North Korea is a one-party state [1] run by the Kim family. South Korea was formerly governed by a succession of military dictatorships, save for a brief one-year democratic period from 1960 to 1961, until thorough democratization in 1987, after which direct elections were held. Both nations claim the entire Korean Peninsula and outlying islands.

1 day ago · On Sunday, North Korea said it tested a cruise missile system, its third known weapons display this year, and vowed “the toughest” response to what it called the escalation of U.S.-South Korean military drills. North Korea views U.S. military training with South Korea as invasion rehearsals, though Washington and Seoul have repeatedly said ...

4 days ago · South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea had launched “several” cruise missiles toward its western waters from an inland area at around 4 p.m. on Saturday. It said South Korean maintains a readiness to “overwhelmingly” repel any provocations by North Korea in conjunction with its military alliance with the U.S.

Oct 17, 2024 · North Korea confirmed Thursday that its recently revised constitution defines South Korea as “a hostile state” for the first time, two days after it blew up front-line road and rail links that once connected the country with the South.

1 day ago · South Korea soon ended all trade relations with its northern neighbour and declared its intention to resume propaganda broadcasts along the border. The North Korean government, denying responsibility for the attack, severed all ties with South Korea. Relations between the two countries continued to be mixed.

Dec 5, 2024 · A night of political upheaval in South Korea has upended stability in a key democratic US ally – sending shock waves through the region and Washington at a moment of acute global tension.

Dec 31, 2023 · North Korea will no longer seek reconciliation and reunification with South Korea, Kim Jong Un has declared, as his nation vowed to put three new military spy satellites into orbit in 2024.

Oct 17, 2024 · SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has designated South Korea a “hostile state,” its state media said Thursday, confirming that its national assembly had amended the constitution in line with...

Oct 15, 2024 · North Korea blew up parts of two major roads connected to the southern part of the peninsula on Tuesday, South Korean authorities said, after Pyongyang warned it would take steps to completely...

Sep 9, 2024 · In the Q&A below, a pair of RAND experts discuss the foremost foreign policy challenges, the realistic goals for denuclearization, and the steps needed to bolster the U.S.–South Korea alliance. They also explore the cybersecurity threats posed by North Korea, the efficacy of economic sanctions, and ongoing human rights abuses in the region.