Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea>N. Koreans start their war against the cold, gathering at coal mines to pick up what they can, sometimes leading to police mobilizations… “There’s far less coal available than needed. We’ll freeze to death if this continues…” 2022.12.23
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> The Kim regime shifts its food policy, suppressing food sales in markets while creating a state monopoly on the food supply ISHIMARU Jiro 2022.12.14
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> Two N. Koreans caught attempting to defect arrested and possibly executed by firing squad…Government says “defections will not be forgiven” 2022.12.06
Politics <Interview with Two N. Korean Women> How do N. Koreans view the appearance of Kim Jong-un’s daughter, “Ju-ae”? Rumors circulate that she’s a “genius” and an “advisor” to her father 2022.12.01
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea>RMB-KRW exchange rate sees unprecedented rise, 36% higher than 3 weeks ago…“Foreign currency has dried up now” 2022.12.01
Politics Human rights situation has only worsened during Kim Jong-un’s 11 years in power ISHIMARU Jiro 2022.11.30
Society / Economy COVID-19 <Interview with a N. Korean> (2) Speaking honestly about N. Korea’s poverty…“I’m angry whenever I hear about missiles and I want to live like a human being” 2022.11.29
Society / Economy <Interview with a N. Korean> (1) “It’s ridiculous that the government launches missiles while its people remain starving” 2022.11.27
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> Government sets nighttime curfew at 6 PM..."Police arrest anyone who leaves their homes..." Why now? 2022.11.16
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea>N. Korea takes issue with high school students taking videos of kissing, dancing, fighting, and harassing the homeless 2022.11.11
Society / Economy COVID-19 <Inside N. Korea> Chinese vaccines administered to N. Koreans in cities near Chinese border, leading to high hopes about restart of trade 2022.11.06
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> Smuggling appears to restart on the China-North Korea border…Would-be defectors are caught, and trading companies start “state-led smuggling” 2022.10.31
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> High school students enter farm fields to steal crops to survive…Government officials check whereabouts of students who miss class 2022.10.31
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea>A severe lack of medicines is pushing N. Korea’s medical system further into collapse…Imports of medical supplies are increasing, but without IVs, anesthesia, or disinfectant, people are dying 2022.10.31
Military The goal of N. Korea’s missile and nuclear development is to perpetuate the rule of the Kim family…The regime is ignoring the existence of its starving population ISHIMARU Jiro 2022.10.25
Military <Insider Interview>How have North Korea’s people viewed the country’s continued missile launches? With food shortages continuing, their distrust and disinterest in the government is deepening… 2022.10.14
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> N. Korea’s recent farming situation (2) Gunshots heard in the farm fields…The authorities place an unprecedently troops in the fields to prevent robberies 2022.10.12
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> Shocking levels of urban poverty forces an increasing number of people to abandon cities to beg in rural areas 2022.10.06
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> Massive increase in opium addicts leads to measures by the authorities as the drug is used to treat COVID-19 symptoms 2022.09.27
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea>Recent farming situation (1) Farm mobilizations begin in earnest…The authorities work hard to prevent stealing of harvested crops 2022.09.24
Politics COVID-19 <Local Interview>Is N. Korea’s “victory of COVID-19” legit? (3) As Kim Yo-jong’s claim that COVID-19 was imported by defectors whips up hatred against the South 2022.09.04
Politics COVID-19 <Local Interview> Is N. Korea’s “victory over COVID-19” legit? (2) “Cadres are now contracting the virus” 2022.09.03