You are here
North Korea
In-depth analysis and commentary on North Korea from RUSI publications and experts.
For media inquiries, please call +44 20 7747 2618 or email smueen@rusi.org
RUSI RESEARCH PROGRAMMES ANALYSING NORTH KOREA
North Korea's Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
China and Region: International Security Studies
Sanctions: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies
KEY RUSI PUBLICATIONS
Sanctions
A House Without Foundations: The North Korea Sanctions Regime and its ImplementationTarget Markets: North Korea’s Military Customers in the Sanctions Era
Options for UK
Why the UK Needs to be Thinking Now about a Possible Korean War
""Cryptocurrency exploitation is allowing North Korea to transact with the rest of the world in ways that aim to circumvent sanctions designed to curb its proliferation financing," Kayla Izenman, a research analyst who co-authored a paper on the phenomenon, told The Independent last year. "
North Korean Hackers Use Telegram to Steal Cryptocurrency
In The News, 10 January 2020 Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, AML/CTF, North Korea, Pacific
Project Sandstone Report 5: Kaohsiung Cowboys: The Taiwanese Network Facilitating North Korea’s Illicit Activities
Other Publications, 12 December 2019
James Byrne, Joe Byrne, Hamish Macdonald and Gary Somerville
This report provides a network analysis of North Korea's oil smuggling networks.
Tags: Project Sandstone, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues
Human Rights and Denuclearisation in North Korea: Two Sides of the Same Coin
RUSI Newsbrief, 18 October 2019
Cristina Varriale
If long-term peace is to be achieved and denuclearisation completed, addressing North Korea’s human rights situation must become part of the process. Without this, it will be impossible to remove all sources of perceived hostility and North Korea’s nuclear weapons.
Tags: North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Denuclearising North Korea Through a Broader Security Framework
Commentary, 4 October 2019
Cristina Varriale
The resumption of the US–North Korea denuclearisation talks at a ‘working level’ is to be welcomed. But a broader security engagement is urgently needed.
Tags: United States, US Defence Policy, North Korea, Defence Management, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Project Sandstone Report 4: Down and Out in Pyongyang and London
Other Publications, 26 September 2019
James Byrne, Joe Byrne, Hamish Macdonald and Gary Somerville
This report examines the role that UK companies have in North Korean efforts to evade international sanctions.
Tags: Project Sandstone, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Project Sandstone 3: On the Trail of the Tae Yang: AIS Spoofing and North Korean Coal Smuggling
Other Publications, 26 June 2019
Catherine Dill, Cameron Trainer, Joseph Byrne, Gary Somerville and James Byrne
This report examines how the Tae Yang has used sophisticated measures to avoid being tracked, possibly to conduct activities that contravene UN sanctions.
Tags: Project Sandstone, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear PolicyPages
Denuclearising North Korea Through a Broader Security Framework
Commentary, 4 October 2019Cristina Varriale
The resumption of the US–North Korea denuclearisation talks at a ‘working level’ is to be welcomed. But a broader security engagement is urgently needed.
United States, US Defence Policy, North Korea, Defence Management, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
The Financing of North Korea’s Nuclear Ambition Remains Alive and Well
Commentary, 29 April 2019Tom Keatinge
A lack of awareness-raising by governments and misinterpretation by the private sector mean efforts to restrict North Korea’s finances are failing.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
Avoiding a Costly Deal with Moscow in Pyongyang
Commentary, 26 March 2019Darya Dolzikova
Russia is strengthening its links with North Korea in order to position itself as an indispensable interlocutor between Washington and Pyongyang. But the cost Russia could demand for regional cooperation may prove prohibitive for the US.
United States, North Korea, Russia, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Sizing Up Sanctions in the Second Trump–Kim Jong-un Summit
Commentary, 26 February 2019Emil Dall
Can the US offer enough financial incentives to North Korea in exchange for denuclearisation, without discrediting the current sanctions regime? A way around the dilemma may exist. As President Donald Trump meets his North Korean counterpart, the role of sanctions in the negotiations warrant further discussion.
North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Sanctions, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
Delicate Footwork: Security and Diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula
Commentary, 17 December 2018Cristina Varriale
The suspension of US–South Korean military exercises is a vital step in the broader effort to build confidence on the Korean peninsula.
Armed Forces, United States, North Korea, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Global Strategy and Commitments, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Defence Policy, Asia, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, PacificPages
The North Korean Nuclear Summit
Multimedia, 9 March 2018Tom Plant, Director, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy programme at RUSI on the proposed nuclear summit between North Korea and the US
Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
President Trump's Nuclear Button Tweet
Multimedia, 3 January 2018 Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
Dealing with the Latest North Korea Missile Threat
Multimedia, 11 August 2017Following a war of words between US President Donald Trump and the Pyongyang regime, are we at risk of escalation? RUSI experts Tom Plant, Cristina Varriale and Emil Dall discuss.
Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Cristina Varriale on the North Korea Missile Tests
Multimedia, 6 July 2017Watch Cristina Varriale, a research analyst at RUSI's Nuclear and Proliferation programme discuss North Korea's latest missile test on BBC World News.
Tags: North Korea, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
The New South Korean President
Multimedia, 12 May 2017On 9 May 2017, South Korea voters elected Moon Jae-in as president. RUSI research analyst Cristina Varriale assesses the policies of the new leader and what this means for relations with North Korea.
Tags: North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, PacificPages
Project Sandstone Report 5: Kaohsiung Cowboys: The Taiwanese Network Facilitating North Korea’s Illicit Activities
Other Publications, 12 December 2019James Byrne, Joe Byrne, Hamish Macdonald and Gary Somerville
This report provides a network analysis of North Korea's oil smuggling networks.
Project Sandstone, North Korea, Other Publications, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues
Human Rights and Denuclearisation in North Korea: Two Sides of the Same Coin
RUSI Newsbrief, 18 October 2019Cristina Varriale
If long-term peace is to be achieved and denuclearisation completed, addressing North Korea’s human rights situation must become part of the process. Without this, it will be impossible to remove all...
RUSI Newsbrief, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Project Sandstone Report 4: Down and Out in Pyongyang and London
Other Publications, 26 September 2019James Byrne, Joe Byrne, Hamish Macdonald and Gary Somerville
This report examines the role that UK companies have in North Korean efforts to evade international sanctions.
Project Sandstone, North Korea, Other Publications, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Project Sandstone 3: On the Trail of the Tae Yang: AIS Spoofing and North Korean Coal Smuggling
Other Publications, 26 June 2019Catherine Dill, Cameron Trainer, Joseph Byrne, Gary Somerville and James Byrne
This report examines how the Tae Yang has used sophisticated measures to avoid being tracked, possibly to conduct activities that contravene UN sanctions.
Project Sandstone, North Korea, Other Publications, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
The Future Conflict Operating Environment Out to 2030
Occasional Papers, 3 June 2019Peter Roberts (Editor)
This Occasional Paper presents a collection of essays about contemporary trends in war and warfare, and how they will shape the actions of belligerents in future conflicts.
Aerospace, China, Iran, Occasional Papers, North Korea, Russia, Military Sciences, Technology, TerrorismPages
Project Sandstone: On the Trail of the Tae Yang - AIS Spoofing and North Korean Coal Smuggling
Events, 1 August 2019At this event Project Sandstone will present their discovery of the evolving DPRK sanction evasion techniques taken from its latest research paper, 'On the Trail of the Tae Yang'.
Project Sandstone, North Korea
Countering the Financing of North Korea’s WMD Programme: from Sanctions to Crypto
Events, 22 May 2019This RUSI Under 35’s Forum event will explore the financing of North Korean Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme, and how new technology including cybercrime and cryptocurrencies to avoid detection...
North Korea
UK PONI Roundtable: Denuclearising North Korea
Events, 31 October 2018This roundtable will discuss the current efforts of engagement to reduce and remove North Korea’s nuclear weapons, responses from regional governments and the future of diplomacy.
North Korea, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Preparing for a Second Korean War: RUSI Whitehall Report Launch
Events, 28 September 2017RUSI launched a new report that examines the potential for a second Korean War and the options for the UK to respond to what would be one of the most momentous strategic shocks of the post-Cold War...
North Korea, UK
Professor Liu Ming on Security Challenges of the Korean Peninsula
Events, 20 March 2017Professor Liu Ming will examine what precisely North Korea’s objectives are for its nuclear programme and the options available to the Trump Administration in response.
North Korea, International Security StudiesPages
""Cryptocurrency exploitation is allowing North Korea to transact with the rest of the world in ways that aim to circumvent sanctions designed to curb its proliferation financing," Kayla Izenman, a research analyst who co-authored a paper on the phenomenon, told The Independent last year."
North Korean Hackers Use Telegram to Steal Cryptocurrency
In The News, 10 January 2020 Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, AML/CTF, North Korea, Pacific
""There are a number of reasons for the trip, and one of them is to show the U.S. that they are not the only game in town," according to Tom Plant at the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank. "The U.S. will clearly be watching very closely for any outcomes.""
What's really behind Putin's meeting with Kim Jong Un?
In The News, 25 April 2019 Tags: North Korea, Russia
""Given the large amounts of cryptocurrency we're looking at from these exchange hacks and the possibility of more coming from mining operations, it is reasonable to assume that the money may be directly financing North Korea's WMD program," Ms Izenman told The Independent."
North Korea Using Cryptocurrency To Fund Nuclear Weapons Development, Report Warns
In The News, 23 April 2019 Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, North Korea
""I think Kim is messaging to the local population that despite everything that's been happening, or not happening, between him and Trump, that he still stands strong on the defence of the country, on the support of the military, the armed forces. "
North Korea Makes Nuclear Talks Demand After 'Tactical Guided Weapon' Test
In The News, 18 April 2019 Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
"This form of money, such as Bitcoin, probably only plays a peripheral role in Pyongyang's fundraising and sanctions-evasion efforts at present, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) paper said. "
North Korea 'increasingly' using cryptocurrency to evade sanctions
In The News, 16 April 2019 Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, North Korea
Soleimani’s Killing: The Regional Ripple Effects are Yet to Come
Episode 09: New Year, New Challenges
Taiwan Elections: Reactions to the DPP’s Win