North Korean dispatched workers at a construction site in Vladivostok, Russia

North Korea curbs cheap overseas labor dispatch

North Korean authorities have moved to revoke authorization for state agencies and trading companies to send workers abroad, and are also re-evaluating the profitability...
Three-panel satellite sequence showing Dudan Island in the Daedong River disappearing, 2012 to 2026

Satellite images show N. Korea dredging rivers on a massive scale

North Korea is carrying out large-scale sand and gravel extraction along its major rivers in 2026. Crews are deploying large dredgers and heavy equipment...
business loans

Markets, not wages, feed North Korean households

"The official salary from my workplace is about 30,000 North Korean won a month. But feeding our family of four takes more than 800,000...
cryptocurrency, cybercrime, north korea, dprk, cyber, operatives

North Korea busts elite hacking ring inside its own banks

A criminal ring hacked into the internal networks of North Korea's central bank and its main foreign trade bank. The ring used cryptocurrency to...
hamhung

Rising prices drive North Korean women toward prostitution

More women in parts of North Korea are turning to prostitution to survive amid worsening economic hardship. Police have tried posing as clients to...
Workers in white lab coats inspect food products on display at the Amnok River General Food Factory in North Korea.

Rumors of Chinese investment fuel Hyesan factory’s reputation

Residents of Hyesan, Ryanggang province, tend to be unimpressed with food products made in North Korean factories — but they're making an exception for...
Satellite images from Jan. 21 and April 7, 2026, showing facility changes at North Korea's Pyongsan uranium refinery, including roof repainting, four freight trains, and unknown construction near coal storage

N. Korea locks down villages near uranium plant over mystery illness

North Korean authorities have sealed off a cluster of villages near a uranium refining plant in North Hwanghae province. The lockdown follows an outbreak...
Illustration of a North Korean smartphone showing predictive text replacing South Korean-style words, including "yeochin" and "date," with asterisks, July 2026

North Korea cracks down on youths using South Korean-style word for dad

Authorities in Chongjin, North Hamgyong province, summoned three young people to a provincial youth league office this month over their use of the South...

Stay Informed

North Korea, delivered to your inbox every week.

Get exclusive reporting from inside the DPRK sent directly to you — straight from Daily NK's in-country source network.

Published every week — concise, reliable, on time

Reporting unavailable from any other outlet

Trusted by journalists, researchers, and policymakers worldwide

Subscribe Free

No spam • Unsubscribe anytime

About Our Sources

Reporting from inside North Korea

Daily NK has maintained a network of correspondents inside the DPRK since 2004. Our sources report at personal risk — providing ground-level information unavailable from any other outlet.

Reporting since 2004 — over two decades of in-country coverage

Sources in Pyongyang, Sinuiju, Hyesan and beyond

All reporting verified against multiple independent sources

North Korea Market Trends

Updated 26-07-19
Exchange Rate 1 USD → KPW
Pyongyang
65,000
Sinuiju
65,100
Hyesan
65,150
Full Exchange Rate Data →
Rice Prices KPW per kg
Pyongyang
40,000
Sinuiju
40,200
Hyesan
40,600
Full Rice Price Data →

Analyst Spotlight

Expert analysis on North Korea

Support Our Work

Help keep our sources safe and reporting

Daily NK's correspondents inside North Korea report at personal risk. Your support funds the secure communications, source protection, and editorial work that makes this reporting possible.

One of the few outlets with a reporting network inside the DPRK

Seoul-based independent media

Reporting continuously since 2004