Personal feud with watch leader triggers Hyesan brewing crackdown
A resident of Hyesan, in North Korea's Ryanggang province, lost their only source of income in 2026 after a neighborhood watch leader reported their...
University mobilizes students to dig trenches for campus intranet
A university in Hungnam district in Hamhung city, South Hamgyong province, mobilized students for three days of trench-digging work in late August 2026. The...
Battery demand surges in North Korea as customs clearance opens
North Korean trading companies are placing sharply higher orders for batteries now that customs clearance has opened between China and North Korea, but strict...
In North Korea, a Chinese phone now costs as much as a house
Chinese phone prices have surged along North Korea's border with China this year. Intensifying crackdowns and a halt in state-led smuggling have sharply reduced...
Asian Games athletes face ideology drills before Japan trip
North Korea's ruling Workers' Party of Korea has ordered intensive ideological education for the elite athletes it plans to send to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya...
North Korea threatens asset seizure in crackdown on fuel smuggling
North Korean authorities have ordered a sweeping crackdown on illegal fuel trading, targeting Russian imports diverted onto the black market. Officials framed the order...
Onsong county mother ordered back to labor training camp
A new mother in North Hamgyong province is drawing sympathy from her neighbors as North Korean authorities have ordered her back to a labor...
North Korea orders sweeping rebuild of northern border blockade
North Korea has ordered a massive reconstruction of its northern border defenses, re-establishing landmine fields and reaffirming its strict shoot-on-sight policy against any unauthorized...
North Korea cuts English classes, expands Russian at foreign language schools
North Korea's Ministry of Education has ordered foreign language schools nationwide to cut back on English classes and expand Russian instruction. Sources link the...
North Korean youth rush marriage for a shot at overseas work
North Korean youth in North Hamgyong province are rushing to marry in 2026 to improve their odds of winning an overseas work assignment. Authorities...
