Project

38 North

Cultivating informed public policy debate about North Korea

About Project

Stimson’s 38North.org is an online policy platform for policy and technical analysis on North Korea and the outsized impact it has on global security. It aims to facilitate an informed debate among experienced and emerging policy analysts and practitioners, especially those with hands-on experience, about North Korea’s internal and external affairs are evolving. It seems to generate innovative ideas and strategies for addressing this complex and growing security dilemma.

Research & Writing

Commentary

US President’s Overtures to Kim Jong Un Expectedly Fall Short

The U.S. president’s outreach to Kim was a commendable effort, but it is unsurprising he returned home without a meeting.
November 3, 2025

Commentary

A ‘Pragmatic’ Foreign Policy Agenda: What’s Next for South Korea’s New President?

How will new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung implement his ‘pragmatic’ foreign policy agenda?
June 13, 2025

Explainer

South Korea’s Evolving AI Regulations

South Korea has become the first nation to pass a comprehensive AI legal framework—how effective will it be?
June 12, 2025

Commentary

Despite Significant Geostrategic Challenges, President Lee Can Make Progress on Korean Peninsula Security

South Korea’s newly-elected President Lee Jae-myung will face many geostrategic challenges, including North Korea.
June 10, 2025

Report

Recalibrating US Strategy on North Korea

Joel Wit assesses the current status of US policy towards North Korea and how to move forward in an increasingly dangerous environment.
May 16, 2025

Commentary

Implications of South Korea’s Failed Impeachment Vote

Discussing the domestic and foreign policy implications of the failed vote to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol following his short-lived declaration of martial law
December 11, 2024

Policy Memo

Move Past the Nuclear Impasse on the Korean Peninsula

The Trump administration should define new goals for North Korea and manage the alliance with South Korea
November 20, 2024

Report

Deterring a Nuclear North Korea: What Does the Theory Tell Us?

Terence Roehrig and David C. Logan examine deterrence dynamics on the Korean Peninsula within the evolving security environment.
October 17, 2024

Report

Smartphones of North Korea 2024

In this new report, Martyn Williams examines smartphones, the smartphone market, and wireless networks in North Korea.
September 26, 2024

Commentary

Profile: New ROK Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun

Following his appointment as South Korea’s new defense minister, this profile provides an overview of Kim Yong-hyun’s background and key positions.
September 10, 2024

Commentary

Kaesong Industrial Complex: A Tortured History and Uncertain Future

Using GEOINT analysis, this article examines the uptick in activity at North Korea’s Kaesong Industrial Complex.
September 4, 2024

Commentary

Will South Korea’s Defense Industry Boom Change U.S.-ROK Military Relations?

South Korea’s defense industry growth signifies opportunities for increased security independence, but is unlikely to shake up the country’s military partnership with the US
August 19, 2024

Project Note

Meet the 2024-2025 Cohort for the 38 North Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program

38 North is excited to welcome our inaugural 2024-2025 cohort for our Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program. Read more about the fellows below
July 2, 2024

Commentary

Takeaways from the China-Japan-South Korea Trilateral Summit

Stimson experts weigh in on the recent China-Japan-South Korea Ninth Trilateral Summit and what it means for Northeast Asia.
May 31, 2024

Video

What We Learned Inside a North Korean Internet Server

38 North Senior Fellow Martyn Williams details how a North Korean Internet server’s contents and workflow underscore the growing challenge foreign companies face verifying outsourced work.
April 23, 2024

Project Note

Call for Applications: 38 North Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program

Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program for young professionals and scholars interested in North Korea
April 22, 2024

Feature

What We Learned Inside a North Korean Internet Server: How Well Do You Know Your Partners?

An inside look at the world of North Korean animation outsourcing and how foreign companies might be inadvertently employing North Korean companies.
April 22, 2024

Commentary

Beyond the Ballot: Analysis and Implications of the South Korean General Election in 2024

Following the South Korean general elections on April 10, James Kim evaluates the results and the outlook moving forward.
April 19, 2024

Policy Paper

Digital Surveillance in North Korea: Moving Toward a Panopticon State

Examining North Korea’s digital surveillance capabilities, how they have developed, and worrying trends for the future.
April 16, 2024

Commentary

South Korea’s 2024 Legislative Election Primer

This primer provides an overview of South Korea’s upcoming legislative elections, the key players involved and what’s at stake.
April 4, 2024

Commentary

Has Conflict on the Korean Peninsula Become Inevitable?

Relying on deterrence and reminding the North of the overwhelming power of the United States and its allies has not had the desired effect.
April 3, 2024

Commentary

Contemplating Possible Outcomes and Implications of the South Korean General Election

With the South Korea general election coming up on April 10, James Kim discusses the potential outcomes and their implications.
April 1, 2024

Commentary

War in Ukraine: Implications for North Korea

Amid deepening ties between Russia and North Korea, examining the implications of the Russia-Ukraine war on North Korea’s foreign policy.
February 22, 2024

Commentary

Should South Korea Enhance Its Role in the Eurasian Battlefield?

As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its third year, this piece explores South Korea’s approach to Ukraine and its options moving forward.
February 22, 2024

Commentary

North Korea’s Hwangju-Kindung Waterway Project

Using GEOINT analysis, this article shows the completion of North Korea’s Hwangju-Kindung Waterway, which was officially declared operational in December 2023.
February 15, 2024

Commentary

Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking

38 North’s report examines how North Korea’s economic policy decisions are made and rolled out under Kim Jong Un.
February 12, 2024

Resource

38 North 2023 End of Year Review

As 2023 comes to a close, this list highlights a few key issues and developments covered by 38 North.
December 20, 2023

Commentary

North Korea’s Energy Sector

38 North’s report examines North Korea’s current energy security challenges and explores potential clean energy and sustainability solutions.
December 14, 2023

Commentary

North Korea’s De-risking Strategy and Its Implications

Ruediger Frank explores how embassy closures tie into DPRK’s strategy shift from managing risks to avoiding them, and their implications
December 13, 2023

Commentary

Modest Beginnings: North Korea Launches Its First Reconnaissance Satellite

Following North Korea’s satellite launch on November 21, Vann Van Diepen discusses the reconnaissance satellite’s development and potential impacts.
November 28, 2023

Commentary

North Korea’s Covert Alliance With Iran Aligned Militias in the Middle East

Dr. Samuel Ramani examines North Korea’s support for militant non-state actors in the Middle East, including its links with Hamas.
October 24, 2023

Testimony

Senate Subcommittee Hearing: “Security on the Korean Peninsula”

Senior Fellow and 38 North Program Director Jenny Town called to testify before the Senate Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.
October 6, 2023

Commentary

North Korea’s Animal Protein Farming: Expansion Status and Challenges

With North Korean efforts to increase the availability of protein sources, this piece looks at the expansion status and challenges.
September 22, 2023

Commentary

Siegfried Hecker on the New Russia-DPRK Relationship and Nuclear Cooperation

Following Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia, Distinguished Fellow Joel Wit and Dr. Siegfried Hecker discuss changes in Russia-DPRK relations as their nuclear ties deepen.
September 21, 2023

Commentary

The Sleeper Has Awakened: Six Key Takeaways From the Rollout of North Korea’s “Tactical Nuclear Attack Submarine”

Vann Van Diepen reviews six key takeaways from North Korea’s rollout of the “tactical nuclear attack submarine” announced on September 8
September 11, 2023

Commentary

North Korea’s Energy Sector: Unrealized Wind and Tidal Power Potential

Despite North Korea’s potential in wind and tidal power development and generation, little notable progress has been made.
August 14, 2023

Report

Risk Reduction and Crisis Management on the Korean Peninsula

Mats Engman and Frida Lampinen highlight a risk management framework that reaches beyond traditional security measures on the Korean Peninsula.
July 27, 2023

Commentary

North Korea’s Energy Sector: Civilian Solar Power

DPRK defector interviews, state media and satellite imagery point to an uptick in personal solar installations as citizens adopt a “do-it-yourself” attitude.
May 12, 2023

Commentary

Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking: Key Findings & Implications

Researchers Robert Carlin and Rachel Minyoung Lee wrap up the “Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking” project by highlighting key findings and implications.
February 23, 2023

Commentary

Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking: Juche and Foreign Trade

Unpacking how North Korean economic journals use the topic of Juche (self-reliance) to build the case for broadening, rather than limiting, foreign trade.
February 16, 2023

Commentary

Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking: Foreign Trade Narrative

Examining North Korean internal discussions related to foreign trade and the sensitivities involved in trading with capitalist countries.
February 6, 2023

Commentary

North Korea’s Tourism Industry: A Grand Initiative in Limbo

As North Korea begins to loosen its pandemic restrictions, assessing the current status of major tourism projects may provide some indication of its near-term expectations for resuming tourism.
January 25, 2023

Commentary

Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking: Rolling Out Economic Development Zones

Our study on North Korea’s economic policymaking continues, with an examination of the internal push and pull of embracing economic development zones (EDZs).
December 21, 2022

Resource

DPRK Economic Journals

Nonresident Fellow Rachel Minyoung Lee has translated articles from key economic journals, informing research conducted by Ms. Lee and Nonresident Fellow Robert Carlin.
December 20, 2022

Commentary

Twenty Years of Mobile Communications in North Korea

Assessing the status and role of cellphones and communication in North Korea since this technology was introduced.
November 15, 2022

Policy Paper

US-ROK Strategic Dialogue: Recalibrating Deterrence Against An Evolving DPRK Nuclear Threat

As North Korea’s WMD capabilities evolve, the US and South Korea must adapt their extended deterrence arrangement.
September 20, 2022

Commentary

North Korea’s Komdok Mining Region: Empty Promises?

Without substantive investments, such as developing better transport networks or improving energy provision, North Korea’s Komdok mining region will remain underperforming.
August 17, 2022

Commentary

Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking: Tourism as an Industry

The second year of our Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking project continues with a focus on North Korea’s tourism industry.
July 26, 2022

Policy Paper

No More Delays: Why It’s Time to Move Forward With Wartime OPCON Transition

The history and evolution of the US-ROK military command architecture reveal the inherent push and pull at the heart of the alliance.
June 21, 2022

Policy Paper

What’s in a Tripwire: The Post-Cold War Transformation of the US Military Presence in Korea

Though the Biden and Yoon administrations have signaled continued support for US-ROK relations, the fitful evolution of the U.S. force presence highlights concerns regarding a lack of cohesion within the alliance.
June 9, 2022

Sub-Projects

North Korea’s Economy: A Glimpse Through Imagery
DPRK Digital Atlas

Events

Past Events

Countering AI Disinformation: Implications for the US-ROK Alliance

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the information space, reshaping how fabricated content is created and spread. While large language models (LLMs), image generators, and GPTs can unlock creativity and accelerate work processes,…

  • March 13, 2026
  • 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (US Eastern)
  • Online Only

Past Events

New Frontiers for North Korean Surveillance and Repression

Since 2020, North Koreans at home and abroad have experienced unprecedented isolation, control, and surveillance. As the country launches an ambitious new five-year plan to modernize the economy, the government is doubling down…

  • April 18, 2026
  • 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (US Eastern)
  • Online or In-Person

Past Events

How America Failed to Disarm North Korea: Implications for the Future

Largely based on almost 300 interviews with former US, South Korean and Chinese officials as well as his own experiences, Joel Wit’s new book, Fallout: The Inside Story of America’s Failure to Disarm…

  • October 28, 2025
  • 10:00 - 11:00 AM (US Eastern)
  • Online or In-Person

Past Events

Investing in the North Korean People: Broadening Access to Information in North Korea

The event will discuss the current status of information access and freedom in North Korea, first-hand accounts of effective models for information dissemination, and challenges faced by the sector. Speakers will also explore…

  • October 8, 2025
  • 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET (US Eastern)
  • Online or In-Person
Load More
Load More

North Korea is often misunderstood, even as the challenges it poses to international peace and security take on enormous geopolitical importance. Understanding its self-perception and motivations is critical if policymakers are to craft effective strategies and policies and avoid the high costs of miscalculation. 38 North emphasizes hands-on experience and expertise with the authoritative 38North.org publication, in-depth research on issues central North Korean strategic thinking, and informal diplomatic engagement.


WEBSITE

38North.org
Information and analysis about North Korean internal and external affairs for policymakers and the general public.
Related Projects

Analysis