 Aug 2026 - 12:15PM

South Korea

After Singapore gig, Massive Attack runs into trouble in South Korea too

The British band is facing backlash over a video caption that said the US supported the bloodbath.

7 Aug 2026 - 9:39AMvideocam

South Korea

North Korea fires ‘unidentified projectile’: South Korea

The launch came a day after Pyongyang accused Japan of turning ‘into a war state’ as Tokyo beefs up its military stance in the Pacific.

6 Aug 2026 - 6:49PMvideocam

Japan

Video | Kim Yo-jong warns of ‘additional military options’ after Japan missile test

Sister of North Korean leader blames US for what she calls Japan’s transformation into a military power.

5 Aug 2026 - 8:21PM

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo eyes North Korea trip. But no one’s invited him

While a visit could boost Indonesia’s diplomatic clout, it also threatens to raise another outcry about Prabowo’s frequent flights.

5 Aug 2026 - 4:35PM

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto speaks at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Japan

North Korea vows to teach ‘war criminal state’ Japan lesson over missile test

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister denounced Tokyo’s military expansion, saying ‘we should make it regret’.

5 Aug 2026 - 10:30AMvideocam

South Korea

North Korea advises citizens to eat dog meat to beat the summer heat

Dog meat soup has long been promoted by the North Korean government as a traditional health tonic.

4 Aug 2026 - 9:08PM

US-China relations

Pain or gain? US moves to decouple its defence industry from China’s rare earths

Directive seen as a long-overdue enforcement crackdown meant to inflict short-term contractor pain for long-term national security gain.

1 Aug 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

US defence procurement rules strictly prohibit sourcing certain “covered materials” from adversary states. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Opinion | Will US or China win the next war? That’s the wrong question to ask

We should be asking how we can avoid conflict and work towards ending mutual threats, such as climate change and human injustice.

1 Aug 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

A foot formation marches through Tian’anmen Square during a military parade in Beijing, China, on September 3, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, July 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met more than 20 world leaders this year, reflecting Beijing’s increasing global influence.

31 Jul 2026 - 3:47PM

South Korea

South Korea almost shoots down US Marine drone after communication failure

Incidents like this could ‘deepen mistrust’ between the allies, experts say, urging a comprehensive review to avoid it recurring.

31 Jul 2026 - 7:38PM

International Property

Foreign US home buying down 14% as Chinese lead high-end market

The drop in foreign homebuyer activity mirrors the decline in international visitors and tourists to the US, says realty group.

31 Jul 2026 - 4:38PM

An aerial view along Pompano Beach in Florida, the top US state for foreign homebuyers. Photo: TNS

Japan

US-led drills edge Japan and South Korea closer on defence

Command roles at Rimpac show Tokyo and Seoul can work together militarily, but history caps how far ties can go.

4 Aug 2026 - 6:40PM

A team is seen at mission control console inside a South Korean maritime patrol aircraft during a joint exercise as part of the 2026 Rimpac exercise near Honolulu. Photo: The Korea Times

Ukraine war

Zelensky says Russia fired North Korean ballistic missile in latest attack

This would be the first time such a weapon was fired in nearly a year, suggesting that Moscow has acquired more stock.

31 Jul 2026 - 4:20PMvideocam

Defence

How Trump’s call for Asia-Pacific allies to raise defence spending may backfire

The president hopes his demands will benefit the US defence industry but analysts believe local arms makers may be the main beneficiaries.

30 Jul 2026 - 6:09AMvideocam

Asean

What North Korea’s ‘rare rebuke’ means for its Asean ties

Kim Yo-jong says Asean’s call for denuclearisation has ‘distorted the essence of the situation in the Korean peninsula’.

27 Jul 2026 - 9:17PMvideocam

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un, attends a reception in the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, on September 3, 2025. Photo: AFP

Russia

Why a 30,000-troop deployment suits both Russia and North Korea

Moscow gets more soldiers without risking another mass mobilisation, Pyongyang receives money and military tech.

27 Jul 2026 - 6:33PMvideocam

Korean peninsula

Opinion | America’s North Korea strategy needs a dose of reality

Washington’s dogged insistence on denuclearisation first has led to a prolonged deadlock that has only widened Pyongyang’s options.

26 Jul 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Russia asks North Korea to send 30,000 extra troops for Ukraine war: Zelensky

In return, North Korea has received cash, military technology, food and energy commodities to help it overcome international sanctions.

27 Jul 2026 - 10:32AM

A firefighter works at a site of a Russian strike on Sunday. Photo: Ukraine State Emergency Service/Reuters

Japan

Japan’s overworked defence ministry plans first new bureau since 2007

The ‘long overdue’ move is expected to boost the defence ministry’s capacity to work more closely with allies and ease operational strain.

24 Jul 2026 - 4:00PM

Members of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces and US Marines during a joint live-fire drill as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita prefecture, Japan, on June 28. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong may consider issuing T3 signal on Saturday as Noul edges closer

Forecaster issues T1 signal at 8.40pm on Friday, says winds and showers are set to strengthen the following day.

24 Jul 2026 - 11:43PM

Japan

Why Japan’s fighter jet future looks ‘more optimistic’ with Canada’s entry

Analysts say the move will be ‘a starting point’ for greater cooperation among like-minded partners amid concerns about US commitment.

24 Jul 2026 - 4:40PM

South Korea

Seoul drops ‘denuclearisation-first’ stance on Pyongyang

The long-term goal of denuclearisation remains unchanged but stymieing new developments will be South Korea’s focus.

23 Jul 2026 - 6:19PMvideocam

People in Seoul watch a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, in April. 2026. Photo: AFP

Russia

North Korea paves way for possible Kim trip to Moscow

Pyongyang’s top diplomat met Putin to discuss the Ukraine war, munition shipments and a likely Kim visit, analysts say.

20 Jul 2026 - 3:53PMvideocam

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui shake hands during their meeting in Moscow on Sunday. Photo: Kremlin/Sputnik/EPA

China-North Korea relations

China’s No 4 official Wang Huning to head to North Korea as visits multiply

The move shows that the nations are rapidly deepening ties after reassessing each other’s strategic value, analysts said.

14 Jul 2026 - 3:52PMvideocam

ICBMs

Opinion | China’s missile test is a signal. How non-nuclear states respond matters

The reactions to Beijing’s ‘routine’ exercise put into focus a nuclear order that is rapidly fluctuating from Tehran to Tokyo.

14 Jul 2026 - 11:22AMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

North Korea

Malaysia’s Liow released; Lee Kuan Yew’s pen up for auction: 7 Asia highlights

From North Korea’s dog meat advice to Prabowo at odds with Indonesia’s rich, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

South Korea faces quandary over Ukraine’s air defence system request

China retaliates on US sanctions; North Korea’s dog meat advisory: 7 highlights

After Singapore gig, Massive Attack runs into trouble in South Korea too

The British band is facing backlash over a video caption that said the US supported the bloodbath.

North Korea fires ‘unidentified projectile’: South Korea

The launch came a day after Pyongyang accused Japan of turning ‘into a war state’ as Tokyo beefs up its military stance in the Pacific.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Kim Yo-jong warns of ‘additional military options’ after Japan missile test

Sister of North Korean leader blames US for what she calls Japan’s transformation into a military power.

Indonesia’s Prabowo eyes North Korea trip. But no one’s invited him

While a visit could boost Indonesia’s diplomatic clout, it also threatens to raise another outcry about Prabowo’s frequent flights.

North Korea vows to teach ‘war criminal state’ Japan lesson over missile test

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister denounced Tokyo’s military expansion, saying ‘we should make it regret’.

North Korea advises citizens to eat dog meat to beat the summer heat

Dog meat soup has long been promoted by the North Korean government as a traditional health tonic.

Pain or gain? US moves to decouple its defence industry from China’s rare earths

Directive seen as a long-overdue enforcement crackdown meant to inflict short-term contractor pain for long-term national security gain.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Will US or China win the next war? That’s the wrong question to ask

We should be asking how we can avoid conflict and work towards ending mutual threats, such as climate change and human injustice.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, July 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met more than 20 world leaders this year, reflecting Beijing’s increasing global influence.

South Korea almost shoots down US Marine drone after communication failure

Incidents like this could ‘deepen mistrust’ between the allies, experts say, urging a comprehensive review to avoid it recurring.

Foreign US home buying down 14% as Chinese lead high-end market

The drop in foreign homebuyer activity mirrors the decline in international visitors and tourists to the US, says realty group.

US-led drills edge Japan and South Korea closer on defence

Command roles at Rimpac show Tokyo and Seoul can work together militarily, but history caps how far ties can go.

Zelensky says Russia fired North Korean ballistic missile in latest attack

This would be the first time such a weapon was fired in nearly a year, suggesting that Moscow has acquired more stock.

How Trump’s call for Asia-Pacific allies to raise defence spending may backfire

The president hopes his demands will benefit the US defence industry but analysts believe local arms makers may be the main beneficiaries.

What North Korea’s ‘rare rebuke’ means for its Asean ties

Kim Yo-jong says Asean’s call for denuclearisation has ‘distorted the essence of the situation in the Korean peninsula’.

Why a 30,000-troop deployment suits both Russia and North Korea

Moscow gets more soldiers without risking another mass mobilisation, Pyongyang receives money and military tech.

Opinion | America’s North Korea strategy needs a dose of reality

Washington’s dogged insistence on denuclearisation first has led to a prolonged deadlock that has only widened Pyongyang’s options.

Russia asks North Korea to send 30,000 extra troops for Ukraine war: Zelensky

In return, North Korea has received cash, military technology, food and energy commodities to help it overcome international sanctions.

Japan’s overworked defence ministry plans first new bureau since 2007

The ‘long overdue’ move is expected to boost the defence ministry’s capacity to work more closely with allies and ease operational strain.

Hong Kong may consider issuing T3 signal on Saturday as Noul edges closer

Forecaster issues T1 signal at 8.40pm on Friday, says winds and showers are set to strengthen the following day.

Why Japan’s fighter jet future looks ‘more optimistic’ with Canada’s entry

Analysts say the move will be ‘a starting point’ for greater cooperation among like-minded partners amid concerns about US commitment.

Seoul drops ‘denuclearisation-first’ stance on Pyongyang

The long-term goal of denuclearisation remains unchanged but stymieing new developments will be South Korea’s focus.

North Korea paves way for possible Kim trip to Moscow

Pyongyang’s top diplomat met Putin to discuss the Ukraine war, munition shipments and a likely Kim visit, analysts say.

China’s No 4 official Wang Huning to head to North Korea as visits multiply

The move shows that the nations are rapidly deepening ties after reassessing each other’s strategic value, analysts said.

Opinion | China’s missile test is a signal. How non-nuclear states respond matters

The reactions to Beijing’s ‘routine’ exercise put into focus a nuclear order that is rapidly fluctuating from Tehran to Tokyo.

Video | Kim Yo-jong warns of ‘additional military options’ after Japan missile test

Opinion | Will US or China win the next war? That’s the wrong question to ask