News about North Korea: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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North Korea launched about ten to a dozen short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea. South Korea stepped up surveillance and information-sharing with the US and Japan; Japan said the missiles fell outside its exclusive economic zone. The launch came amid an escalating border dispute between the two Koreas.
Aziz KarimovThe US Treasury Department added Russian citizens Ilya Boykov and Vitold Obertas, eight North Korean citizens, and the Vladivostok-based company First Financial and Technical Development Center to its sanctions list. The restrictions were introduced as part of sanctions policy against North Korea.
Aziz KarimovAn infographic by Visual Capitalist, based on Global Firepower data, compared countries' military strength across four criteria: personnel numbers, tanks, aircraft, and ships. China ranks first in personnel and tanks, the US in aviation, while, according to Kun.uz, the American fleet is larger than the Chinese one by tonnage.
Otabek YusupovNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong via the recently opened New Yalu River Bridge. The visit coincided with the anniversary of China's entry into the Korean War and takes place ahead of the plenary session of the CPC Central Committee. Neither Beijing nor Pyongyang has officially confirmed the visit.
Otabek YusupovSouth Korea will send a letter to the president of the UN Security Council demanding apologies and accountability from North Korea for the September 21 mine blasts in the DMZ, which injured three South Korean servicemen. Pyongyang, led by Kim Yo Jong's statement, rejects the accusations, calling the border fortification a lawful defensive measure and warning of new response measures.
Sevara AzamovaKim Yo Jong stated that North Korea will raise its combat readiness along the entire southern border, and loudspeakers for propaganda against South Korea will be ready for deployment in the coming days. The warning came amid tensions over a landmine explosion in the DMZ on September 21 that wounded three South Korean soldiers.
Sevara AzamovaAccording to the Seoul-based outlet NK News, almost all North Korean websites, including KCNA, Rodong Sinmun and the Naenara portal, went offline simultaneously on Tuesday and remained inaccessible for more than 24 hours. The cause of the outage is unclear; the outlet links it to problems in the Ryugyong network, which has historically depended on China's China Unicom. Alternative channels through Russia and the Philippines did not help restore connectivity.
Javlon TursunovAfter a social media post by Chinese dissident Xie Wanjun claimed Kim Jong Un had died of a brain hemorrhage, North Korean state media published photos of the leader at a clothing and footwear exhibition in Pyongyang. South Korean intelligence said it had no confirmation of the rumors.
Javlon TursunovSeoul decided to withdraw part of the embassy staff in Kyiv after recalling its ambassador on October 8. The move followed a dispute over the transfer of two captured North Korean servicemen: Seoul accuses Kyiv of violating a confidential agreement, while Ukrainian authorities deny its existence.
Javlon TursunovThe South Korean leader, on the 500th day in power, said Seoul is 'fully capable' of taking over wartime operational control of troops (OPCON) and that talks with the US are moving in that direction. Pyongyang, in response, accused Seoul of provocations: Kim Yo-jong reported 201 cases of warning shots from August to October. Tensions rose after a mine explosion in the DMZ on September 21.
Otabek YusupovThe BBC analyzed satellite images showing four large vessels, ranging from 50 to 80 meters in length, off the coast of Wonsan near Kim Jong Un's villa between July and mid-October 2026. The largest, an 80-meter ship featuring a 50-meter pool and water slides, has been stationed near the Kalm Peninsula since early July. While North Korea has not officially disclosed ownership, former officials and defectors link such vessels to the leader's family. This display of luxury contrasts sharply with UN reports stating that approximately 40% of the population suffers from malnutrition and that the standard 14-day annual leave is rarely granted to ordinary citizens.
Otabek YusupovNorth Korea reported testing the Zam-2.0 torpedo system with AI guidance. This comes amid a series of recent missile tests, including launches of cruise missiles from a submarine, and against the backdrop of Trump's statements about plans to meet with Kim Jong Un.
Aziz KarimovNorth Korea announced the test of two types of submarine-launched cruise missiles off its east coast. This came a day after Kim Jong Un's visit to a defense industry museum and several days after South Korea's hypersonic missile test. Experts note that hypersonic weapons are a new manifestation of a long-standing arms race but do not change the balance of power.
Aziz KarimovThe US Department of Justice reported arrests and searches at more than 40 'laptop farms' in Texas, with over 180 computers seized. According to the agency, North Korean IT workers, using stolen identities of US citizens, infiltrated at least 70 companies and earned about $3 million. The FBI estimates the number of DPRK operatives working at Western companies in the 'thousands'.
Sardor QodirovThe four-lane New Yalu River Bridge, 3,026 meters long, has connected Dandong and Sinuiju. Construction was completed in 2014, but the opening was delayed due to unfinished roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side and the pandemic border closure. Beijing and Pyongyang hope to boost trade; experts note the context of North Korea's rapprochement with Russia.
Otabek Yusupov
