38 North, founded in 2010, is a research program focused on North Korea that investigates how internal and external dynamics are influencing the country’s strategic calculus and shaping the security environment around it, to inform new strategies for addressing this complex geopolitical challenge.
Our work incorporates open-source research, strategic dialogues, network building, and comparative studies to enhance understanding of one of the most difficult intelligence targets. These insights are essential to crafting more effective policies and approaches toward North Korea to help prevent conflict within an economically and politically critical, nuclear-armed region.
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
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
Examining North Korean internal discussions related to foreign trade and the sensitivities involved in trading with capitalist countries
February 6, 2023
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
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
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
Assessing the status and role of cellphones and communication in North Korea since this technology was introduced.
November 15, 2022
As North Korea's WMD capabilities evolve, the US and South Korea must adapt their extended deterrence arrangement.
September 20, 2022
