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North Korea
In-depth analysis and commentary on North Korea from RUSI publications and experts.
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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
Rickety Anchor: North Korea Calls its Illicit Shipping Fleet Home amid Coronavirus Fears
Commentary, 26 March 2020
Project Sandstone
North Korea appears to have ordered a significant portion of its shipping fleet to return home in what is likely a reaction to the global outbreak of the coronavirus, new analysis by Project Sandstone can reveal.
Tags: Project Sandstone, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
"According to a satellite-image analysis published Thursday by the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based research organization, and a review of additional satellite imagery by The New York Times, many North Korean commercial vessels that once carried sanctioned material to and from China — or transferred them illicitly ship-to-ship at sea — are now idled in their home ports. "
Coronavirus is Idling North Korea's Ships, Achieving What Sanctions Could Not
In The News, 26 March 2020 Tags: Project Sandstone, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Project Sandstone Report 6: The Phantom Fleet: North Korea’s Smugglers in Chinese Waters
Other Publications, 5 March 2020
James Byrne, Joe Byrne, Gary Somerville and Hamish Macdonald
A large fleet of North Korean cargo ships continues to deliver coal to China in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions, in what appears to be a large-scale, coordinated effort to evade sanctions imposed on the country over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.
Tags: Project Sandstone, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
What North Korea Is not Telling Us about Denuclearisation in 2020
Commentary, 2 March 2020
Cristina Varriale
A new rallying cry to ‘achieve a breakthrough’ has been launched by the North Korean leader. But what this actually means is, probably deliberately, obfuscated.
Tags: North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
Crypto in the Hermit Kingdom: Understanding the Objectives of the Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference
Commentary, 28 February 2020
Kayla Izenman and Katherine Norton-Williams
The coronavirus outbreak may have averted or postponed North Korea’s aim of hosting a curious gathering of blockchain and cryptocurrency experts. Potential participants should resist the temptation to attend this event, should Pyongyang seek to reinstate it in the future.
Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Cyber, North Korea, Technology
"“I don’t think he was sharing any shocking insights,” says Kayla Izenman, a research analyst at the Royal United Services Institute in London. “It’s pretty obvious that North Korea knows what they’re doing with cryptocurrency.”
According to Izenman’s own research at RUSI’s Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, North Korea has successfully used cryptocurrencies as a revenue stream and money laundering tool since at least 2017. "
What North Korea Really Wants From Its Blockchain Conference
In The News, 13 February 2020 Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Cyber, AML/CTF, North Korea, Technology, PacificPages
Rickety Anchor: North Korea Calls its Illicit Shipping Fleet Home amid Coronavirus Fears
Commentary, 26 March 2020Project Sandstone
North Korea appears to have ordered a significant portion of its shipping fleet to return home in what is likely a reaction to the global outbreak of the coronavirus, new analysis by Project Sandstone can reveal.
Project Sandstone, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
What North Korea Is not Telling Us about Denuclearisation in 2020
Commentary, 2 March 2020Cristina Varriale
A new rallying cry to ‘achieve a breakthrough’ has been launched by the North Korean leader. But what this actually means is, probably deliberately, obfuscated.
North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
Crypto in the Hermit Kingdom: Understanding the Objectives of the Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference
Commentary, 28 February 2020Kayla Izenman and Katherine Norton-Williams
The coronavirus outbreak may have averted or postponed North Korea’s aim of hosting a curious gathering of blockchain and cryptocurrency experts. Potential participants should resist the temptation to attend this event, should Pyongyang seek to reinstate it in the future.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Cyber, North Korea, Technology
North Korea: Where the Central Europeans Can Help
Commentary, 12 February 2020Wojciech Pawlus
They may be a relic of the Cold War, but the Central European embassies which remain in the North Korean capital could boost EU diplomatic power.
North Korea, European Union
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 PolicyPages
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 6: The Phantom Fleet: North Korea’s Smugglers in Chinese Waters
Other Publications, 5 March 2020James Byrne, Joe Byrne, Gary Somerville and Hamish Macdonald
A large fleet of North Korean cargo ships continues to deliver coal to China in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions, in what appears to be a large-scale, coordinated effort to evade...
Project Sandstone, North Korea, Other Publications, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
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 PolicyPages
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
"“I don’t think he was sharing any shocking insights,” says Kayla Izenman, a research analyst at the Royal United Services Institute in London. “It’s pretty obvious that North Korea knows what they’re doing with cryptocurrency.” According to Izenman’s own research at RUSI’s Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, North Korea has successfully used cryptocurrencies as a revenue stream and money laundering tool since at least 2017. "
What North Korea Really Wants From Its Blockchain Conference
In The News, 13 February 2020 Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Cyber, AML/CTF, North Korea, Technology, Pacific
""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
Data-Driven Responses to the Coronavirus Pandemic and the Privacy Implications
The Coronavirus Pandemic Demands Digital Vigilance, Amid Intensifying Social Isolation
No Body to Kick, No Wings to Clip: The Airbus Settlement and Corporate Criminal Liability