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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 man mourns at the site of a destroyed house following an air attack in Radushne, Kryvyi Rig region, in Ukraine on Thursday. Photo: Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration via AFP

Ukraine war

Russia used North Korean missile in deadly strike on Ukraine village: Zelensky

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

1 hour agovideocam

Defence

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

30 Jul 2026 - 6:09AMvideocam

Asean

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

27 Jul 2026 - 9:17PMvideocam

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

North Korean soldiers march in a military parade at Pyongyang’s Kim Il-Sung Square in February. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP

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

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

Kim Jong-un

A purge among North Korean generals – and why Kim wants everyone to see

As the army’s economic roles grow, Kim Jong-un seeks to remind the generals who really holds power in Pyongyang.

13 Jul 2026 - 3:58PM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at a committee meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang last month. Photo: KCNA/Reuters

South Korea

South Korean sailor missing on patrol found dead near North Korea sea border

Seoul had asked North Korea for help after fears the sailor might have drifted across the Northern Limit Line but received no response.

13 Jul 2026 - 10:46AM

South Korean and Japanese navy ships sail in waters off South Korea’s east coast during a joint exercise in April 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

China-North Korea relations

Xi Jinping urges stronger China-North Korea ‘combat friendship forged in blood’

Chinese leader also calls to boost strategic coordination as North Korean premier visits Beijing to mark 65th anniversary of defence pact.

10 Jul 2026 - 9:38PMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

North Korea’s premier heads to China for defence treaty anniversary as allies extend thaw

Pak Thae-song’s trip comes less than a month after President Xi Jinping made his first visit to Pyongyang in seven years.

9 Jul 2026 - 5:22PMvideocam

Nato

Nato, Indo-Pacific 4 vow defence, tech boost as China-Russia ties spark alarm

Nato chief Mark Rutte meets top officials from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea on sidelines of Ankara summit.

8 Jul 2026 - 6:10PM

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte (third left) with representatives from the Indo-Pacific Four, (from left) New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and Australia’s defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, in Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo

US-China relations

Nato launches defence projects to counter Russia and China

New measures focus on critical minerals, drone capabilities and missile shields as members boost the alliance’s industrial base.

8 Jul 2026 - 2:07AMvideocam

Defence

‘Let me join’: North Korea flexes naval muscle ahead of China-Russia drills

Pyongyang’s new cruise-missile destroyers are built to project power far beyond home waters, analysts say.

7 Jul 2026 - 6:34PMvideocam

US-China relations

Nato can’t be ‘naive’ about China as it ramps up military might, Rutte claims

Nato’s secretary general contacts Japan’s defence minister after Chinese nuclear submarine fires test missile into Pacific.

7 Jul 2026 - 9:44AMvideocam

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte attends a pre-summit press conference on Monday ahead of this week’s Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey. Photo: dpa

US-China relations

Why the Indo-Pacific might be on the back burner at the Nato summit

Immediate pressures over Ukraine, Iran and spending mean alliance’s concerns about China could be sidelined at Ankara gathering.

5 Jul 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

This year’s Nato summit in Ankara will be the first held in Turkey since 2004. Photo: dpa

South Korea

Why North Korean POWs in Ukraine are making Seoul walk a diplomatic tightrope

Ukraine wants weapons in exchange for the soldiers, but analysts say South Korea fears provoking Russia and Pyongyang.

2 Jul 2026 - 8:54AMvideocam

US-China relations

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, June 2026

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

1 Jul 2026 - 11:36AM

South Korea

North Korea’s border build-up opens a Seoul-UN Command rift

South Korea views its the North’s border fortifications as an armistice violation. The UN body disagrees.

26 Jun 2026 - 8:00AM

North Korean soldiers move along a fence line near Yujeong-dong village in North Korea, as seen from the Ganghwa Peace Observatory in Incheon in 2024. Photo: The Korea Times

South Korea

As US wavers, ex-minister says Japan and South Korea ‘only have each other’

Former Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said Tokyo and Seoul ‘need to step up our own effort for stability in the region’.

25 Jun 2026 - 3:59PMvideocam

South Korea

Why North Korea prefers a ‘hostile’ neighbour to Seoul’s peace efforts

One way to break the deadlock is to revive talks between the two Koreas, China and the US to end the Korean war, an analyst suggests.

24 Jun 2026 - 9:43AMvideocam

North Korea nuclear crisis

Kim says North Korea to arm navy with nuclear weapons, build bigger warships

The leader is aiming to construct two vessels a year, both of a larger class than the newly commissioned Choe Hon destroyer.

24 Jun 2026 - 5:47PMvideocam

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North Korea

Russia used North Korean missile in deadly strike on Ukraine village: Zelensky

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

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

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

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.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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.

A purge among North Korean generals – and why Kim wants everyone to see

As the army’s economic roles grow, Kim Jong-un seeks to remind the generals who really holds power in Pyongyang.

South Korean sailor missing on patrol found dead near North Korea sea border

Seoul had asked North Korea for help after fears the sailor might have drifted across the Northern Limit Line but received no response.

Xi Jinping urges stronger China-North Korea ‘combat friendship forged in blood’

Chinese leader also calls to boost strategic coordination as North Korean premier visits Beijing to mark 65th anniversary of defence pact.

North Korea’s premier heads to China for defence treaty anniversary as allies extend thaw

Pak Thae-song’s trip comes less than a month after President Xi Jinping made his first visit to Pyongyang in seven years.

Nato, Indo-Pacific 4 vow defence, tech boost as China-Russia ties spark alarm

Nato chief Mark Rutte meets top officials from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea on sidelines of Ankara summit.

Nato launches defence projects to counter Russia and China

New measures focus on critical minerals, drone capabilities and missile shields as members boost the alliance’s industrial base.

‘Let me join’: North Korea flexes naval muscle ahead of China-Russia drills

Pyongyang’s new cruise-missile destroyers are built to project power far beyond home waters, analysts say.

Nato can’t be ‘naive’ about China as it ramps up military might, Rutte claims

Nato’s secretary general contacts Japan’s defence minister after Chinese nuclear submarine fires test missile into Pacific.

Why the Indo-Pacific might be on the back burner at the Nato summit

Immediate pressures over Ukraine, Iran and spending mean alliance’s concerns about China could be sidelined at Ankara gathering.

Why North Korean POWs in Ukraine are making Seoul walk a diplomatic tightrope

Ukraine wants weapons in exchange for the soldiers, but analysts say South Korea fears provoking Russia and Pyongyang.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, June 2026

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

North Korea’s border build-up opens a Seoul-UN Command rift

South Korea views its the North’s border fortifications as an armistice violation. The UN body disagrees.

As US wavers, ex-minister says Japan and South Korea ‘only have each other’

Former Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said Tokyo and Seoul ‘need to step up our own effort for stability in the region’.

Why North Korea prefers a ‘hostile’ neighbour to Seoul’s peace efforts

One way to break the deadlock is to revive talks between the two Koreas, China and the US to end the Korean war, an analyst suggests.

Kim says North Korea to arm navy with nuclear weapons, build bigger warships

The leader is aiming to construct two vessels a year, both of a larger class than the newly commissioned Choe Hon destroyer.

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