All Briefing Papers

An Overview of North Korea's Ballistic Missiles

This issue brief gives an overview on North Korea's ballistic missiles. It also offers links to other useful sources for further analysis.

An Overview of South Korea's North Korea Policy

A three-page historical overview of South Korea (Republic of Korea) policy toward North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea). Last updated April 30, 2009.

DPRK Chart of NDC, Cabinet, SPA, April 2009

This chart, drawn from the articles "First Session of 12th SPA Meets" and "State Administration Bodies Elected" in the Pyongyang Times (April 11, pp. 2-3), shows the elected officials in the DPRK's National Defense Commission, the Cabinet and the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium, as well as the SPA Legislation Committee and SPA Budget Committee. It also shows the appointments to the Central Prosecutors Office and the Central Court. For more information on the election, see KCNA.

DPRK Diplomatic Relations

This NCNK Issue Brief lists those countries with which the DPRK has diplomatic relations and provides a brief overview of periods of DPRK diplomatic outreach. Last updated January 3, 2010.

FY 2009 Budget Request

Although details on the new fiscal year budget request are incomplete, the Department of Energy posted its full budget justification, including several references to continuing work with the DPRK on disablement, dismantlement and verification of nuclear programs in North Korea. The State Department has also posted budget request highlights.

FY 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Request

On April 9, 2009 President Obama sent Congress a supplemental appropriations request totaling $83.4 billion to fund the ongoing military, diplomatic, and intelligence operations. This issue brief details the language relevant to the DPRK. The full supplemental appropriations request can be found at the White House website: www.whitehouse.gov/omb/asset.aspx?AssetId=1086. Last updated April 13, 2009.

FY 2010 Defense Authorization Act [PL 111-084] CR 111-288

This issue brief lists the mentions of North Korea in the FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (PL 111-084, became law on October 28, 2009) and Conference Report 111-288 to accompany H.R. 2647, published on October 7, 2009.

Macroeconomic Statistics and the DPRK

This NCNK Issue Brief gives a snapshot of key economic indicators and trade statistics for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Because the DPRK provides insufficient primary data, statics must be generated through “mirror statics.” However, not all statistics are created equal: the assumptions, methods and sources used vary from one data provider to another. In 2009, Dr. Mika Marumoto authored a report for the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Economic Statistics Project,” a project of the U.S.-Korea Institute of the School for Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. The Statics Project Report is intended as a “user’s guide;” this NCNK Issue Brief was created with the report’s recommendations in mind. Last updated December 21, 2009.

Mt. Kumgang and Inter-Korean Relations

This Issue Brief, last updated November 10, 2009, provides an overview of the Mt. Kumgang Tourism Project. Please see the accompanying time line of significant meetings and events related to the tourism project.

Mt. Kumgang Tourism Timeline: Significant Events and Meetings

This time line includes significant events and meetings that have taken place at Mt. Kumgang or regarding the tourism project.

NCNK Issue Brief DPRK-Japan Relations: An Historical Overview

A brief overview of key events in DPRK-Japan Relations. Last updated January 22, 2008.

NCNK Issue Brief: The U.S. Drug Trafficking List

This 4 page issue brief, last updated January 7, 2008, reviews the obligations of the U.S. president regarding the "International Narcotics Control Strategy Report" (INCSR) and the annual Presidential Determinations regarding drug trafficking and production. The INCSR report for 2006 released in March 2007 reported "no confirmed instances of drug trafficking involving North Korea or its nationals during 2006. . . there is no evidence for several years that it continues to traffic in narcotics."

North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program

An overivew of US intelligence analysis of the DPRK's nuclear weapons program. Last updated March 2, 2007

Omnibus Appropriations Act and Defense Authorization Act, 2008

Description This Issue Brief lists the mentions of the DPRK in the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act and the 2008 Defense Authorization Act.

Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

This issue brief lists the mentions of North Korea in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The New Administration and the New Congress

This issue brief provides a short analysis of possible leadership structures and a chart of the administration and congressional positions that will be influential in shaping and implementing the new administration's DPRK policy. The chart will be updated as these positions are filled. Last updated November 13, 2008

U.S. Economic Policy toward North Korea: Economic Sanctions and Banco Delta Asia

A two page overview of U.S. sanctions and other economic measures relating to the DPRK, last updated March 21, 2007

U.S. Presidential Candidates on North Korea

This Issue Brief makes available collections of quotations by or about Senator John McCain, Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton regarding their views on U.S. policy toward North Korea.

US and North Korea Key Security Developments

An overview of DPRK Security and Non-Proliferation issues. Last updated March 21, 2008.