Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea>Harsh cold snap in January leads to death toll, with frozen bodies found in fields or inside mud huts…Authorities order closer monitoring of the people in response to rise in wandering people 2023.02.10
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea>Even high-level cadres mobilized to collect human feces during this year’s “manure battle”…People bring buckets with them when going to the public lavatory 2023.02.08
Politics <Confidential Document>Runaways, suicides and deaths are commonplace in N. Korea’s police detention facilities, leading Kim Jong-un to sign off on measures to punish those in charge 2023.02.02
Society / Economy Facing an extreme cold snap, North Koreans are in the middle of a terrible war with the cold ISHIMARU Jiro 2023.01.31
Military Recently obtained “confidential document” signed off by Kim Jong-un reports on a gruesome incident involving a shock brigade 2023.01.27
Society / Economy COVID-19 <Confidential Document> With the collapse of the medical system, Kim Jong-un orders crackdown on home remedies to treat illnesses…Why? 2023.01.18
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> The country’s medical system continues its freefall into collapse, with hospitals sending patients back home due to lack of heating 2023.01.16
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea>Why are food prices skyrocketing at the start of the new year? Anxiety over food shortages leads to hoarding and even people wandering around after falling into financial ruin 2023.01.10
Politics <Inside N. Korea> Cadres shocked by massive personnel shakeup that brings more young people into official positions 2023.01.07
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> China hurries to intensify border security due to uptick in COVID-19 cases, ordering people to avoid going within 100 meters of border 2022.12.27
Society / Economy <Inside N. Korea> Kim Jong-un regime strengthens state-run food store network to sell food at prices cheaper than markets 2022.12.23
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