What happens when cinema loses its freedom
Films have a great influence on our lives, whether we realize it or not. I can show this through my own life. If it weren’t...
What’s behind mandatory military service for women?
Growing up, my mother always said, “Don’t wait for a man who went to the army.” She was patient for ten years before my father...
Soaring exchange rate drives up food prices
A recent surge in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against the North Korean won appears to have led to a rise in food prices. According...
Ordinary North Koreans express optimism over Lee’s inauguration in the South
Following a straight news report by the Korean Central News Agency on the inauguration of President Lee Jae-Myung, informing the populace about the change at...
“Rope selling” and “rope supporting” — Lenin’s lessons for South Korean and American politicians, Left and Right
Among the many absurd claims of North Korea's propaganda in promoting the cult of the hereditary Kim dynasty is that Kim Jong-il, as a very young boy,...
Serious accident during destroyer launch… Kim Jong Un: “An unacceptable crime”
Kim Jong Un witnessed a major accident May 21 during the botched launch of a newly built 5,000-ton-class destroyer. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)...
State Security Ministry is now monitoring and restricting military counterintelligence agents—What’s going on?
The State Security Ministry (SSM) is reportedly monitoring and restraining even the activities of military counterintelligence agents from the Defense Security Bureau (Security Command) in...
North prepares for additional troop deployment to Russia… Aims to mass-produce combat-hardened fighters
North Korea is reportedly preparing an additional troop deployment to the Russian front in the war with Ukraine. The goal appears to be to mass-produce...
North enforces crackdown during rice-planting season… Forced labor for offenders
Amid the height of the rice-planting season, an intensive crackdown is reportedly underway. Part of the regime’s broader effort to maintain social order, the season...
The state takes over smuggling, violating sanctions and threatening livelihoods
The widespread smuggling which has long been a means of livelihood for many ordinary citizens has been replaced by what is known inside North Korea...
Families of soldiers killed in Russia compensated with 30 days’ worth of groceries
Government authorities are providing a month’s worth of groceries to the families of soldiers killed in combat in Russia in its war with Ukraine, according...
Who digs through the garbage?
When I lived in North Korea, which was until recently, anything related to South Korea was completely taboo. All we knew was that it was...
Successor or homegrown fashion icon? Why Is North Korea showcasing Kim Ju-ae?
When Kim Ju-ae stepped into the public eye for the first time, holding her father’s hand, she was instantly thrust into the global spotlight. The...