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North Korea

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a country in East Asia, located in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering South Korea and China. Its capital, Pyongyang, is the country's largest city by both land area and population. It is a single-party state led by the Korean Workers' Party (KWP), and governed by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un since 2012. It has a population of 24,052,231 (UN-assisted DPRK census 2008) made up of Koreans and a smaller Chinese minority. Japan 'opened' Korea in 1876 and annexed it in 1910. The Republic of Korea (ROK) was founded with US support in the south in August 1948 and the Soviet-backed Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the north in September that year.

Capital

Pyongyang

Head of State

Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un

Head of Government

Premier Kim Tok-hun

Kim Jong-un hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

China-North Korea relations

China-North Korea thaw gathers pace as Kim says ties have reached a new level

The North Korean leader met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Pyongyang on Friday as the two sides pledged further ‘practical cooperation’.

10 Apr 2026 - 9:19PMvideocam

South Korea

In South Korea, you can order online deliveries for almost anything – even drugs

10 Apr 2026 - 1:17PMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

‘No one loses’: why North Korea’s Kim may shake hands with Trump again

9 Apr 2026 - 6:55PMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

North Korea tests electromagnetic weapon and carbon fibre bomb: state media

Such weapons use electromagnetic energy rather than explosives to disrupt or damage targets, especially electronics infrastructure.

9 Apr 2026 - 7:58AMvideocam

A screen displays file footage of a North Korean missile test at a train station in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

China-North Korea relations

Wang Yi set to visit North Korea, first for China’s top envoy since 2019

Visit comes as Beijing and Pyongyang step up engagement, including high-level exchanges in recent months.

8 Apr 2026 - 6:37PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Madness or bluster? Trump’s apocalyptic language raises key questions

A last-minute ceasefire halts threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation, but fuels questions about Trump’s negotiating style and mental state.

8 Apr 2026 - 2:47PMvideocam

South Korea

North Korea launches fifth missile test after dousing South’s peace hopes

A top Pyongyang official says the designation of the South as a hostile state ‘can never change with any words or conduct’.

8 Apr 2026 - 1:46PMvideocam

People watch a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test at a train station in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Kim Jong-un

Hidden meaning behind North Korea’s warm response to South’s drone apology

While North Korea praised the South’s actions as a ‘wise move’, it continues to rebuff any attempts at reconciliation dialogues.

7 Apr 2026 - 6:08PMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

North Korean silence on Iran signals openness to US talks: Seoul’s spy agency

Pyongyang has not sent weapons and supplies to its long-time ally , nor has it issued messages to mark Iranian leadership changes.

6 Apr 2026 - 2:32PMvideocam

South Korea

‘Irresponsible and reckless’: South Korea’s Lee regrets drones sent to North

The South Korean president said an investigation revealed that government officials were involved in the incursion earlier this year.

6 Apr 2026 - 11:12AMvideocam

Fragments of a drone lie scattered on the ground in Muksan-ri, North Korea, after being shot down on January 4. Photo: KCNA/Reuters

Diplomacy

Opinion | How America’s stumble in Iran upends East Asia’s security calculus

A region where US allies lose faith in Washington won’t necessarily embrace Beijing; it is a region more likely to reach for its own guns.

3 Apr 2026 - 9:21PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Cambodia’s scam industry exodus, Jollibee’s diaspora effect: 7 Asia highlights

From Cambodia’s scam industry exodus to Jollibee’s meaning to overseas Filipinos, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

31 Mar 2026 - 1:06PM

Kim Jong-un

Video | Kim attends special forces training

Kim inspects elite special forces unit stage combat drills.

30 Mar 2026 - 5:53PM

Air China

Video | Air China resumes direct flights to Pyongyang

The route resumption is seen as a sign of warming economic ties between China and North Korea.

30 Mar 2026 - 4:58PM

China-North Korea relations

China steps up North Korea connections as regular Pyongyang flights resume

Air China flight arrives in North Korea days after passenger train services between the neighbours were restored.

30 Mar 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

A flight route between Beijing and Pyongyang has resumed. An Air China flight leaves Beijing on Monday morning and returns from North Korea around noon the same day. Photo: Kyodo

My Take

My Take | Iran has shown the West’s containment of China is a fool’s errand

Countries across the world will be wise to hedge their bets with Beijing as the war exposes US security ‘guarantees’ as burdens and liabilities for allies.

29 Mar 2026 - 9:15PM

China-Japan relations

Japan upgrades ship with Tomahawk missiles. Why it might pose a threat to China

Analysts say the move marks a fundamental shift in Tokyo’s defence strategy, forcing Beijing to stay on high alert.

29 Mar 2026 - 8:00PM

Kim Jong-un

North Korea tests powerful missile engine. Will an ICBM launch follow?

The engine may be used in the Hwasong-20, which analysts say is capable of hitting targets around the globe.

31 Mar 2026 - 9:11AMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a test of a solid-fuel rocket engine at an undisclosed location in the country. Photo: KCNA via KNS/AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s Iran gamble falters as war drags on amid concerns of long-term chaos

With Iran emboldened despite US and Israeli strikes, analysts warn of the ‘permanent risk of repeated disruption’ for the global economy.

28 Mar 2026 - 3:53PM

Russia

North Korea and Belarus sign friendship treaty on Lukashenko’s first visit

Kim Jong-un and Alexander Lukashenko formalise ties in Pyongyang, agree to cooperate in an array of fields.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:08AM

South Korea

‘Anyone from the North?’: US comedian Seth Herzog apologises over BTS joke

Herzog’s remarks sparked backlash from fans ahead of the K-pop band’s American TV comeback.

26 Mar 2026 - 3:14PMvideocam

BTS members perform during their comeback concert in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday. Photo: AP

Belarus

Kim welcomes Belarus’ Lukashenko to North Korea with a 21-gun salute

The two countries also signed a ‘friendship and cooperation’ treaty to deepen ties.

26 Mar 2026 - 3:49PM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (right) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Pyongyang on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/Belarusian presidential press service

Human rights

How North Korea makes US$500 million yearly – at its own people’s expense

The report details the ‘brutal’ conditions North Korean workers endure in Russia that reveal a pattern of ‘control, coercion and abuse’.

25 Mar 2026 - 5:07PMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

North Korea’s Kim slams US ‘state terror’ but spares Trump in third-term address

Mindful of the fate of Iran and Venezuela’s leaders, Kim Jong-un used his speech to cast nuclear weapons as a non-negotiable shield.

24 Mar 2026 - 3:39PMvideocam

Kim Jong-un

North Korea reappoints Kim Jong-un as supreme leader

State media said the decision to re-elect Kim to the ‘top post’ reflected ‘the unanimous will and desire of all the Korean people’.

23 Mar 2026 - 5:20PMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) at the first session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sunday. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP

South Korea

South Korea’s cut-price interceptor outshines US Patriot in Iran war debut

The Cheongung-II hit 96 per cent of targets at a third of the cost of its US rival, triggering a scramble for the technology.

21 Mar 2026 - 11:01AM

A Cheongung-II surface-to-air missile is launched towards a simulated target during a drill in 2024. Photo: South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff

US, Israel war on Iran

US approves sale of Iranian oil at sea in move to ease crude supply crisis

The US says the move will bring 140 million barrels of oil to markets, even as Iran says it has no surplus crude to sell globally.

21 Mar 2026 - 8:55AM

Japan

Japan PM conveys to Trump her ‘strong intent’ to meet North Korea’s Kim

Takaichi said she has ‘received full support from the president towards an immediate solution’ to Pyongyang’s abductions of Japanese nationals.

20 Mar 2026 - 11:13AMvideocam

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North Korea

China-North Korea thaw gathers pace as Kim says ties have reached a new level

The North Korean leader met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Pyongyang on Friday as the two sides pledged further ‘practical cooperation’.

In South Korea, you can order online deliveries for almost anything – even drugs

‘No one loses’: why North Korea’s Kim may shake hands with Trump again

North Korea tests electromagnetic weapon and carbon fibre bomb: state media

Such weapons use electromagnetic energy rather than explosives to disrupt or damage targets, especially electronics infrastructure.

Wang Yi set to visit North Korea, first for China’s top envoy since 2019

Visit comes as Beijing and Pyongyang step up engagement, including high-level exchanges in recent months.

Madness or bluster? Trump’s apocalyptic language raises key questions

A last-minute ceasefire halts threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation, but fuels questions about Trump’s negotiating style and mental state.

North Korea launches fifth missile test after dousing South’s peace hopes

A top Pyongyang official says the designation of the South as a hostile state ‘can never change with any words or conduct’.

Hidden meaning behind North Korea’s warm response to South’s drone apology

While North Korea praised the South’s actions as a ‘wise move’, it continues to rebuff any attempts at reconciliation dialogues.

North Korean silence on Iran signals openness to US talks: Seoul’s spy agency

Pyongyang has not sent weapons and supplies to its long-time ally , nor has it issued messages to mark Iranian leadership changes.

‘Irresponsible and reckless’: South Korea’s Lee regrets drones sent to North

The South Korean president said an investigation revealed that government officials were involved in the incursion earlier this year.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | How America’s stumble in Iran upends East Asia’s security calculus

A region where US allies lose faith in Washington won’t necessarily embrace Beijing; it is a region more likely to reach for its own guns.

Cambodia’s scam industry exodus, Jollibee’s diaspora effect: 7 Asia highlights

From Cambodia’s scam industry exodus to Jollibee’s meaning to overseas Filipinos, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Kim attends special forces training

Kim inspects elite special forces unit stage combat drills.

Video | Air China resumes direct flights to Pyongyang

The route resumption is seen as a sign of warming economic ties between China and North Korea.

China steps up North Korea connections as regular Pyongyang flights resume

Air China flight arrives in North Korea days after passenger train services between the neighbours were restored.

My Take | Iran has shown the West’s containment of China is a fool’s errand

Countries across the world will be wise to hedge their bets with Beijing as the war exposes US security ‘guarantees’ as burdens and liabilities for allies.

Japan upgrades ship with Tomahawk missiles. Why it might pose a threat to China

Analysts say the move marks a fundamental shift in Tokyo’s defence strategy, forcing Beijing to stay on high alert.

North Korea tests powerful missile engine. Will an ICBM launch follow?

The engine may be used in the Hwasong-20, which analysts say is capable of hitting targets around the globe.

Trump’s Iran gamble falters as war drags on amid concerns of long-term chaos

With Iran emboldened despite US and Israeli strikes, analysts warn of the ‘permanent risk of repeated disruption’ for the global economy.

North Korea and Belarus sign friendship treaty on Lukashenko’s first visit

Kim Jong-un and Alexander Lukashenko formalise ties in Pyongyang, agree to cooperate in an array of fields.

‘Anyone from the North?’: US comedian Seth Herzog apologises over BTS joke

Herzog’s remarks sparked backlash from fans ahead of the K-pop band’s American TV comeback.

Kim welcomes Belarus’ Lukashenko to North Korea with a 21-gun salute

The two countries also signed a ‘friendship and cooperation’ treaty to deepen ties.

How North Korea makes US$500 million yearly – at its own people’s expense

The report details the ‘brutal’ conditions North Korean workers endure in Russia that reveal a pattern of ‘control, coercion and abuse’.

North Korea’s Kim slams US ‘state terror’ but spares Trump in third-term address

Mindful of the fate of Iran and Venezuela’s leaders, Kim Jong-un used his speech to cast nuclear weapons as a non-negotiable shield.

North Korea reappoints Kim Jong-un as supreme leader

State media said the decision to re-elect Kim to the ‘top post’ reflected ‘the unanimous will and desire of all the Korean people’.

South Korea’s cut-price interceptor outshines US Patriot in Iran war debut

The Cheongung-II hit 96 per cent of targets at a third of the cost of its US rival, triggering a scramble for the technology.

US approves sale of Iranian oil at sea in move to ease crude supply crisis

The US says the move will bring 140 million barrels of oil to markets, even as Iran says it has no surplus crude to sell globally.

Japan PM conveys to Trump her ‘strong intent’ to meet North Korea’s Kim

Takaichi said she has ‘received full support from the president towards an immediate solution’ to Pyongyang’s abductions of Japanese nationals.

Opinion | How America’s stumble in Iran upends East Asia’s security calculus

Video | Kim attends special forces training