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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

A street is decorated with the flags of China and North Korea in Pyongyang on Monday during President Xi Jinping’s state visit. Photo: AP

China trade

Tungsten and eyelashes: N Korea-China trade hits 9-year high as Xi hails ties

On his state visit to Pyongyang, President Xi eyes infrastructure, agriculture and tech gains as cross-border rail restarts, while high volumes of hair and tungsten fuel China’s imports.

2 hours agovideocam

China-North Korea relations

Developing | Xi Jinping says China’s support for North Korea and Kim Jong-un is ‘unwavering’

13 minutes agovideocam

China-North Korea relations

Xi Jinping arrives in a North Korea armed with advanced warships and AI drones

4 hours agovideocam

China-North Korea relations

Pyongyang rolls out the red carpet as Xi is welcomed with pomp and ceremony

Crowds waving flags and carrying bouquets of flowers line the streets of the North Korean capital to welcome the Chinese leader.

30 minutes agovideocam

Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un were accompanied by their wives, Peng Liyuan and Ri Sol-ju, at the events welcoming the Chinese leader. Photo: Xinhua

China-North Korea relations

Xi lands in North Korea with denuclearisation likely off the table

Chinese President Xi Jinping is making a rare trip to North Korea having stepped back from efforts to deter his host from building nuclear weapons.

5 hours ago

Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong serves up local flavour as ‘Typhoon Dim-sum’ joins new storm names list

City’s weather forecaster says latest submission has been endorsed by UN-backed Typhoon Committee for use in the Western North Pacific region.

33 minutes ago

Japan

Japan prepares to drop its pacifist mask as the right rises

A right-wing parliamentary supermajority is paving the way for Tokyo to amend its post-war pacifist constitution.

8 Jun 2026 - 8:00AM

Japan Ground Self-Defence Force soldiers walk in front of a Type 88 surface-to-ship missile launcher during military drills in the Philippines on May 6. Photo: Reuters

China's military weapons

China’s nuclear stockpile growing as disarmament era ends: SIPRI

Swedish think-tank says Beijing now has 620 nuclear warheads and may be increasing deployment as New Start’s expiry ends arms control era.

8 Jun 2026 - 6:01AM

China-North Korea relations

North Korea says nuclear programme is ‘irreversible’ ahead of Xi’s visit

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the country’s leader, rejects ‘anachronistic’ US push for denuclearisation a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival.

7 Jun 2026 - 8:30PM

China-North Korea relations

Will Xi’s North Korea visit show that China remains Pyongyang’s most vital ally?

Beijing has been concerned by its neighbour’s closer ties with Russia and is expected to highlight the importance of its economic support.

7 Jun 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

Why North Korea’s Kim is doubling down on nuclear might as Xi visit looms

Kim Jong-un has vowed to ‘exponentially’ strengthen North Korea’s nuclear arsenal during a recent visit to a production facility.

6 Jun 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre, right) inspects a nuclear materials production factory at an undisclosed location on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/KCNA

China-North Korea relations

Xi heads to North Korea, tech transfer clampdown, inflation pickup

This week: China says President Xi Jinping to visit North Korea, new rules to curb tech transfers overseas, US threatens tariffs on 60 trading partners amid forced labour claims. Next week: China factory inflation may near three-year high, Kuomintang leader Cheng Li-wun visits Washington, SpaceX holds IPO and more.

5 Jun 2026 - 5:28PM

SCMP Highlights

Trump urged Xi to resolve Ukraine war; China’s tech sanctions list: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s baby Danny DNA case to North Korea’s Kim meeting winning football team, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

5 Jun 2026 - 12:34PM

China-North Korea relations

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week

Relations rebuilding after years of relative isolation due to pandemic, Beijing’s denuclearisation stance and closer Pyongyang-Moscow ties.

5 Jun 2026 - 6:21PMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang in 2019. Photo: AFP

United States

Trump foe Bolton to plead guilty in classified information case

Ex-national security adviser cuts deal to drop 18 felony counts down to one, facing a US$2.25 million fine but avoiding prison time.

5 Jun 2026 - 4:29PM

Former White House national security adviser John Bolton. Photo: Reuters

South Korea

South Korea’s ruling party set for local election gains

The vote is widely seen as an assessment of President Lee Jae-myung’s first year in office.

3 Jun 2026 - 6:38PM

Kim Jong-un

Video | Kim meets North Korean footballers after historic win

Naegohyang Women’s FC became the first North Korean side to win Asia’s top club title last month.

3 Jun 2026 - 5:22PM

Diplomacy

Opinion | What Seoul must do to achieve peaceful coexistence with North Korea

South Korea needs to restore communication channels, end the policy see-saw and ensure official rhetoric is consistent with policy objectives.

3 Jun 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung salutes the national flag at the first plenary meeting of the National Economic Advisory Council, at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, on April 9. Photo: EPA/Yonhap

Kim Jong-un

Tears in North Korea as Kim meets footballers after historic title win

Naegohyang Women’s FC became the first North Korean side to win Asia’s top club title last month.

4 Jun 2026 - 2:47PMvideocam

United States

Trump ally with no known experience made new US acting intelligence chief

Bill Pulte, the chief of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, replaces Tulsi Gabbard to oversee 18 intelligence agencies.

3 Jun 2026 - 1:51PM

China-South Korea relations

South Korea and Japan eye military logistics pact. Should China be wary?

Northeast Asian neighbours signal closer security ties, but wartime history and Seoul-Beijing relations could stand in the way, analysts say.

2 Jun 2026 - 8:54PM

South Korea

US general’s ‘dagger’ remark tests South Korea’s China balancing act

A top commander’s blunt remark spotlights a fundamental disagreement over the true purpose of the 28,500 US troops based in South Korea.

2 Jun 2026 - 3:11PM

South Korea

From submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks

The two allies are also expected to discuss the transfer of military control and a data breach involving a US firm at their talks next week.

31 May 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Japan

Japan PM vows ‘breakthrough’ with North Korea in abduction issue

Japan officially lists 17 Japanese nationals as having been abducted by North Korea, with five returned in 2002.

30 May 2026 - 7:15PM

China-South Korea relations

How will South Korea’s nuclear submarines alter balance near first island chain?

Analyst cites further Indo-Pacific nations eyeing SSNs, with potential to ‘tie together with the broader US alliance system in the region’.

29 May 2026 - 5:28PMvideocam

South Korea says it will build its own nuclear-powered submarines, with the first vessels to be launched by the mid-2030s. Photo: Getty Images

US-China relations

China slams US commander’s ‘dagger’ label for South Korea

Chinese embassy in Seoul says US Forces Korea commander Xavier Brunson’s ‘hostile and aggressive remarks’ on podcast ‘crossed the line’.

28 May 2026 - 8:44PMvideocam

South Korea

South Korea eyes first nuclear submarine by mid-2030s, but hurdles run deep

Delayed US talks, non-proliferation concerns and budget pressures stand in the way of Seoul’s bid to boost its defence, analysts say.

27 May 2026 - 4:07PM

China-North Korea relations

A quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border

The resumption of train routes and a spike in overland trade underscore a reset in ties ahead of a reported leaders’ summit.

27 May 2026 - 10:15AMvideocam

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North Korea

Tungsten and eyelashes: N Korea-China trade hits 9-year high as Xi hails ties

On his state visit to Pyongyang, President Xi eyes infrastructure, agriculture and tech gains as cross-border rail restarts, while high volumes of hair and tungsten fuel China’s imports.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Developing | Xi Jinping says China’s support for North Korea and Kim Jong-un is ‘unwavering’

Xi Jinping arrives in a North Korea armed with advanced warships and AI drones

Pyongyang rolls out the red carpet as Xi is welcomed with pomp and ceremony

Crowds waving flags and carrying bouquets of flowers line the streets of the North Korean capital to welcome the Chinese leader.

Xi lands in North Korea with denuclearisation likely off the table

Chinese President Xi Jinping is making a rare trip to North Korea having stepped back from efforts to deter his host from building nuclear weapons.

Hong Kong serves up local flavour as ‘Typhoon Dim-sum’ joins new storm names list

City’s weather forecaster says latest submission has been endorsed by UN-backed Typhoon Committee for use in the Western North Pacific region.

Japan prepares to drop its pacifist mask as the right rises

A right-wing parliamentary supermajority is paving the way for Tokyo to amend its post-war pacifist constitution.

China’s nuclear stockpile growing as disarmament era ends: SIPRI

Swedish think-tank says Beijing now has 620 nuclear warheads and may be increasing deployment as New Start’s expiry ends arms control era.

North Korea says nuclear programme is ‘irreversible’ ahead of Xi’s visit

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the country’s leader, rejects ‘anachronistic’ US push for denuclearisation a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival.

Will Xi’s North Korea visit show that China remains Pyongyang’s most vital ally?

Beijing has been concerned by its neighbour’s closer ties with Russia and is expected to highlight the importance of its economic support.

Why North Korea’s Kim is doubling down on nuclear might as Xi visit looms

Kim Jong-un has vowed to ‘exponentially’ strengthen North Korea’s nuclear arsenal during a recent visit to a production facility.

Xi heads to North Korea, tech transfer clampdown, inflation pickup

Trump urged Xi to resolve Ukraine war; China’s tech sanctions list: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s baby Danny DNA case to North Korea’s Kim meeting winning football team, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week

Relations rebuilding after years of relative isolation due to pandemic, Beijing’s denuclearisation stance and closer Pyongyang-Moscow ties.

Trump foe Bolton to plead guilty in classified information case

Ex-national security adviser cuts deal to drop 18 felony counts down to one, facing a US$2.25 million fine but avoiding prison time.

South Korea’s ruling party set for local election gains

The vote is widely seen as an assessment of President Lee Jae-myung’s first year in office.

Video | Kim meets North Korean footballers after historic win

Naegohyang Women’s FC became the first North Korean side to win Asia’s top club title last month.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | What Seoul must do to achieve peaceful coexistence with North Korea

South Korea needs to restore communication channels, end the policy see-saw and ensure official rhetoric is consistent with policy objectives.

Tears in North Korea as Kim meets footballers after historic title win

Naegohyang Women’s FC became the first North Korean side to win Asia’s top club title last month.

Trump ally with no known experience made new US acting intelligence chief

Bill Pulte, the chief of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, replaces Tulsi Gabbard to oversee 18 intelligence agencies.

South Korea and Japan eye military logistics pact. Should China be wary?

Northeast Asian neighbours signal closer security ties, but wartime history and Seoul-Beijing relations could stand in the way, analysts say.

US general’s ‘dagger’ remark tests South Korea’s China balancing act

A top commander’s blunt remark spotlights a fundamental disagreement over the true purpose of the 28,500 US troops based in South Korea.

From submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks

The two allies are also expected to discuss the transfer of military control and a data breach involving a US firm at their talks next week.

Japan PM vows ‘breakthrough’ with North Korea in abduction issue

Japan officially lists 17 Japanese nationals as having been abducted by North Korea, with five returned in 2002.

How will South Korea’s nuclear submarines alter balance near first island chain?

Analyst cites further Indo-Pacific nations eyeing SSNs, with potential to ‘tie together with the broader US alliance system in the region’.

China slams US commander’s ‘dagger’ label for South Korea

Chinese embassy in Seoul says US Forces Korea commander Xavier Brunson’s ‘hostile and aggressive remarks’ on podcast ‘crossed the line’.

South Korea eyes first nuclear submarine by mid-2030s, but hurdles run deep

Delayed US talks, non-proliferation concerns and budget pressures stand in the way of Seoul’s bid to boost its defence, analysts say.

A quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border

The resumption of train routes and a spike in overland trade underscore a reset in ties ahead of a reported leaders’ summit.

Developing | Xi Jinping says China’s support for North Korea and Kim Jong-un is ‘unwavering’

Opinion | What Seoul must do to achieve peaceful coexistence with North Korea