Amid general uncertainty about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, speculation about who might replace him has reached a fever pitch. Commentators seem especially intrigued by the role of his sister Kim Yo Jong, who has drawn attention by her highly public role in the regime’s activities. Yet some analysts insist that her gender…

On Apil 30, 2020, Jung H. Pak discussed the current uncertainty in North Korea's ability to handle the challenges posed by COVID-19 outbreak with the Korea Economic Institute of America.

In her new book, Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer's Insights into North Korea's Enigmatic Young Dictator (Ballantine Books), Brookings Senior Fellow Jung Pak describes the rise of North Korea's ruler. In this episode, she is interviewed by Senior Fellow Michael O’Hanlon. Also on this episode, Senior Fellow Sarah Binder offers four lessons about how Congress…

Amid general uncertainty about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, speculation about who might replace him has reached a fever pitch. Commentators seem especially intrigued by the role of his sister Kim Yo Jong, who has drawn attention by her highly public role in the regime’s activities. Yet some analysts insist that her gender…

In her new book, Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer's Insights into North Korea's Enigmatic Young Dictator (Ballantine Books), Brookings Senior Fellow Jung Pak describes the rise of North Korea's ruler. In this episode, she is interviewed by Senior Fellow Michael O’Hanlon. Also on this episode, Senior Fellow Sarah Binder offers four lessons about how Congress…

Evans Revere recently gave a presentation on how to deal with the challenge posed by North Korea to regional stability at a U.S.-China-Japan Trilateral Track II Conference co-hosted by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and the Tokyo Foundation in Japan.

President Obama’s decision to normalize relations with Cuba is an historic development, one that my or may not have implications for U.S. relations with North Korea. Evans Revere argues that the move by the United States and Cuba, together with the ongoing delicate talks between the United States and Iran, serve only to highlight the degree to which North Korea is an outlier in contemporary international society.

Executive Summary Pyongyang’s latest nuclear weapon and ballistic missile tests have underscored North Korea’s growing threat to the United States and its allies and have fueled a rising sense of urgency inside the Obama administration. Future nuclear and missile developments, together with North Korea’s threats to use these weapons, will soon present the next U.S. […]

When it became clear in 2009 that Kim Jong Un was being groomed to be the leader of North Korea, Jung Pak was a new analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency. Her job was to analyze this then little-known young man who would take over a nuclear-armed country and keep the highest levels of the…

Since the Trump administration took office in January 2017, North Korea has occupied a central place in the administration’s foreign policy. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton said publicly in late April that the administration considers North Korea its “number one national security priority.”1 Although the administration’s response has included a number of components—military signaling…

The goal President Trump will try to advance in Vietnam – the complete denuclearization of North Korea – is a goal genuinely shared by the ROK, China, Japan, Russia, and many other countries. For the ROK, it would remove a major asymmetry with its northern neighbor and a barrier to North-South reconciliation. For China, it…

The summit meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un on February 27 and 28 in Vietnam brought the two leaders together for the second time in less than a year. U.S.-North Korea negotiations on nuclear issues have been at a stalemate since the first summit in Singapore that touted lofty…

NBC's Bill Neely reports analyst in South Korea confirmed there was a test but it could take weeks or months to determine what exactly happened underground.

In this exclusive 35-minute documentary, we expose a massive and unknown fish smuggling and supply network in the Pacific Ocean. Every year, an armada of North Korean ghost ships invade the waters of the Russian Far East and Japan. From Vladivostok to North Korea, via China, our reporter Elena Volochine investigated the illegal fishing networks of the world's most secretive country, North Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is "alive and well", a top security adviser to the South's President Moon Jae-in said, downplaying rumours over Kim's health following his absence from a key anniversary.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his first public appearance in 20 days as he celebrated the completion of a fertilizer factory near Pyongyang, state media said Saturday, ending an absence that had triggered global rumors that he may be seriously ill. 

President Xi Jinping expresses concern about the threat to its neighbour, and offers to help.

President Xi Jinping expresses concern about the threat to its neighbour, and offers to help.

Seoul: The US is looking into intelligence that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is "in grave danger after a surgery", a media report said on Tuesday.

The Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency quoted a CNN report which cited an unidentified "US official with direct knowledge" as saying, but offered no further details.

The report came after a South Korean internet news outlet reported that Kim has been receiving medical treatment at a villa in the resort county of Hyangsan, outside of Pyongyang, following a cardiovascular procedure.

Speculation has increased about what happened to Kim since he apparently skipped an annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the occasion of the 108th birthday of his late grandfather and state founder Kim Il-sung on April 15.

Kim was last seen on April 11 in state media reports presiding over a political bureau meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, calling for "strict national countermeasures to thoroughly check the infiltration of the virus".

Kim took over as leader after his father and late leader Kim Jong-il died in late 2011.

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Imports from North Korea in Germany increased to 1017 EUR THO in February from 8 EUR THO in January of 2020. Imports from North Korea in Germany averaged 1648.27 EUR THO from 2000 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 64384 EUR THO in March of 2004 and a record low of 8 EUR THO in January of 2020. This page includes a chart with historical data for Germany Imports from North Korea.

Internet Speed in North Korea increased to 3451.38 KBps in the first quarter of 2014 from 2886.55 KBps in the fourth quarter of 2013. Internet Speed in North Korea averaged 2751.97 KBps from 2007 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 14704.33 KBps in the third quarter of 2011 and a record low of 800.20 KBps in the second quarter of 2008. This page includes a chart with historical data for North KoreaInternet Speed.

IP Addresses in North Korea increased to 130 IP in the first quarter of 2014 from 77 IP in the fourth quarter of 2013. IP Addresses in North Korea averaged 85 IP from 2007 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 261 IP in the first quarter of 2013 and a record low of 28 IP in the fourth quarter of 2007. This page includes a chart with historical data for North KoreaIP Addresses.

Precipitation in North Korea decreased to 12.52 mm in December from 59.35 mm in November of 2015. Precipitation in North Korea averaged 87.13 mm from 1901 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 459.86 mm in July of 2013 and a record low of 1.20 mm in February of 1905. This page includes a chart with historical data for North Korea Average Precipitation.

Temperature in North Korea decreased to -6.81 celsius in December from -0.33 celsius in November of 2015. Temperature in North Korea averaged 6.74 celsius from 1839 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 23.95 celsius in July of 1994 and a record low of -14.39 celsius in January of 1922. This page includes a chart with historical data for North Korea Average Temperature.

North Korea recorded a trade deficit of 1688 USD Million in 2017. Balance of Trade in North Korea averaged -979.76 USD Million from 2001 until 2017, reaching an all time high of -216.60 USD Million in 2007 and a record low of -2062.20 USD Million in 2008. This page provides - North Korea Balance of Trade - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Exports in North Korea decreased to 1844.50 USD Million in 2017 from 2913.73 USD Million in 2016. Exports in North Korea averaged 2224.69 USD Million from 2001 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 3628.45 USD Million in 2013 and a record low of 972.43 USD Million in 2001. North Korea exports mainly commodities like coal and iron ore and textiles. China is the main trading partner. This page provides - North Korea Exports - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Imports in North Korea increased to 3532.51 USD Million in 2017 from 3139.48 USD Million in 2016. Imports in North Korea averaged 3204.45 USD Million from 2001 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 4373.83 USD Million in 2013 and a record low of 1609.59 USD Million in 2003. This page provides - North Korea Imports - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Agriculture in North Korea decreased to 7049.40 KPW Billion in 2017 from 7144.10 KPW Billion in 2016. Gdp From Agriculture in North Korea averaged 6143.70 KPW Billion from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 7144.10 KPW Billion in 2016 and a record low of 4980.10 KPW Billion in 1997. This page provides - North Korea Gdp From Agriculture- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Construction in North Korea decreased to 2494 KPW Billion in 2017 from 2608.70 KPW Billion in 2016. Gdp From Construction in North Korea averaged 2434.38 KPW Billion from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 3494.90 KPW Billion in 1990 and a record low of 1480 KPW Billion in 1998. This page provides - North Korea Gdp From Construction- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Manufacturing in North Korea decreased to 6196.60 KPW Billion in 2017 from 6657.90 KPW Billion in 2016. Gdp From Manufacturing in North Korea averaged 6884.19 KPW Billion from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 11834.90 KPW Billion in 1990 and a record low of 5434.90 KPW Billion in 1998. This page provides - North Korea Gdp From Manufacturing- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Mining in North Korea decreased to 4265.50 KPW Billion in 2017 from 4790.40 KPW Billion in 2016. Gdp From Mining in North Korea averaged 4259.86 KPW Billion from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 5732 KPW Billion in 1990 and a record low of 3084 KPW Billion in 1998. This page provides - North Korea Gdp From Mining- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Public Administration in North Korea increased to 6958.40 KPW Billion in 2017 from 6904.40 KPW Billion in 2016. Gdp From Public Administration in North Korea averaged 6523.42 KPW Billion from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 6958.40 KPW Billion in 2017 and a record low of 5668.90 KPW Billion in 1990. This page provides - North Korea Gdp From Public Administration- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Services in North Korea increased to 9608.80 KPW Billion in 2017 from 9561.60 KPW Billion in 2016. Gdp From Services in North Korea averaged 8866.31 KPW Billion from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 9608.80 KPW Billion in 2017 and a record low of 7877.30 KPW Billion in 1990. This page provides - North Korea Gdp From Services- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Transport in North Korea decreased to 730.90 KPW Billion in 2017 from 762.80 KPW Billion in 2016. Gdp From Transport in North Korea averaged 753.11 KPW Billion from 2010 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 764.40 KPW Billion in 2015 and a record low of 730.90 KPW Billion in 2017. This page provides - North Korea Gdp From Transport- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Utilities in North Korea decreased to 1157.30 KPW Billion in 2017 from 1192.50 KPW Billion in 2016. Gdp From Utilities in North Korea averaged 1063.75 KPW Billion from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 1318.70 KPW Billion in 1990 and a record low of 815 KPW Billion in 1998. This page provides - North Korea Gdp From Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp Constant Prices in North Korea decreased to 30882.30 KPW Billion in 2017 from 31996.60 KPW Billion in 2016. Gdp Constant Prices in North Korea averaged 29447.79 KPW Billion from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 35026.90 KPW Billion in 1990 and a record low of 24912.40 KPW Billion in 1998. This page provides - North Korea Gdp Constant Prices- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Car Production in North Korea decreased to 0.30 Ten Thousand Units in 2017 from 0.40 Ten Thousand Units in 2016. Car Production in North Korea averaged 0.62 Ten Thousand Units from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 1.30 Ten Thousand Units in 1990 and a record low of 0.30 Ten Thousand Units in 2017. This page provides - North Korea Car Production- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cement Production in North Korea decreased to 6838 Thousands of Tonnes in 2017 from 7077 Thousands of Tonnes in 2016. Cement Production in North Korea averaged 5465.36 Thousands of Tonnes from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 7077 Thousands of Tonnes in 2016 and a record low of 3150 Thousands of Tonnes in 1998. This page provides - North Korea Cement Production- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Steel Production in North Korea decreased to 1090 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 from 1218 Thousand Tonnes in 2016. Steel Production in North Korea averaged 1387.86 Thousand Tonnes from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 3364 Thousand Tonnes in 1990 and a record low of 945 Thousand Tonnes in 1998. This page provides - North Korea Steel Production- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Manufacturing Production in North Korea decreased 6.90 percent in December of 2017 over the same month in the previous year. Manufacturing Production in North Korea averaged 1.43 percent from 1991 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 24.10 percent in 2008 and a record low of -16.70 percent in 1992. This page provides - North Korea Manufacturing Production - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Labor Force Participation Rate in North Korea remained unchanged at 70.50 percent in 2017 from 70.50 percent in 2016. Labor Force Participation Rate in North Korea averaged 81.14 percent from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 84.30 percent in 1991 and a record low of 70.50 percent in 2016. This page provides - North Korea Labor Force Participation Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The number of employed persons in North Korea increased to 14103 Thousand in 2017 from 14002 Thousand in 2016. Employed Persons in North Korea averaged 13547.04 Thousand from 1991 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 17371 Thousand in 2012 and a record low of 12121 Thousand in 1991. This page provides - North Korea Employed Persons- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Weapons Sales in North Korea decreased to 5 USD Million in 2014 from 26 USD Million in 2010. Weapons Sales in North Korea averaged 69.40 USD Million from 1974 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 250 USD Million in 1984 and a record low of 4 USD Million in 1991. Weapons Sales are presented as a Trend-Indicator Value based on the known unit production costs of a core set of weapons such as aircraft, air defence systems, anti-submarine warfare weapons, armoured vehicles, artillery, engines, missiles, sensors, satellites, ships and others. The indicator aims to represent the transfer value of military resources rather than the financial value of the transfer.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in North Korea contracted 4.10 percent in 2018 from the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in North Korea averaged -0.61 percent from 1990 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 6.10 percent in 1999 and a record low of -6.50 percent in 1997. In 2015, the services sector accounted for 32.2 percent of total GDP, with government services reaching 23.3 percent. The agricultural sector recorded the second largest share (21.6 percent), followed by manufacturing (20.4 percent); mining (12.2 percent); construction (9 percent) and electricity, gas and water supply (4.5 percent), according to estimates from the central bank of South Korea. This page provides - North Korea GDP Annual Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Terrorism Index in North Korea remained unchanged at 0 in 2018 from 0 in 2017. The Global Terrorism Index measures the direct and indirect impact of terrorism, including its effects on lives lost, injuries, property damage and the psychological aftereffects. It is a composite score that ranks countries according to the impact of terrorism from 0 (no impact) to 10 (highest impact).

Industrial Production in North Korea decreased 3.10 percent in 2015 over the previous year. Industrial Production in North Korea averaged 2.91 percent from 1991 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 10 percent in 2008 and a record low of -3.10 percent in 2015. Industrial Production in North Korea is reported by the North Korea Statistics. . This page provides - North Korea Industrial Production- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Employment Rate in North Korea remained unchanged at 74.20 percent in 2015 from 74.20 percent in 2014. Employment Rate in North Korea averaged 76.64 percent from 1991 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 80.40 percent in 1994 and a record low of 74.20 percent in 2013. Employment Rate in North Korea is reported by the International Labour Organization (ILO). . This page provides - North Korea Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The inflation rate in North Korea was recorded at 55 percent in July of 2013. Inflation Rate in North Korea averaged 551.36 percent from 2010 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 4376 percent in August of 2010 and a record low of 30 percent in January of 2012. Inflation Rate in North Korea is reported by the Daily NK. This page provides - North Korea Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

North Korea scored 17 points out of 100 on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Index in North Korea averaged 11.33 Points from 2011 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 17 Points in 2017 and a record low of 8 Points in 2012. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). This page provides the latest reported value for - North Korea Corruption Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.