North Korea this week

Latest Headlines Kim Jong Un sits out party meetings as state media marks 10 years of his rule - by Colin Zwirko Day three of party plenum focused on budget discussions and studying Kim's speeches Visit NK News for More In officially tax-free North Korea, where does the state get its money? - by Peter Ward The DPRK has multiple revenue sources, including taxes, that have both positive and negative impacts on the economy Visit NK Pro for More Seoul approves three new requests to send nutrition-related aid to North Korea - by Jeongmin Kim South Korea has now greenlit 11 aid shipments this year, though delivery is unlikely due to DPRK’s border restrictions  Visit NK News for More Japan approves $1.2 billion for missile defense, eyeing North Korea threats - by Kosuke Takahashi The funds are a part of $53.6 billion in defense spending that the cabinet has approved for the next 16 months Visit NK News for More Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans like to go camping? - by Alek Sigley Travel restrictions mostly rule out leisure camping, but there are other ways people spend time in the great outdoors Visit NK News for More

The latest from the podcast The biggest North Korea stories of 2021 – NKNews Podcast Ep. 215 The NK News team discusses Kim Jong Un’s health, the DPRKs new ‘dark age’ and their predictions for the year ahead Listen to the full episode here

Top NK stories from around the web US declines comment on Chung's remarks about end of war declaration agreement(The Korea Herald)The United States declined to directly comment on any progress made on a draft for an end to the Korean War declaration professed by the South Korean foreign minister on Wednesday, only saying the US remains committed to dialogue with North Korea. S. Korea starts construction of 2nd 3,600-ton-class SLBM submarine(Yonhap News)South Korea has started the construction of a new 3,600-ton-class military submarine with improved ballistic missile capabilities, officials said Thursday. Some North Korean forced labor camps giving more “production tasks” than last year(Daily NK)Inmates at some forced labor camps in North Korea have reportedly been tasked with producing more wigs, false eyelashes and other goods. This suggests the authorities may have ordered the inmates to produce the deliverables for toll manufacturing contracts signed with Chinese companies. N. Korea shuts down access to Pyongyang ahead of party plenary meeting(Daily NK)North Korea has reportedly shut down access to Pyongyang with the Eighth Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea holding its Fourth Plenary Meeting on Monday. North Korea's leader looks slimmer than ever(The Korea Times)North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, seems to be have reached his lowest weight in at least the past few years.