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North Korea

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • North Korean side to make rare trip to South Korea

    May 5, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    North Korean side to make rare trip to South Korea

    submitted by /u/Beginning-Passion676 [link] [comments]

    North Korea
  • 북한 or 조선? South Korea debates what to call North Korea

    May 2, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    북한 or 조선? South Korea debates what to call North Korea

    submitted by /u/Beginning-Passion676 [link] [comments]

    North Korea
  • How different are the North Korean and South Korean languages?

    May 2, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    How different are the North Korean and South Korean languages?

    Picture from a North Korean English language classroom submitted by /u/TroodiVideos [link] [comments]

    Korean Language, North Korea
  • Why are there ‘two’ Koreas?

    May 2, 2026
    in News
    Why are there ‘two’ Koreas?

    Two decades ago, as I packed my bags to come to South Korea and begin a journey that would change…

    Ewha, germany, North Korea, Protest
  • K-Drama & K-pop; Which Acts are which Drama?

    May 1, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Let’s pick a K-drama which best represents a K-pop act. Here are my attempts Squid Game – BTS : Global…

    BTS, Celebrity, Fame, K-drama, K-pop, North Korea, squid game
  • S. Korean envoy stresses commitment to ‘peaceful coexistence’ on peninsula, denuclearization

    May 1, 2026
    in News
    S. Korean envoy stresses commitment to ‘peaceful coexistence’ on peninsula, denuclearization

    WASHINGTON — South Korea’s top envoy to the U.N. reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to “peaceful coexistence” on the Korean Peninsula and…

    Military, North Korea, Peace, Seoul, Stress
  • ‘New neocons’ influence Trump as North Korea faces increased risk

    Apr 30, 2026
    in News
    ‘New neocons’ influence Trump as North Korea faces increased risk

    As a rift widens among Republicans over U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, a top Korean American leader said Seoul must recognize…

    Donald Trump, Korean American, Military, North Korea, Seoul
  • Why nationality is more than a personal choice in South Korea

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Why nationality is more than a personal choice in South Korea

    Should a man whose wife is American and whose two children hold British citizenship lead South Korea’s monetary policy? This…

    family, Korean Military, Koreans, Lawmakers, Military, North Korea, Question, study
  • Number of executions in North Korea rose dramatically during Covid – report

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Number of executions in North Korea rose dramatically during Covid – report

    submitted by /u/Beginning-Passion676 [link] [comments]

    North Korea
  • N. Korea slams Japan PM’s offering to war shrine

    Apr 25, 2026
    in News
    N. Korea slams Japan PM’s offering to war shrine

    North Korea criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Saturday, for making a ritual offering to a controversial war shrine in…

    history, Japan, Justice, North Korea, Peace, Tokyo, World War
  • Korea, US divided on unification minister’s NK nuclear facility remarks: national security adviser

    Apr 24, 2026
    in News
    Korea, US divided on unification minister’s NK nuclear facility remarks: national security adviser

    HANOI — South Korea and the U.S. have different views on Unification Minister Chung Dong-young’s remarks on North Korea’s nuclear…

    Coupang, Discussion, North Korea
  • U.S. Cuts Nuclear Intelligence Flow to Seoul Six Days After IAEA Warned of Pyongyang’s Weapons Push

    Apr 22, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    U.S. Cuts Nuclear Intelligence Flow to Seoul Six Days After IAEA Warned of Pyongyang’s Weapons Push

    The United States partially restricted satellite intelligence sharing with South Korea on North Korean nuclear technology, Seoul military officials confirmed…

    identification, Military, North Korea, Pyongyang, Seoul
  • USFK chief lodges protest against unification minister for leaking US intelligence: lawmaker

    Apr 21, 2026
    in News
    USFK chief lodges protest against unification minister for leaking US intelligence: lawmaker

    The commander of the U.S. military stationed in South Korea, Gen. Xavier Brunson, has lodged a protest against the unification…

    Controversy, Military, North Korea, Protest
  • Unification minister regrets leak claim related to his reference to Kusong as NK nuclear facility site

    Apr 20, 2026
    in News
    Unification minister regrets leak claim related to his reference to Kusong as NK nuclear facility site

    Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Monday his referring to North Korea’s Kusong region as one of the sites hosting the…

    North Korea
  • Neolithic, Bronze Age relics of salt-producing facilities found in N. Korea: KCNA

    Apr 9, 2026
    in News
    Neolithic, Bronze Age relics of salt-producing facilities found in N. Korea: KCNA

    Remains of salt-producing facilities dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Age have been found in North Korea’s southwestern city of…

    North Korea, Pyongyang
  • North Korea shows rare civility toward South after President Lee expresses regret over drones

    Apr 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    North Korea shows rare civility toward South after President Lee expresses regret over drones

    submitted by /u/Saltedline [link] [comments]

    North Korea
  • [MORNING CALM TALES] How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb

    Apr 4, 2026
    in News
    [MORNING CALM TALES] How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb

    In the spring of 1994, a crisis erupted when a North Korean official declared, during a meeting with his South…

    history, Korean History, Military, North Korea, Seoul
  • S. Korea, Ukraine FMs agree to handle issue of N. Korean POWs in line with humanitarian principles

    Mar 28, 2026
    in News
    S. Korea, Ukraine FMs agree to handle issue of N. Korean POWs in line with humanitarian principles

    The foreign ministers of South Korea and Ukraine have agreed to make efforts to resolve the issue of two North…

    G7, North Korea, Seoul, Ukraine
  • The bloody brilliance of Park Chan-wook’s JSA

    Mar 28, 2026
    in News
    The bloody brilliance of Park Chan-wook’s JSA

    Park Chan-wook is a genius. But more than being a master technician, he is also easily one of the most…

    K-pop, North Korea
  • Lee Geun-an, infamous torture interrogator, dies at 88

    Mar 27, 2026
    in News
    Lee Geun-an, infamous torture interrogator, dies at 88

    Lee Geun-an, a former police investigator who became a symbol of state violence under Korea’s military dictatorship and was known…

    Military, North Korea, Protest
  • Ukraine pledges to consider non-refoulement for detained N. Korean soldiers: civic group

    Mar 24, 2026
    in News
    Ukraine pledges to consider non-refoulement for detained N. Korean soldiers: civic group

    The Ukrainian government has affirmed that it will consider the humanitarian principle of not transferring prisoners of war against their…

    North Korea, Seoul, Ukraine
  • Air China to resume direct flights to North Korea on March 30

    Mar 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Air China to resume direct flights to North Korea on March 30

    submitted by /u/DANIELLE_2027 [link] [comments]

    North Korea
  • North Korea fires ballistic missile towards Japan; South Korea sets up emergency response team

    Mar 14, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    North Korea fires ballistic missile towards Japan; South Korea sets up emergency response team

    submitted by /u/rishabnum [link] [comments]

    Japan, North Korea
  • N. Korea promotes new street for families of soldiers killed in Russia-Ukraine war

    Mar 14, 2026
    in News
    N. Korea promotes new street for families of soldiers killed in Russia-Ukraine war

    Families of North Korean soldiers killed during the Russia-Ukraine war have begun to move into homes on a newly built…

    North Korea, Parents, Pyongyang, Stress, Ukraine
  • N. Korea’s Kim, daughter test pistols together at munitions factory

    Mar 12, 2026
    in News
    N. Korea’s Kim, daughter test pistols together at munitions factory

    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a factory for light, portable munitions, where he and his teenage daughter tested pistols…

    Military, North Korea
  • North Korean agents using AI to trick western firms into hiring them, Microsoft says | Technology sector

    Mar 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    North Korean agents using AI to trick western firms into hiring them, Microsoft says | Technology sector

    submitted by /u/Movie-Kino [link] [comments]

    North Korea
  • Unification ministry adopts new English term for North Korean defectors

    Mar 5, 2026
    in News
    Unification ministry adopts new English term for North Korean defectors

    The Ministry of Unification said it will use “North Korean-born citizens” as the standard English expression for people from North…

    North Korea
  • South Korea’s 2024 martial law crisis being adapted for big screen

    Mar 2, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    South Korea’s 2024 martial law crisis being adapted for big screen

    A film tentatively titled “Martial Law 12.3,” which would be the first narrative feature based on former President Yoon Suk…

    Lawmakers, martial law, North Korea
  • N. Korea ships 33,000 containers of weapons to Russia: Seoul

    Mar 1, 2026
    in News
    N. Korea ships 33,000 containers of weapons to Russia: Seoul

    North Korea is believed to have shipped some 33,000 containers of military supplies, including weapons and ammunition, to Russia as…

    Military, North Korea, Seoul, Ukraine
  • NK leader’s sister confirmed to serve as director of ruling party’s general affairs department

    Feb 28, 2026
    in News
    NK leader’s sister confirmed to serve as director of ruling party’s general affairs department

    Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was confirmed to have taken the post of director…

    Military, North Korea
  • (4th LD) Lee, Brazil’s Lula agree to elevate bilateral ties to strategic partnership

    Feb 23, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    (4th LD) Lee, Brazil’s Lula agree to elevate bilateral ties to strategic partnership

    SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) — President Lee Jae Myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva agreed to elevate…

    Discussion, Justice, Korean House, Military, North Korea, Peace, Politics, Seoul, Social Media
  • Japan PM Takaichi warns of China ‘coercion’, vows security overhaul

    Feb 20, 2026
    in News
    Japan PM Takaichi warns of China ‘coercion’, vows security overhaul

    TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned of growing Chinese “coercion” in her first post-election speech to parliament on…

    Japan, Military, North Korea, Tokyo, World War
  • For Ukrainian troops, the North Korea problem isn’t soldiers launching assaults. It’s artillery, lawmaker says.

    Feb 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    For Ukrainian troops, the North Korea problem isn’t soldiers launching assaults. It’s artillery, lawmaker says.

    submitted by /u/Fine-Cucumber8589 [link] [comments]

    North Korea
  • Sister of North Korea’s leader says South Korea’s drone regret was sensible but insufficient

    Feb 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Sister of North Korea’s leader says South Korea’s drone regret was sensible but insufficient

    submitted by /u/rezwenn [link] [comments]

    North Korea
  • Ex-drone commander removed from office over martial law involvement

    Feb 12, 2026
    in News
    Ex-drone commander removed from office over martial law involvement

    The former chief of the Drone Operations Command has been removed from office Thursday in disciplinary action over his involvement…

    martial law, Military, North Korea, Punishment
  • THURSDAY, Feb. 12, 2026

    Feb 11, 2026
    in News

    1700-Great Northern War begins in Northern Europe between Denmark–Norway, Saxony, Russia, and the Swedish Empire 1912-The last Qing Emperor of…

    KT, LG, North Korea
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Latest Korean News

  • ‘The Vegetarian’ by Han Kang voted top favorite among Int’l Booker Prize winnersMay 5, 2026
    Han Kang’s “The Vegetarian” has been chosen as readers’ favorite… Read more: ‘The Vegetarian’ by Han Kang voted top favorite among Int’l Booker Prize winners
  • 4 iconic hanok K-drama fans must visit in MayMay 5, 2026
    As May ushers in the full bloom of spring, there… Read more: 4 iconic hanok K-drama fans must visit in May
  • Back to the classroomMay 5, 2026
    At 8:30 a.m., I walked into a classroom where I… Read more: Back to the classroom
  • ‘Pookie’ hitmakers return as 4: Fifty Fifty confirms comeback without Hana amid recoveryMay 5, 2026
    K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty will return this summer —… Read more: ‘Pookie’ hitmakers return as 4: Fifty Fifty confirms comeback without Hana amid recovery
  • Explosion at fireworks plant in China kills at least 26 people, state media saysMay 5, 2026
    BEIJING — An explosion at a fireworks plant in a… Read more: Explosion at fireworks plant in China kills at least 26 people, state media says

Latest Community Feeds

  • What year or generation was K-pop’s golden era?May 6, 2026
  • Gamjatang for supperMay 6, 2026
  • Which girl group consistently has the most difficult and technical choreography?May 6, 2026
  • How to tell if a group or idol are doing lipsync ?May 6, 2026
  • Kpop MV teasers that outright show a same sex kiss?May 6, 2026
  • Seoul’s air clears as fine dust drops 40% over 2 decadesMay 6, 2026
  • The hate towards Sunoo is so frustratingMay 6, 2026
  • Korean cafeMay 6, 2026
  • Beyond the obvious “Big 3/HYBE” groups, which fandom feels the most massive and organized globally?May 6, 2026
  • Today’s lunchMay 6, 2026
  • The perfect spread – Raw seafood Anju nightMay 6, 2026
  • Why does Korea and Japan have a lot of cults?May 5, 2026
  • Love Abalone !May 5, 2026
  • What Is The Point of Re-Package Albums? They Don’t Want To Release A Single, So…May 5, 2026
  • Korean potatoes making sweet Korean cakes, first time I tried them I loved themMay 5, 2026
  • Picnic day with my best friend, Korean street foodMay 5, 2026
  • Mubi Acquires Na Hong-Jin’s Korean Thriller ‘Hope,’ Starring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Hoyeon, For Multiple Territories Ahead of Cannes PremiereMay 5, 2026
  • Korea and Taiwan: When an AI boom lifts a nationMay 5, 2026
  • Why I think Babymonster and Blackpink are differentMay 5, 2026
  • I love simple home mealsMay 5, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (20,086)
    • Community (14,355)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,544)
  • History (41)
  • People (16)

History of Korea

  • Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-HistoryOctober 12, 2017
    Introduction to Pre-Historic Korea The timeline of ancient Korea before documented history is a fascinating yet challenging area of study.… Read more: Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-History
  • The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three KingdomsOctober 19, 2017
    Introduction to Go Joseon The Go Joseon dynasty, often considered a pivotal era in Korean history, emerged around the end… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three Kingdoms
  • The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and UnificationNovember 30, 2017
    Introduction to the Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms period in Korea, encompassing approximately from the 1st century BCE to the… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and Unification
  • Choe Chi-wonFebruary 14, 2018
    Introduction to Choe Chi-won Choe Chi-won, born in 857, stands as a notable figure in Korean history, specifically during the… Read more: Choe Chi-won
  • King Gwanggaeto the GreatMay 14, 2018
    Introduction to King Gwanggaeto King Gwanggaeto the Great, a pivotal figure in Korean history, ruled from 395 to 413 CE… Read more: King Gwanggaeto the Great
  • Won HyoOctober 14, 2018
    Introduction to Won Hyo Won Hyo, a prominent figure in Korean history, is celebrated for his profound impact on the… Read more: Won Hyo
  • Jang BogoApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Jang Bogo Jang Bogo, a prominent historical figure from the Silla Dynasty, played a pivotal role in shaping… Read more: Jang Bogo
  • GyebaekApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Gyebaek Gyebaek is a prominent historical figure in Korean history, particularly known for his role as a general… Read more: Gyebaek
  • King MuryeongSeptember 14, 2019
    Introduction to King Muryeong King Muryeong, reigning from 501 to 523 AD, stands as one of the most influential monarchs… Read more: King Muryeong
  • The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon EraJanuary 3, 2020
    Introduction to the Goryeo Dynasty The Goryeo Dynasty, established in 918 AD by the notable general Wang Geon, marks a… Read more: The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon Era

Open Korea

Open Korea

Korean Identities Beyond Borders

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Helplines in Korea

112  | Police

Call to report life-threatening situations and emergencies requiring law enforcement. Text service and location tracking service is also available.

119 | Fire & Ambulance

The fire department and health emergencies requiring ambulance service. There’s also an English reporting section on their website.

182 | Missing Persons & Stolen Vehicles

This line is also used for non-emergency reports and requests such as inquiring about the cost of a fine for a traffic violation, information on car licenses, and how to contact officers in charge of specific cases.

1339 | Korea Center for Disease Control (KCDC) Foreigner Helpline

Particularly useful during the 2015 MERS scare, the KCDC provides foreigners with information about first-aid and diseases in English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian.

1366 | Seoul Women’s Help Hotline

Not necessarily English-friendly and not outside of Seoul, this 24-hour service immediate response line for women involved in domestic abuse, sexual violence or prostitution should still be kept handy.

1330 | Korea Tourism Organization’s Travel Helpline

Tourism and translation services. The service is available 24/7 and provides information on tourist sites, transportation, restaurants, and more.

120 | Seoul Municipal Government Info

The Seoul “Dasan” helpline provides information on restaurants (Korean and international cuisines), transportation (bus, subway, taxi, etc.), Korean language schools, interpretation services, legal consulting, lost items, volunteer services, daily living in Seoul, and tourism. Available languages are Chinese, English, Japanese, Mongolian and Vietnamese from 9 am to 10 pm.

1345 | Immigration

Foreign resident can to ask just about any immigration-related question. Keep in mind that they tend to be on the negative side, as it’s the safer way for them to answer. Tip: Get their name and information so that if you visit the immigration office and get a different story you can tell them that you were told otherwise…

1331 | National Human Rights Commission of Korea

Call here to get information on human rights laws and social justice in Korea, as well as get assistance with filing a complaint and even receive counseling.

110 | National Government Call Center

This phone number is available for the public to call and inquire about anything from government policy to civil complaints. Available in 20 different languages.

Useful Official Links on Korea

Korean Arts

  • Archive of Gugak 국악아카이브
  • Artsnet 미술포탈 아츠넷
  • Digital Archive of Performing Arts 공연예술 디지털 아카이브
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea 국립현대미술관
  • ​National Museum of Korea 국립중앙박물관
  • Seoul Photo Archives 서울사진아카이브

Korean Cinema

  • HANCINEMA The Korean Movie & Drama Database
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • KMDb 한국영화데이터베이스
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • Korean Annual Box Office Results 영화진흥위원회 박스오피스
  • Korean Film Archive 한국영상자료원
  • Korean Film Archive YouTube Channel
  • Korean Film Biz Zone
  • Korean Film Council 한국영화진흥위원회
  • KTV National Record Film 한국정책방송원 e영상역사관
  • North Korean film 북한영화 (통일부 북한자료센타)

Language & Literature

  • The Academy of Korean Studies 한국학 중앙 연구원
  • DLKL (한국 문학 디지털 도서관) by 한국문학번역원Digital Library of Korean Literature
  • The Korea Comparative Literature Association 한국비교문학회
  • The Korean Association of Language Sciences 한국언어과학회
  • Korean Literature Archive
  • Korean Literature Author Data Service
  • Korean Literature E-books in Multiple Languages
  • The Learned Society of Modern Korean Literature 한국현대문학회
  • The Modern Linguistic Society of Korea 한국현대언어학회
  • The Society of Korean Oral Literature 한국 구비 문학회
  • 국어 능력 인증 시험 (한국언어문화연구원)
  • 근대 문학 종합 목록 (국립 중앙 도서관)A comprehensive database for Korean modern literature. The site provides a search for authors and titles.
  • 한국 고전 종합 DB
  • 한글 학회 (Korean Language Society)

Statistical Sources

Government sources

  • Statistics Korea (KOSTAT 통계청)
  • Korean Statistical Information Sources (KOSIS 국가통계포털)
  • Open DATA Portal (공공 데이터 포털)

Themed statistics

  • Korean Social Science Data Archive (KOSSDA) 한국사회과학자료원
  • North Korean Statistics 북한통계 (KOISS)
  • 경제통계시스템 (Economic Statistics System)
  • 국가교육통계정보센터 (Korea National Center for Education Statistics & Information)
  • 노동통계 (Labour Statistics)
  • Media Statistics (Korea Press Foundation)
  • Trade Statistics (수출입통계, 관세청 Korea Customs Service)

History related sources

  • 한국역사정보통합시스템 (국사편찬워원회)
  • 한국사 데이터베이스
  • Kyujanggak Institute (규장각 한국학 연구원)Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Korean studies
  • 한국학 디지털 아카이브
  • The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty 조선 왕조 실록
  • The Daily Records of Royal Secretariat of Joseon Dynasty 승정원 일기
  • 朝鮮王朝実録 (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • Korean Image Archive (한국 이미지 자료원)2,400 historic, original photographs of Korea (primarily focus on images captured pre-1970, and 35mm color slides) are available for research, presentation, lectures and other forms of scholarly works.
  • Sajin Taehan Min’guk (사진 대한민국)a collection of photographic records that vividly capture the people’s daily lives and social changes.
  • Academy of Korean Studies [한국학 디지털 아카이브]

Bibliographies and Indexes

  • 한국학술지인용색인 Korea Citation Index
  • KORCIS: 한국 고문헌 종합 목록 (국립중앙도서관)Korean Old and Rare Collection Information System
  • 近代朝鮮関係書籍データベース (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • 한국 잡지 박물관 DB