38 North

38 North is an online platform that focuses on providing insights and analysis regarding North Korea. Its name is derived from the 38th parallel north, a line that runs through the Korean peninsula and historically separated North and South Korea before the Korean War. Originally part of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, the site is now operated by the Stimson Center. It is overseen by Joel S. Wit, a former official from the U.S. Department of State, along with Managing Editor Jenny Town. The platform features contributions from several notable experts, including nuclear scientist Sigfried Hecker, Jean H. Lee, who was the former Associated Press Bureau Chief in Pyongyang, cybersecurity specialist James Andrew Lewis, and Martyn Williams, the founder of North Korea Tech.

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Quick Take: Damaged North Korean Destroyer Could Be Ready for Ceremonial Relaunch

2 weeks ago | 38north.org | Iliana Ragnone |Martyn Williams

Satellite Imagery North Korea appears to be preparing to relaunch the Choe Hyun-class naval destroyer that failed to launch at Chongjin Port on May 21 and has since been moved to the Rajin Shipyard for repairs. Commercial satellite imagery from June 12 shows that while the ship remains in Rajin’s drydock, the caisson gates have been opened and a number of structures consistent with previous launch ceremonies have appeared nearby.
North Korea's Health App Offers Medicines on Demand

2 weeks ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams

This article has also been posted to NKTechLab.org, a new center for investigation and analysis into how North Korea uses technology to serve and suppress its citizens. North Korea’s Ministry of Health has launched an online drug and medical product delivery service based in a smartphone app. The app is called “건강” (Health) and also allows patients to consult medical practitioners without going to a hospital and consult a database of common medical questions and answers.
20x10 Factories: Different Locations, Similar Products - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea

3 weeks ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams |Iliana Ragnone

Economy, Satellite Imagery The first factories built under North Korea’s 20×10 plan for regional industry are spread across the country, but their production is not nearly so varied. In each of the 20 locations chosen for the new clusters in 2024, factories were built to produce similar products: food, clothing and household goods.
Quick Take: North Korean Warship Has Finally Launched

3 weeks ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams |Peter Makowsky |Iliana Ragnone

North Korea’s capsized second Choe Hyun Class destroyer was finally launched on Thursday after it was returned to an upright position earlier this week. Commercial satellite imagery from June 5 shows the vessel floating in the harbor at Chongjin Port. The ship was launched Thursday afternoon. An image taken at 11:32 AM KST shows the ship upright with its bow still stationed on the quay. A subsequent image taken just after 3 PM KST shows the ship floating in the harbor.
Quick Take: Chongjin's Sunam Market Suffered Collapsed Roof Under Heavy Snow

3 weeks ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams

Way before the launch of North Korea’s newest warship went spectacularly wrong at the Chongjin Port, the city suffered another calamity. In late January 2025, heavy snowfall in and around Chongjin caused major damage to the roof of the city’s main marketplace. The incident was never reported by state media, but was spotted during a satellite imagery review this week.
Quick Take: Chongjin Destroyer Returned Upright

3 weeks ago | 38north.org | Iliana Ragnone |Martyn Williams |Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu

Military Affairs, Satellite Imagery Kim Jong Un’s instructions to restore its capsized Choe Hyun Class destroyer before the end of June have been met with skepticism. Commercial satellite imagery shows workers at the port in Chongjin have taken a significant step towards that goal. Imagery from June 2 shows the warship in the upright position for the first time since the accident on May 21.
Preparatory Work on Road to New Russia-North Korea Bridge Underway

3 weeks ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams |Peter Makowsky

Commercial satellite imagery indicates work on the first road bridge between North Korea and Russia is rapidly progressing. On the North Korean side of the crossing, preparations for the abutments, the road sections immediately on either side of a bridge, are underway. So far, seven footings for the west-side abutment have been installed. Similar work has not yet started on the Russian side abutments, but work to grade the road leading to the bridge crossing point has started.
North Korea Revised its Space Law to Permit Military Use

3 weeks ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams

North Korea revised its Space Development Law (우주개발법) in 2022 to allow for use of space for national defense purposes. Specifically, it removed sentences that previously committed to only peaceful uses of space and opposed the militarization of space and now threatens countermeasures on countries that attempt “unfriendly acts” on its space program. It expands the scope of international cooperation and codifies that space scientists receive preferential treatment for housing.
Quick Take: Final Touches at Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort Before Opening

1 month ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams |Iliana Ragnone

Satellite Imagery Commercial satellite imagery indicates final preparations appear to be underway at the Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort ahead of an anticipated opening event that will likely be attended by Kim Jong Un. Construction has ceased ahead of the end of May deadline set by Kim in July last year and seating areas are being set up on the beach.
Quick Take: Second New Naval Vessel Close to Launch

1 month ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams |Peter Makowsky

Satellite Imagery North Korea is preparing to launch its second new naval destroyer, nearly three weeks after the Choe Hyon Class destroyer was launched at Nampho Shipyard in late April. Commercial satellite imagery of the Chongjin Shipyard indicates the vessel, appearing to also be a Choe Hyon Class destroyer, began to be moved along the quay from a construction position on May 14, and parked in a launching position on May 15.