The BBC has learned that thousands of North Koreans are being sent to Russia to work in slave-like conditions, filling a labor shortage exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. These workers face abysmal working conditions, including long hours with little rest, minimal safety equipment, and constant surveillance by North Korean authorities. Many are confined to construction sites and subjected to punishing schedules, with a majority of their earnings sent directly to the North Korean state. Despite UN sanctions banning the use of North Korean labor, Moscow is increasingly relying on these workers.
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In a daring escape, a North Korean defector successfully swam for 10 hours down the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, utilizing plastic foam to evade border guards. South Korean officials confirmed the man’s defection, which occurred on July 30th, highlighting the increasing difficulty of fleeing the North due to tightened security measures. This event follows a trend of high-risk escape methods as conventional routes are shut down, and mirrors a similar swim in 2024. Amid this, North Korea refused to claim the body of a deceased citizen found in the same area, underscoring the ongoing diplomatic strain despite South Korea’s softened approach.
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In early 2020, Christina Chapman, a US resident, was recruited to facilitate remote employment for overseas IT workers, unknowingly assisting a North Korean government scheme. Chapman aided North Korean IT workers in securing jobs at various US companies, including Fortune 500 ones, by providing access to computers and assisting in identity theft, ultimately generating $17 million. This scheme involved North Korean IT workers posing as US citizens. Chapman’s actions, which she knew were illegal, led to an eight-year prison sentence for her role in the conspiracy, which included stealing identities and funneling funds to the North Korean government for weapons development.
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North Korea stated that President Trump must acknowledge its nuclear status and that pursuing denuclearization would block any future meetings between the two leaders. Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, noted the leaders’ positive personal relationship but argued that using it to pursue denuclearization would be seen as a mockery. This statement comes after stalled denuclearization talks between the two countries.
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As summer heat rises, North Korean children seek relief in pools created by gold mining operations, a popular swimming spot despite the annual drownings. These pools, often deep with treacherous sandy bottoms, pose a significant drowning risk. Recently, a 7-year-old boy drowned in one of these pools, highlighting the dangers. Local residents attribute the accidents to unsafe gold mining practices and the lack of preventative measures from authorities, leaving parents to worry and caution their children.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, dismissed South Korea’s recent attempts at reconciliation, claiming the new government’s reliance on the U.S. alliance and perceived hostility renders it no different from its predecessor. Her statement, which represents North Korea’s first official response to the new South Korean administration, suggests Pyongyang currently sees no need for diplomacy with Seoul or Washington, particularly as it strengthens ties with Russia, potentially seeking to drive a wedge between the two allies. North Korea views upcoming U.S.-South Korean military drills as a rehearsal for invasion and is currently prioritizing its relationship with Russia. Experts suggest the North may be positioning itself to abandon the U.S. alliance and may formulate a plan B and plan C for relations with the South and U.S. at an upcoming meeting.
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Direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang have commenced this week, marking a deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea. The inaugural flight, operated by Nordwind Airlines, departed Moscow on Sunday and is scheduled to operate monthly, with the first return flight from Pyongyang taking place on Tuesday. This new route arises from Russia’s declining travel options and North Korea’s efforts to boost tourism, particularly as the two nations have strengthened military ties in recent years. The launch of direct flights is described as a historical event, further solidifying diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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Following the opening of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a resort designed to bolster tourism, North Korea has temporarily banned foreign visitors. The ban comes shortly after the arrival of the first Russian tourists and a meeting between Kim Jong Un and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. This new resort, with a capacity of 20,000 people, features hotels, restaurants, and a water park along a 4km beachfront. The decision to restrict foreign access follows a pattern of abruptly halting tourism, as seen with Western tourists earlier this year.
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North Korea has abruptly banned foreign tourists from its newly opened Wonsan-Kalma tourist complex, a project hailed by leader Kim Jong Un. The ban’s announcement, made without specifying a reason or duration, came shortly after a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had expressed intentions to boost Russian tourism to the site. Experts suggest the decision may stem from a Russian media report that hinted at the mobilization of North Koreans for tourism rather than actual visitors, or from issues with attracting Russian tourists due to distance and cost. Despite the ban, which is unlikely to be permanent, the country faces financial pressures to open the complex to foreign tourists, given the significant investment and its importance in tourism development.
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Japan’s defense minister stated the nation faces its most severe security environment since World War II, citing increased military activities from China, Russia, and North Korea. The annual defense white paper highlights China’s military expansion as an “unprecedented strategic challenge,” particularly around the disputed Senkaku Islands, while also noting growing cooperation between China and Russia. The report expresses concerns about North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile program, which can reach the entirety of Japan. These actions are described as a threat to regional stability, mirroring concerns raised by the head of the US military’s Indo-Pacific Command.
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John Q. Hosedrinker