Martyn Williams
As seen in:
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Stimson,
BBC,
Daily Mail,
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North Korea-focused journalist/researcher @38NorthNK and @NorthKoreaTech. Senior Fellow @stimsoncenter. On air as KJ6SDF. 英国➡️日本➡️米国
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Articles by Martyn Williams
Beyond Pyongyang: Transportation Networks
eAs part of our series examining the socioeconomic disparity between Pyongyang and other cities in North Korea, we are looking at the differences North Koreans might experience, depending on where they live, across a variety of indicators including: access to electricity, telecommunications, industry, transportation infrastructure, and education. To do so, we utilized two examples as proxies: Haeju, a representative mid-sized provincial capital, and Kim Hyong Jik, a remote, rural county seat.
Beyond Pyongyang: Access to Electricity
As part of our series examining the socioeconomic disparity between Pyongyang and other cities in North Korea, we are looking at the differences North Koreans might experience, depending on where they live, across a variety of indicators including: access to electricity, telecommunications, industry, transportation infrastructure, and education. To do so, we utilized two examples as proxies: Haeju, a representative mid-sized provincial capital, and Kim Hyong Jik, a remote, rural county seat.
North Korea-Russia Bridge Could Open on Revised Deadline
Construction on the new road bridge linking North Korea and Russia has made significant progress in the last month and the revised September opening is looking more likely based on commercial satellite imagery. While a lot of work remains on the Russian side, the road connection and sufficient components of the immigration and customs complex appear to be on track for the first traffic to go through next month.
Beyond Pyongyang: Regional Development, Modernization, and Inequality in North Korea
(Source: Korean Central News Agency) Historically, across numerous socialist systems, state investment and scarce resources often become concentrated in capitals and politically important cities, producing persistent inequalities throughout society that vary by geography. North Korea is no exception.
Russian Construction Makes Progress Toward Bridge Opening
Commercial satellite imagery shows increased activity on the Russian side of the new road bridge to North Korea in Tumangang. Ahead of the expected bridge opening in June, the North Korean customs area appearedcomplete, but progress on the Russian complex lagged far behind. Since then, the pace of construction and activity around the site has picked up, the bridge’s projected opening date revised to September. Significant progress has been made on the larger buildings at the Russian customs area.
North Korea Taps India for Smartphones
North Korean smartphone brand Phurunhanal Electronics appears to have sourced one of its latest phones from the Indian company Lava International. This represents the first time a phone on sale inside North Korea has been linked to a non-Chinese manufacturer. The smartphone market inside the country has expanded quickly in the last three years with many new brands coming to the market. Sometimes, competing brands appear to be selling the same or very similar models.
More Than Smartphones: How Digital Technology Is Changing North Korea
This article is from the fourth edition (April–June 2026) of 38 North’s quarterly product, North Korea Briefing, that monitors key internal developments in North Korea. For the full series, click here. (Source: Korean Central Television) The growing digitization of North Korean life, epitomized by the spread of smartphones, is changing more than just how citizens stay in touch.
The Logistics of Funding North Korean E-Wallets
Smartphone-based e-payment systems appear to be growing quickly in Pyongyang. Several competing payment platforms in conjunction with recent from visitors to the capital suggest the QR code-based platforms are widely used and accepted, from department stores down to street vendors. Information about the spread of e-payment platforms outside of the capital is much more limited, but data obtained by NK TechLab indicates there is a push to take the networks nationwide.
Opening of New Road Link With Russia Unlikely in Near-Term
While the new road bridge between Russia and North Korea targeted a mid-June opening, the incomplete Russian customs area makes a near-term opening unlikely. Commercial satellite imagery shows construction on North Korean’s customs area appears all but finished, however, despite abundant construction materials and activity around the probable Russian customs site, much more work will be required for this crossing point to be operational.
How North Korean TV Comes Together for News About Kim Jong Un
In North Korea, there is nothing more important than news about Kim Jong Un or the Kim family. Something about him or the family leads the evening news every single day. If it’s not a report on him going somewhere or attending a meeting, it’s a report on how people somewhere are remembering a previous visit on the anniversary of that visit. Let’s take a look at the news in the last week: June 9: Kim Jong Un welcomes Xi Jinping on a visit to Pyongyang.
New DPRK-Russia Friendship Hospital is Repurposing Existing Project
In late April, when officials from Russia and North Korea broke ground on the new DPRK-Russia Friendship Hospital in Wonsan, state media reports failed to mention something that was staring the officials in the face: the core of the new hospital is a half-constructed building that had been sitting untouched for more than a year.
North Korea Sees a New Solar Power Push
The recent opening of a new solar farm in Haeju, South Hwanghae province, marks a turning point in North Korea’s solar energy production. This facility has the highest capacity for a single installment—10 megawatts—in the country to date and is indicative of a larger trend. North Korea’s solar energy sector is not only expanding at a greater scale than has been seen in recent years, the approach to solar is shifting.
A Probable New Hospital at Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort
Commercial satellite imagery shows the Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort likely has a new hospital. Construction on the building began in July last year, although its purpose was not clear at that time. In recent weeks, however, a helipad has been constucted in front of the building, painted with a large “+” symbol. Figure 1. Overview of likely hospital at Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort on imagery from April 8, 2026.
Villages Bordering Sohae Satellite Launching Station Razed
Commercial satellite imagery shows North Korea completely demolished two small communities bordering the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in March, razing several hundred buildings. The demolition means the villages of Jangang-dong and Jangya-dong, both part of Cholsan County in North Phyongan province, have disappeared from the map. All but a handful of buildings by the port remain after the work, which points to either security concerns or the further expansion of the space port.
Visualizing the Inminban
(Source: Rodong Sinmun) In the lives of North Koreans, there are few organizations as inescapable as the “inminban” (인민반), or neighborhood unit. It is the lowest unit of state authority and is used to maintain control and surveil the entire population. Each inminban covers between 10 and 40 houses, according to estimates, and all residents are required to be members.
Pyongyang Housing Push Marches On
Commercial satellite imagery shows work on the latest stage of Kim Jong Un’s ambitious plan to revitalize Pyongyang is already underway. A month after a ceremony was held to launch construction, new roads are already visible in one plot of land and building foundations are appearing in other areas. Figure 1. Kim Jong Un at groundbreaking ceremony for new development in Hwasong in February 2026.
New Fabrication Buildings at Kusong Facility
Commercial satellite imagery indicates construction of several large fabrication buildings at a facility suspected of being linked to North Korea’s drone program has been completed. Work on the new buildings began last year as construction of a large new facility adjacent to another aviation-related facility was underway in Kusong in North Phyongan province.
The Big Expansion of North Korea’s Cellular Sector
North Korea’s smartphone and cellphone market has expanded significantly in the last few years, and at least 24 domestic brands now compete for market share. That is an impressive number considering the population of around 26 million people and a consumer goods sector that is not particularly commercial.
Russian Bridge Construction Work Meets in the Middle
Recent commercial satellite imagery shows that the new road bridge connecting North Korea and Russia has reached a major milestone: construction work from opposite banks of the Tumen River meeting in the middle. Construction of the bridge, which reportedly costs around $100 million, began in March 2025 and is expected to open to traffic later this year. It supplements an existing railway bridge and for the first time, will enable vehicular traffic to cross between Russia and North Korea.
Apple tilbyder Motorola en dollar per Motorola-telefon
Apple giver Motorola Mobility et godt tilbud: En dollar per telefon, der kører med en Motorola-licens. 2. november 2012 kl. 11.40 Annonceindlæg tema Forsvar & beredskab Cybersikkerhed, realtidsdata og robuste it-systemer er blevet fundamentet for moderne forsvar. Computerworld News Service: Apple har tilbudt at betale Motorola Mobility, der er ejet af Google, op til én dollar per hardwareenhed for licens til patenter inden for mobilnetværk og Wi-Fi-teknologi.
Nokia vil med smart trick stoppe salg af Blackberry
Med et smart trick vil Nokia sætte en stopper for salg af de fleste smartphones fra RIM. 30. november 2012 kl. 08.31 Annonceindlæg tema Forsvar & beredskab Cybersikkerhed, realtidsdata og robuste it-systemer er blevet fundamentet for moderne forsvar.
Why AI, Cloud & Sustainability Strategies May Collide
UK pharmaceutical manufacturing is not short on digital ambition. If anything, it is being pulled in too many digital directions at once. AI adoption, cloud migration, OT and IT integration, and sustainability targets. Each initiative makes sense on its own. Together, they are supposed to deliver smarter, faster and more resilient manufacturing. But in 2026, I believe the way these priorities are being layered on top of each other will start to create real operational friction on the factory floor.
Why AI, Cloud & Sustainability Strategies May Collide
UK pharmaceutical manufacturing is not short on digital ambition. If anything, it is being pulled in too many digital directions at once. AI adoption, cloud migration, OT and IT integration, and sustainability targets. Each initiative makes sense on its own. Together, they are supposed to deliver smarter, faster and more resilient manufacturing. But in 2026, I believe the way these priorities are being layered on top of each other will start to create real operational friction on the factory floor.
Party Congress Preparations in Pyongyang
Commercial satellite imagery from February 2 shows hundreds of soldiers practicing marching formations at the Mirim Parade Training Ground in east Pyongyang, including a formation of the hammer, sickle and brush symbol of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK). These preparatory drills are likely for a parade to mark the upcoming Ninth Party Congress. Figure 1.
North Korean Cellular Coverage in 2026
This article was written as part of NK TechLab, a project of 38 North that serves as a central hub for ongoing investigation and analysis into how North Korea uses technology to serve and suppress its citizens. To read other research like this, visit NK TechLab here. North Korea’s cellular network has continued to expand since 38 North last mapped its footprint in late 2022, but the most significant change in the last several years has been the debut of 4G service.
Quick Take: The Last 40 Meters
Construction of the new road bridge between North Korea and Russia is advancing with work on the bridge footings almost forming a land connection between the two countries. Commercial satellite imagery from January 1 shows the construction work has had the effect of temporarily damming the 300-meter–wide river so water continues to flow through an opening just 40 meters wide. Bridge decking material is staged for installation and construction-related infrastructure.
North Korea Completes the Second Year of the 20x10 Project
The second year of North Korea’s 20×10 regional development plan, which seeks to build regional industrial hubs in 20 counties every year for ten years, has been completed. Compared to the first year, the second year’s projects were completed earlier and received more attention from Kim Jong Un. Notably, the scope of the plan expanded beyond local manufacturing to include three core areas: science and technology facilities, grain management stations, and hospitals.
North Korea's Other TV: What You Don't See on KCTV
This article was written as part of NK TechLab, a project of 38 North that serves as a central hub for ongoing investigation and analysis into how North Korea uses technology to serve and suppress its citizens. To read other research like this, visit NK TechLab here. Among the many sources used to analyze North Korea is Korean Central Television (KCTV), the main, state-run television channel.
Military Airfield Modernization Expands to Uiju
North Korea appears to have begun a major modernization effort at Uiju Airfield. The scale of the project is still unclear, but commercial satellite imagery of the airfield shows work to extend the runway is already underway and over 100 huts, consistent with temporary housing on major North Korea construction sites, have been erected at the site. This is the third military airfield to be renovated and expanded since 2021.
Rebuilding Confidence in UK Pharma Manufacturing
Global pharma is pulling back from the UK. AstraZeneca’s cancelled upgrades, Eli Lilly’s stalled biotech hub, and Merck’s relocation of R&D all point to the same conclusion: the world’s biggest players no longer see the UK as a stable or competitive place to invest. That should worry everyone in life sciences, not just policy makers. When investment dries up, manufacturing feels it first. Across the global industry, pricing pressure is reshaping where and how medicines are made.
Rebuilding Confidence in UK Pharma Manufacturing
Global pharma is pulling back from the UK. AstraZeneca’s cancelled upgrades, Eli Lilly’s stalled biotech hub, and Merck’s relocation of R&D all point to the same conclusion: the world’s biggest players no longer see the UK as a stable or competitive place to invest. That should worry everyone in life sciences, not just policy makers. When investment dries up, manufacturing feels it first. Across the global industry, pricing pressure is reshaping where and how medicines are made.
NK TechLab Monthly: December 2025
This month, I take a look at a big recent expansion in television entertainment options available to North Korean citizens and how it ties in with the ongoing campaign to clampdown on consumption of foreign media. There’s also a shiny new computer gaming center in Pyongyang and news on the impact of Radio Free Asia’s closedown and marketing via text messaging. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Comment: How global drug pricing wars are hitting UK pharma - The Engineer
As the US administration moves to cut domestic drug costs, manufacturers are under pressure to recover lost margins elsewhere. As a result, we’re seeing higher prices in smaller markets, slower access to new treatments and growing uncertainty over where future R&D and production will happen.
Inside Pyongyang's new gaming center
Some fascinating photos of the new cyber gaming center recently toured by Kim Jong Un have been posted to X. The photos show the center, located in the new Hwasong District of Pyongyang, is packed with gaming PCs and computer games from overseas. One image shows numerous gaming stations, each apparently equipped with PCs, monitors and headsets from Republic of Gamers, a popular gaming PC brand of Taiwan’s Asus. Each gaming station is numbered.
10/17/25 Korean News and Commentary
Quotes of the Day: "I salute the man who is going through life always helpful, knowing no fear, and to whom aggressiveness and resentment are alien." – Albert Einstein "The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger - but recognize the opportunity." – John F. Kennedy "Retribution often means that we eventually do to ourselves what we have done unto others." – Eric Hoffer 1.
The Importance of Foreign Information Access in North Korea
For decades, North Koreans have relied on illicit foreign information to provide news, information, entertainment, knowledge and—perhaps most importantly—ideas they would otherwise never have access to. But since the beginning of this year, the amount of radio and television programming being beamed into North Korea has plummeted. Radio broadcasting is down by 85 percent and television broadcasting has been eliminated after cuts made by the US and South Korean governments.
10/15/25 Korean News and Commentary
Quotes of the Day: "Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the bet guarantee of their loyalty. – Hannah Arendt "The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject." – Marcus Aurelius "Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed. Quit evasions.
Quick Take: New Drone Launching System Shown
WMD Among the new weaponry shown during North Korea’s October 10 parade marking the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea was a truck-based drone launching system. This new launch system can house six loitering munition-type drones, each within its own enclosure. The six enclosures make up a single structure. Pistons move the structure to an angle that can launch drones in an upwards trajectory.
Samsung på vej med stime af open source-telefoner
2013 ser ud til at bydehele fire nye, stærke udfordrere i mobilmarkedet. Annonceindlæg fra DE-CIX Opbygning af en ny netværksstrategi for virksomheder Virksomheder vokser hurtigt ud af deres gamle IT-systemer pga. hastig digital innovation og nye AI-understøttede forretningsløsninger. Læs også: It-kæmper udvikler på nyt Linux-styresystem til mobiler. Læs også: It-kæmper udvikler på nyt Linux-styresystem til mobiler.
A Nascent Fintech Industry Appears in Pyongyang
Electronic payments appear to be gaining popularity in North Korea, thanks to the spread of smartphones, pressure from the state, and an increasingly competitive market for smartphone apps. Several competing electronic payment wallets are in operation in Pyongyang and, to a lesser extent, across the country, according to an examination of recent North Korean smartphones, state media reports and video posted by tourists.
Quick Take: Redevelopment of Samjiyon Airfield Underway
North Korean state media reports and commercial satellite imagery indicate that work has begun to transform the Samjiyon Airfield into the country’s third modern commercial airport. The work is the latest in a multi-stage, multi-year effort to turn the region into what Kim Jong Un described as a “socialist utopia.” Background Samjiyon is located near the border with China but, more importantly, sits at the foot of Mt. Paektu, the mythical birthplace of the Korean nation.
Current Status of North Korea's Drone Program
North Korea is expanding its military drone program. During a visit to North Korea’s Unmanned Aeronautical Technology Complex in mid-September, Kim cited the reality of modern warfare and said developing the core technology and artificial intelligence for drones was a “top-priority and important task” in modernizing North Korea’s (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK) armed forces. He also said the country needed to expand the production capacity of drones.
Quick Take: North Korea's Newest Warships Unlikely to Have Sailed
The two newest warships in the North Korea’s naval fleet do not appear to have taken to the open seas since their ceremonial launches in April and June of this year. Based on multiple medium-resolution commercial satellite images both ships appear to have remained at or close to port since they were launched.
Quick Take: A Day at the Seaside - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
Commercial satellite imagery from August 19 has captured hundreds of colorful tents on the beach at Chongjin as hot mid-summer temperatures send North Koreans to cool off. Chongjin is located roughly 340 kilometers northeast of Wonsan-Kalma, where a massive new beach and tourist zone opened earlier this summer. While Chongjin can experience slightly cooler weather, it does not appear to have stopped hundreds of people from enjoying a day by the sea.
Digitalisation of pharma in 2025: What’s holding firms back?
If you're working in the office today, look around. Peer over your laptop. How many of your colleagues are still clinging to paper-based processes? Clutching SOPs, annotating batch records, copying notes by hand? It’s not a dig. It’s a reflection of where the pharmaceutical industry still finds itself in 2025. According to a 2025 survey by the Pistoia Alliance, more than half of life sciences professionals say internal resistance to change is the number one barrier to transformation.
Quick Take: New Seaport Shaping Up at Sohae Satellite Launching Station
The full nature of the seaport at North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launch Center is finally becoming apparent, more than two years after construction began. Commercial satellite imagery reveals infrastructure that will allow cargo vessels to dock and unload large goods, but exactly what remains is unclear. This work in the port area is part of a large modernization and expansion push that began after Kim Jong Un visited in 2022.
North Korea Has Scored a Major Victory in the Battle Against Information
The propagandists and censors at the Workers’ Party of Korea can probably hardly believe their luck. For decades they have battled against a constant, daily flow of uncensored news and information into North Korea that directly contradicts the stories they tell their own people about Kim Jong Un, the Korean Peninsula, and the world. But in the last three months, everything has changed. The battle has taken a decisive turn in North Korea’s favor and they did not need to do a thing.
7/23/25 Korean News and Commentary
Quotes of the Day: "No man was ever wise by chance." – Seneca "The highest result of education is tolerance." – Helen Keller "You've got to find the force inside you." – Joseph Campbell 1. North Korea Has Scored a Major Victory in the Battle Against Information 2. Axis Of Isolation: North Korea’s Military Pact With Russia And Its Global Fallout – OpEd 3. The Book That All Americans Should Be Reading Now (Why Nations Fail) 4.
Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort Hosts a High-Level Visit
Less than two weeks after it finally opened to domestic tourists, the Wonsan Kalma Tourist Zone faced its first big state occasion over the weekend. The resort was chosen as the location for meetings between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kim Jong Un. Such a meeting might typically be held in Pyongyang, or at least involve a stop in the capital city, but Lavrov flew directly into Wonsan from Kuala Lumpur.
Demolition of Mt. Kumgang Tourist Area Slowly Drags On
Work to remove the remaining traces of the Mt. Kumgang Tourist Area continues in North Korea, although at a pace that indicates it is not an overriding national priority. In the six months since38 North’s last report on the site, several small buildings have been removed—including the South Korean-owned gas station—and work on demolishing the Kumgang Family Reunion Center is ongoing, though with little urgency.
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