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.
The fourth installment of this series addresses the internal discourse behind changing North Korea’s economic management system
February 16, 2022
As the third project in our series on understanding Kim Jong Un’s economic policymaking, we examined how North Korean academic journals treat the concept of banking
December 22, 2021
As Biden looks to expand the Quad, the strategic interests of additional members—notably South Korea’s—present challenges
October 4, 2021
As South Korea admits Afghans as “special contributors,” the country remains divided over refugees.
October 2, 2021
There has long been a tug-of-war in the North Korean leadership over military versus civilian spending
September 22, 2021
A project that reviews the dynamics of North Korea’s economic policymaking under Kim Jong Un, from when he assumed power in December 2011 until 2020
May 28, 2021
Press declarations of North Korea’s cement-related modernization efforts and successes often do not match observable markers of modernization or success on imagery
May 14, 2021
Beijing’s choice for special representative shows trust in a veteran diplomat with rich experience in Pyongyang and potential diplomatic openings on the horizon
April 22, 2021
