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North Korea

The leader of the world's most isolated country Kim Jong Un has flouted international sanctions to develop North Korea's weapons program -- viewed as a direct threat to neighboring South Korea and Japan. Kim, a dictator who inherited power from his father in 2011, has also pledged to strengthen the country's nuclear arsenal, despite signals earlier in his reign he would support denuclearization. View the latest North Korea news and videos.

Latest news

  • A copy of Japan's latest defence white paper with an anime-style cover in Tokyo, Japan, August 4, 2026.
    Tim Kelly/Reuters
    Japan outlines its military build-up plan, citing threats from China, Russia and North Korea
  • This undated photograph shows American seismologist Dr. Youlin Chen.
    Chen family/Handout/Global Reach
    US expert on underground nuclear tests detained in China for 18 months
  • Smoke rises from explosions at an unknown location, following what US Central Command (CENTCOM) said were strikes on Iranian military targets, in this screen grab from a video released on July 8, 2026.
    U.S. Central Command/Reuters
    Iran war heats up while US weapon stocks remain depleted, risking military’s ability to fight future wars
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the commissioning of the country's first 5,000-ton naval destroyer, the Choe Hyon, on Tuesday, after the vessel underwent 14 months of operations, North Korean state-run media outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday.

Kim attended the commissioning ceremony, but his daughter, believed to be named Ju Ae, who has previously attended military and political events with her father, does not appear to have participated in this event, based on photos released by KCNA. The commissioning ceremony took place at Nampho Port on June 23, KCNA reported.
    KCNA
    North Korea jump-starts naval buildup by commissioning its largest-ever warship
  • Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attends his criminal trial on insurrection charges at a courtroom of the Seoul Central District Court on April 21, 2025.
    Jung Yeon-Je/Pool/Getty Images
    Ex-South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to 30 years in jail over Pyongyang drone plot
  • A large screen in Beijing shows Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un shaking hands in Pyongyang on June 8.
    Kyodo News/Getty Images
    Why China’s Xi wants a ‘brighter’ future with North Korea
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  • These North Korean brothers spent 10 years planning their escape. Months after reaching freedom, everything changed
  • Two Americans sentenced to prison for North Korean tech worker scheme
  • North Korea says its latest tests included missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads
  • North Korean hackers bug software used by thousands of US companies in potential crypto heist attempt
  • Kim Jong Un uses Iran war to justify North Korea’s decision to keep its nuclear weapons
  • After Iran and Venezuela, Kim Jong Un must decide how to handle Trump
  • Radar bases housing key US missile interceptor hit in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, satellite images show
  • With sniper rifle photos, Kim Jong Un intensifies spotlight on his daughter, a potential successor
  • Kim Jong Un vows to strengthen nuclear program, watches military parade with daughter
  • North Korea shows Kim Jong Un at the wheel of a mobile rocket launcher

Latest Videos

  • 120444_DPRKHeatBeachBusy-huk-digvid-hori-clean-thumbnail.jpg
    • Video 1:49
    Video 1:49
    Korean Central TV
    Video North Korea promotes beach resort amid deadly heat wave 1:49
  • CNN aircheck Will Ripley reporting.jpg
    • Video 3:27
    Video 3:27
    CNN
    Video Ukraine President Zelensky: Putin on verge of getting 30K North Korean Troops 3:27
  • still_22753385_3108528.241_thumb.jpg
    • Video 3:27
    Video 3:27
    CNN
    Video North Korea commissions its largest ever war ship 3:27
  • <p>In a rare breakthrough after years of frozen relations, North Korea’s women’s soccer team has arrived in South Korea for the first time in over seven years. The 39 players, hailed as national heroes by Kim Jong Un and under tight supervision, landed at Incheon Airport Sunday and will face Suwon FC Women in a high-stakes Asian Club Cup semifinal. With no direct talks between the two governments, the visit raises hopes that football and joint cheer squads can spark a rare moment of goodwill. CNN's Will Ripley reports. </p>
    • Video 3:06
    Video 3:06
    Clipped From Video
    Video North Korean women’s soccer team arrives in South Korea for the first time in over 7 years 3:06
  • thumbnail npw russian ship nuclear 1.jpg
    • Video 7:29
    Video 7:29
    Telegram
    Video A Russian ship carrying nuclear reactors sank. Where was it headed? 7:29
  • NK 16x9 1.jpg
    • Video 0:49
    Video 0:49
    CNN
    Video Kim Jong Un memorializes troops killed fighting for Russia 0:49
  • 118877_NorthKoreaNuclearProgram_Horizontal_Clean_Thumb.jpg
    • Video 0:46
    Video 0:46
    Korean Central TV
    Video Watchdog warns of rapid North Korea nuclear expansion 0:46
  • rutte.jpg
    • Video 10:36
    Video 10:36
    MS
    Video NATO Chief on Trump meeting: Trump ‘clearly disappointed’ with allies 10:36

Politics

Show all

  • PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - JANUARY 3: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (L), and CIA Director John Ratcliffe monitor U.S. military operations in Venezuela, from Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club on January 3, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores were brought to New York on Saturday after being captured by the U.S. military in Caracas. They are expected to face federal charges related to drug trafficking and working with gangs designated as terrorist organizations. (Photo by Molly Riley/The White House via Getty Images)
    • Video 1:29
    Video 1:29
    Handout/Getty Images North America/White House via Getty Images
    Video Inside Trump’s makeshift situation room at Mar-a-Lago during Maduro’s capture 1:29
  • A North Korean flag flies over its embassy in Moscow on October 31, 2024.
    Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images/File
    North Korean operatives running fake job portal targeting US AI firms
  • FILE - A sub-surface atomic test is shown March 23, 1955 at the Nevada Test Site near Yucca Flats, Nev. (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission via AP, File)
    US Atomic Energy Commission/AP
    Why is there so much talk about nuclear weapons this week?
  • US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he walks to Marine One in Washington, DC, October 24.
    Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
    Trump instructs Pentagon to start testing nuclear weapons ‘on an equal basis’ with Russia and China
  • US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea on October 29, 2025.
    • Video 3:46
    Video 3:46
    Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
    Video Trump set to meet South Korean President Lee on Asia tour 3:46

Style

Show all

  • 20260120-north-korean-film-final-IN-STORY.jpg
    Photo Illustration by Jason Lancaster/CNN/Getty Images/Film stills via Korean Central TV
    Sex, death and betrayal: This North Korean movie shows things audiences have never seen before
  • This picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency shows Hwasong, the new high-rise neighborhood being constructed in Pyongyang, North Korea.
    KCNA
    North Korea unveils new 10,000-home showpiece residential district
  • A 3D visualization of the Hwasong development shows a tall skyscraper on the left, with other towers lining a wide street.
    EyePress News/Shutterstock
    North Korea breaks ground on 10,000-home residential project in major housing drive
  • Hyun Mi experiences her hometown in North Korea through VR in September, 2020.
    Courtesy Ministry of Unification
    This woman left North Korea 70 years ago. Now virtual reality has helped her return
  • north korea virtual reality intl hnk_00015616.png
    • Video 2:40
    Video 2:40
    Ministry of Unification
    Video This woman left North Korea 70 years ago. Now virtual reality has helped her return 2:40

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