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North Korea Resumes Tourism for Russian Visitors Amidst Empty Resorts

North Korea Resumes Tourism for Russian Visitors Amidst Empty Resorts

North Korea has reopened its borders to Russian tourists in February 2024, following a closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. This move aims to attract foreign visitors, with a focus on destinations like the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone. However, reports from recent visitors indicate that these large-scale resorts, designed to accommodate thousands, remain largely empty. For instance, a group of 13 Russian tourists found the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, which can host 20,000 people, to be deserted. Travel to North Korea comes with significant restrictions, including mandatory accompaniment by two North Korean guides, limitations on independent activities, and strict rules regarding photography, particularly of military installations, construction sites, or people engaged in physical labor. While local prices for items like beer and Wi-Fi are relatively low, the overall cost of a week-long trip, including airfare, can amount to approximately $2,000 per person. Tourists are also required to use ele...

South Korean and US militaries shorten drills by about half after Trump ordered a reduction

South Korean and US militaries shorten drills by about half after Trump ordered a reduction

South Korea says the South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their drills at the U.S.'s request

North Korea fires a suspected missile toward the sea, Japan says

North Korea fires a suspected missile toward the sea, Japan says

Japan says North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the sea

North Korea fires barrage of missiles toward the sea after dismissing overture from Trump

North Korea fires barrage of missiles toward the sea after dismissing overture from Trump

South Korea’s military says North Korea has launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea

Bearing North Fund Launches to Support Films on North Korea, Announces First Project 'School for Defectors'

Bearing North Fund Launches to Support Films on North Korea, Announces First Project 'School for Defectors'

A new private grantmaking initiative, Bearing North, has been established in Los Angeles to fund films focusing on North Korea. Founded by entrepreneurs and film investors Blaine Vess and Esther Paik Vess, the initiative will provide grants to independent filmmakers globally for documentary features, narrative features, and short films. Bearing North has a stated preference for projects led by North Korean defectors. The advisory board for the fund includes prominent figures from documentary filmmaking, journalism, and human rights advocacy, such as Matt Tyrnauer, Anna Fifield, Joseph Kim, Hannah Song, and Sokeel Park. The first project to receive support from Bearing North is 'School for Defectors,' a documentary directed by Jeremy Workman, which follows students at the Jangdaehyun School in Busan, South Korea, an institution dedicated to North Korean defectors and their families. Grant applications for the fund are currently open.

North Korean IT Workers Infiltrate U.S. Corporations, Funding Weapons Programs Through Deceptive Schemes

North Korean IT Workers Infiltrate U.S. Corporations, Funding Weapons Programs Through Deceptive Schemes

Thousands of North Korean IT workers are infiltrating U.S. corporations by posing as legitimate employees, using stolen American identities, 'laptop farms,' and artificial intelligence to secure remote jobs. These operatives generate significant revenue for North Korea, with nearly $800 million in 2024 alone, which the Treasury Department states directly funds the regime's weapons programs. Once hired, these workers gain trusted access to corporate networks, creating opportunities for data theft, espionage, extortion, and more sophisticated cyber operations. Michael 'Barni' Barnhart, a cybersecurity threat hunter, revealed that North Korean IT workers have applied to, worked for, or targeted 18 out of 20 sampled Fortune 500 companies. The scheme has evolved to include recruiting U.S. citizens as intermediaries to host company laptops and impersonate applicants in interviews, further complicating detection.

North Korea's Kim Yo Jong denies Zelenskiy's claim on additional troops deployment

North Korea's Kim Yo Jong denies Zelenskiy's claim on additional troops deployment

By Heejin Kim and Brenda Goh SEOUL, Aug 19 (Reuters) - North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, on Wednesday denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's claim that Pyongyang plans to send up to 50,000 more troops to Russia to fight for its ally.

South Korea says North Korea fires barrage of short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea

South Korea says North Korea fires barrage of short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea

South Korea’s military says North Korea has launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea

US commander discusses scaling back joint South Korea drills, media reports

US commander discusses scaling back joint South Korea drills, media reports

By Joyce Lee and Kyu-seok Shim SEOUL, Aug 18 (Reuters) - U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Xavier Brunson visited South Korea's Defence Ministry on Tuesday to discuss plans to scale back the joint Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise, according to media reports.

President Trump Orders Substantial Reduction of Joint Military Exercises with South Korea, Citing Costs and Iran Stance

President Trump Orders Substantial Reduction of Joint Military Exercises with South Korea, Citing Costs and Iran Stance

President Trump has instructed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, specifically the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills. This directive, announced via his Truth Social platform, came hours before the exercises were scheduled to begin. President Trump cited the high cost of the drills, largely borne by the United States, and South Korea's refusal to join U.S. efforts to denuclearize Iran as primary reasons for his decision. He also highlighted his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stating that the exercises send an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to a country he considers unthreatening and respectful during his presidency. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises were slated to run until August 27, involving approximately 18,000 South Korean military personnel. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the drills commenced as scheduled, while the presidential Blue House stated it was reviewing President Trump's post and expressed hop...

North Korea condemns US-South Korea drills despite Trump order to scale back

North Korea condemns US-South Korea drills despite Trump order to scale back

By Joyce Lee SEOUL, Aug 19 (Reuters) - North Korea denounced military drills by the U.S. and South Korea, saying it would continue exercising its right to self-defence to counter what it called military threats from the two countries, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday.