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The Koreas
Tourists and Diplomats Come Back to North Korea: A Chance for Renewed Engagement
By Elena Guido
North Korea’s near-simultaneous reopening to tourism and to Western diplomats after five years of isolation signals a dramatic shift in the country’s approach to international engagement.
Rice Prices in North Korea Surge to New Highs in September
By Seulkee Jang
Reduced domestic production and imports are leading to scarce market supplies, driving up North Korean food prices.
South Korea’s Changing Position on Kim Jong Un’s Daughter
By ISOZAKI Atsuhito
There is little hard evidence to back up Seoul’s assertions about her status.
North Korea Gives Glimpse Into a Secretive Uranium-Enrichment Facility as Kim Pushes for More Nukes
By Hyung-jin Kim and Kim Tong-hyung
State media released images of leader Kim Jong Un visiting the Nuclear Weapons Institute and an unnamed facility producing weapons-grade nuclear materials.
The Opportunity for South Korea-US Cooperation in AI Hardware and Energy Needs
By Seungmin (Helen) Lee and Michelle J. Lee
By supporting South Korea’s renewable energy development, the U.S. could strengthen a critical ally’s AI and chip industry, which is a step toward building collective resilience.
South Korea’s President Yoon Meets Japanese Prime Minister Kishida One Last Time
By Mitch Shin
Before Kishida’s departure as prime minister, Yoon touted their efforts to restore stony relations between the two countries. The South Korean public is less enthused.
North Korea Expands Media Ban to Include Chinese Films
By Chelsea Toczauer
The shift to put Chinese media on the blacklist is another signal of strained China-North Korea relations.
Outgoing Japanese Leader Kishida Will Visit South Korea for a Summit on Improving Ties
By Kim Tong-hyung
Seoul said that Kishida, who will step down after internal party elections in September, “actively expressed hope” to end his term on a high note in bilateral relations.
North Korea Shows New Drone Attacking a Target as South Korea, US Hold Large Military Exercises
By Kim Tong-hyung
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday’s test involved various types of drones built to fly different ranges to attack enemy targets on land and sea.
Beyond the Surveys: Unpacking South Korea’s Nuclear Ambitions Amid Political and Domestic Realities
By Daeyeon Lee
Support for nuclear weapons is less notable when the costs are factored in – and is politically infeasible regardless of public sentiment.
The Significance and Implications of North Korea’s Garbage Balloon Tactics
By Jihoon Yu
The act of sending waste-filled balloons is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a reminder of North Korea’s capacity for unconventional and asymmetric warfare.
Is North Korea Returning to a Balanced Diplomacy?
By ISOZAKI Atsuhito
For North Korea, Russia acts as a counterbalance to China in what appears to be an imitation of the diplomacy of Kim Jong Un’s grandfather.