North Korea — Radio Free Asia

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attends wreath laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam March 2, 2019.

North Korean Leader’s Sister Retains Power Despite Formal ‘Demotion’

Kim Yo Jong is no longer in the Workers’ Party’s Politburo, but she still lobs insults at Seoul through state media.

Women wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus parade with flags during a rally to welcome the Eighth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020.

North Korea’s Ruling Party Increases Wait Time, ‘Loyalty Fees’ For Aspiring Members

2021-01-12

Candidacy period extended from one to two years, doubling the cost in bribes.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo supplied by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 11, 2021.

North Korean Leader Tells Party Congress US Remains ‘Biggest Enemy’

2021-01-12

Kim Jong Un inherits title of his father and grandfather, and their dependency on China.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo supplied by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 8, 2021.

North Koreans Cynical About ‘Self-Reliance’ Messaging During Party Congress

2021-01-08

Experts say that Kim Jong Un appears to admit that tough times lie ahead for the country.

In a file photo, North Korean border guards along the Yalu River border with China watch the people unloading goods from boats.

Locals Suffer as North Korea Ramps up Security on Chinese Border Ahead of Party Congress

2020-12-31

Since January closure, Pyongyang has introduced a cascade of security measures to stop illegal border crossers.

UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in North Korea, Tomás Ojea Quintana attends a press conference after delivering his report before the Human Right Council, on March 9, 2020 in Geneva.

UN Agencies Appeal to China Not to Repatriate Five North Korean Refugees

2020-12-30

The appeal cites China’s obligation as a UN member to uphold non refoulement principles.

North Korean Premier Kim Tok Hun inspects a coal mine in October, 2020.

Coal Miners Mobilized ‘Like Slaves’ in North Korea’s 80-Day Battle

2020-12-28

With no explosives or electricity, underfed miners spent months digging for coal with pickaxes and shovels.

A balloon containing leaflets denouncing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seen near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea, in a file photo.

Rights Groups Protest Anti-North Korean Leaflet Law at National Assembly in Seoul

2020-12-22

Activist calls on President Moon Jae-in to veto bill to protect South Korea’s constitution.

Farmers on the Chongsan-ri cooperative farm start planting rice for the year on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, in Nampo, North Korea.

North Korea’s Food Production Down Five Percent in 2020

2020-12-21

Food shortage expected to worsen in spring as country grows only 80 percent of what it needs.

In a file photo, students apply for enlistment in Pyongyang, North Korea.

Border Residents Wary as North Korea Sends Security College Students to Monitor Them

2020-12-18

Future secret agents assigned to neighborhood watch units to observe ‘and threaten’ the poor.

An artist's depiction of a public execution by firing squad in North Korea.

North Korea Executes Fishing Fleet Captain for Listening to RFA

2020-12-17

Like other former servicemen, the captain had been tuning in at sea for decades.

South Korean lawmaker Ji Seong-ho interviews with RFA's Korean Service in Washington, December 15, 2020.

Interview: Seoul’s Leaflet Ban a Problem Because ‘North Korea Hasn’t Changed at All’

2020-12-16

Former refugee Ji Seong-ho, now South Korean lawmaker, details meetings with U.S. counterparts during recent visit.

A North Korean escapee prepares to release a balloon containing leaflets denouncing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, near the demilitarized zone in Paju, South Korea, in a file photo.

South Korea Passes Law Against Flying Leaflets into North Korea

2020-12-15

Critics accuse Seoul of compromising on human rights for inter-Korean dialogue.

A trolley bus is disinfected amid fears over the spread of COVID-19 in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo taken February 22, 2020 and released by Kyodo February 23, 2020.

North Korea Halts All Public Transportation Outside of Pyongyang to Stop Coronavirus

2020-12-14

Sources describe empty squares in front of normally bustling train stations as transit ban goes into effect.

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Improving relations will be based only on reciprocity and mutual benefit, a North Korea expert says.

Forgive Me, My Son

A North Korean mother laments seven years of separation from her son.

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