All Issue Briefs
NCNK Issue Brief: An Overview of North Korea's Ballistic Missile Program
This issue brief gives an overview on North Korea's ballistic missiles. It also provides links to more comprehensive sources. This brief was last updated on December 13, 2011.
An Overview of South Korea's North Korea Policy
A four page historical overview of South Korea (Republic of Korea) policy toward North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea). Last updated July 21, 2011.
NCNK Issue Brief: DPRK-Japan Relations: An Historical Overview
A brief overview of key events in DPRK-Japan Relations. Last updated December 1, 2011
North Korea's Nuclear Program
An overview of US intelligence and unofficial analysis of the DPRK's nuclear programs and directs the reader to more comprehensive resources. Last updated August 8, 2011.
A Short History of US Relations with North Korea
An overview of US-DPRK relations, with a focus on recent security and non-proliferation issues. Last updated August 18, 2011.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Obama Administration Key Leadership Relevant to the DPRK (Fall 2011)
Contains information on key personnel dealing with North Korea, nonproliferation, and related issues from agencies including the State Department, Defense Department, and National Security Council. Last updated January 6, 2012.
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.
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 August 22, 2011.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874
This NCNK Issue Brief reviews the history of the adoption UNSCR 1874, comparing it with UNSCR 1718. It also discusses implementation, referring to the Expert Panel Reports for 2010 and 2011.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718
This issue brief provides information on UNSCR 1718 adopted October 2006. For more resources, see http://www.ncnk.org/resources/news-items/1718resources/
NCNK Issue Brief: The Northern Limit Line
A summary of the history and politics of the Northern Limit Line, the disputed maritime boundary between the two Koreas. Last updated September 29, 2011
