North Korean Review Journal

29/10/2025

Byun Sung-Hyun's new film 'Good News' reimagines the 1970 "Yodo-go" hijacking with a dark comedic twist.
In 1970, members of the Red Army Faction of the Japan Communist League hijacked a domestic Japan Airlines flight and demanded the plane be diverted to Pyongyang, North Korea.

Discover the true story of the 1970 "Yodo-go" hijacking that inspired the latest Korean Netflix dark comedy movie, Good News.

20/10/2025

North Korean soldier taken into custody after crossing the heavily fortified DMZ border into South Korea.

Tens of thousands of North Koreans have fled to South Korea since the 1950-53 war ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

13/10/2025

During its 10.10 military parade, the DPRK showcased its advanced Hwasong-20 ICBM, characterised by the KCNA as the nation’s “strongest nuclear strategic weapon system”.
The Friday night parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Worker’s Party of Korea was attended by high ranking Russian, Chinese and Vietnamese dignitaries.

Kim Jong Un highlights nation's military power with the debut of its strongest nuclear missile at a grand parade.

08/10/2025

NK News will livestream the official broadcast of the DPRK’s October 10 military parade, with expert analysis.
RSVP required for full access.

What North Korea shows — and what it hides — both matter.

NK PRO’s analysts will be watching the 10.10 military parade live, breaking down new weapons, leadership cues, and what they reveal about internal priorities and external messaging.

OPEN to ALL including non-members this time.

RSVP to get access: https://cstu.io/4e32a3

08/10/2025

The DPRK prepares for the large-scale military parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Korea Worker’s Party on October 10.

Kim Jong Un says Pyongyang will counter the buildup of US forces in the Korean Peninsula.

30/09/2025

South Korea reaffirms ‘consistent’ commitment to denuclearising the Korean Peninsula. This after Pyongyang officials reaffirm that the DPRK will never denuclearise ‘under any circumstances’.

South Korea on Tuesday reaffirmed its "consistent" goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula after a senior North Korean diplomat vowed to never...

24/09/2025

The North Korean Review now accepts submissions on a rolling basis year-round. Authors wishing to be considered for the Spring 2026 issue should submit their manuscripts by December 1st, 2025, for full consideration.
More details on the style guide are available on the NKR website.

21/09/2025

South Korea's unification ministry considers changing the South Korean term referring to North Korean defectors with the term "bukhyangmin" believed to be the most favoured among North Korean defectors.

The unification ministry said Tuesday it is considering changing the South Korean term of North Korean defectors, noting the word highlighting their escape from

19/09/2025

📩 Our September Newsletter is live!

This month's newsletter highlights new blog posts by the YINKS researchers and our NKR interns, and provides information on our call for papers, book reviews and blog articles.
To receive future newsletters, subscribe to our mailing list at https://www.northkoreanreview.net/

September 19th, 2025

19/09/2025

📘 New on the NKR Blog:
"Connecting the End of the War in Afghanistan and the Situation on the Korean Peninsula"

In this thought-provoking issue brief, Yonsei University Research fellow Bong Young Sik delves into the ripple effects of U.S. foreign policy and explores how America's withdrawal from Afghanistan could reshape its global commitments, especially its alliances in East Asia.
[Translated from Korean by former NKR intern Samuel Dodge.]

🔗 Read the full piece on the NKR blog!

YIKUS Issue Brief No. 150Bong Young Sik (Research Fellow, Institute for Unification Studies, Yonsei University)At 11:59 p.m. local time on August 30, 2021, the last U.S. C-17 transport aircraft departed from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. With this, the United States offic...

15/08/2025

📣 North Korean Review Internship Opportunity 📣

North Korean Review is recruiting interns for the Fall 2025 Semester. NKR is the only English-language journal dedicated exclusively to North Korea policy-related research. We are seeking motivated and independent students who have a strong interest in North Korean studies. This unpaid position is open to any major, but preference will be given to economics, history, or political science majors.

Applicants should possess a fluent command of English and be able to proofread academic research documents in English. Other duties will include blog/SNS presence maintenance, writing/translation of blog entries, and conference planning and staffing. Much of the work may be done remotely, so NKR requires applicants to be capable of meeting regularly via Zoom to update progress during the semester and work independently while effectively coordinating with the managing editor and fellow interns.

🔹Location: Zoom meetings and remote work from home
🔹Duties: Proofreading, research, report writing, emailing, blog/website updates, event planning & staffing, administrative work
🔹Period: Ongoing from Fall 2025 Semester
🔹Hours: Schedule flexible in accordance with interns' availability, but interns will be expected to meet on a regular basis
🔹Website: http://www.northkoreanreview.net/
🔹How to Apply: Applicants should send their English resume and cover letter in MS Word format by August 25th to [email protected]

The online presence for North Korean Review. The only English language journal devoted wholly to the study of North Korea. Covers economic/political arenas.

28/05/2025

"Australia and China in the Age of US-China Hegemonic Competition"

In this article, Jae-Deok Choi challenges the notion that middle powers like Australia are mere pawns in great power contests. Choi provides a sharp and critical analysis of alliance politics, middle power diplomacy, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

🔍 Read the full article on our blog!
https://www.northkoreanreview.net/single-post/no-148-jae-deok-choi-research-fellow-australia-and-china-in-the-age-of-us-china-hegemonic-com

YIKUS Issue Brief No. 148Choi Jae Deok (Senior Researcher, Institute for Unification Studies, Yonsei University / Director,Institute for Korea-China Political and Diplomatic Studies, Wonkwang University)Australia has taken the lead in the second act of the US-China hegemony competition that began wi...