Our Scans · North Korea · Weekly Summary

• [New] As some Korean progressives do not see North Korea as a security threat, they may accept a trade-off, U.S. troop cuts for tariffs, which is ridiculous, Gen. The Washington Times
• [New] Russian assistance could similarly prove instrumental as North Korea seeks to benefit from a new suspected light water reactor at Yongbyon that has been under construction for more than a decade and may now be operating. Macdonald-Laurier Institute
• There is an increasing threat from expanding ability of China, Russia, and North Korea to deliver nuclear weapons against the United States, including the territories of the United States. GovTrack.us
• Iran and North Korea focus on asymmetric, cyber and missile-based disruptions, but increasingly embolden larger powers. Scott Morrison
• If South Korea strengthens cooperation with the United States and Japan, North Korea plans to brand it a new military fascist alliance. Daily NK English
• Amid increasing military threats from North Korea, the need for renewed defence cooperation between Japan and Korea was highlighted. Asia Pacific Initiative <
• Proliferation & Counter-measures: The knowledge transfer creates long-term proliferation risks as North Korea could establish independent production capabilities and potentially export to other hostile actors. Drone Warfare
• China may harbor concerns that if North Korea normalizes relations with the United States, abandons its nuclear arsenal, and embraces economic reform, Pyongyang could gradually shift away from Beijing's geopolitical orbit. Hudson Institute
• With the United States facing pressing challenges involving China, Russia, and the Middle East, it remains unclear whether North Korea will command sufficient attention at the highest levels of US foreign policy. Hudson Institute
• North Korea perceives the recent US airstrike as a preemptive military threat and will likely accelerate efforts to enhance its own capability for preemptive nuclear missile attacks. CNN
• North Korea will learn from Iran's mistakes, South Korea is more risk-averse than Israel and China and Russia are better-positioned to help Pyongyang than Tehran. Deutsche Welle
• Weaponization Concerns: Although exiting the NPT does not guarantee that Iran will pursue nuclear weapons, historical precedents (like North Korea) raise concerns about potential weapon development. EDUREV.IN
• Microsoft launched a free European Security Program aimed at enhancing cybersecurity for EU governments, particularly against threats from state-sponsored actors in Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Cyware
• South Korea was going to have to take overwhelming responsibility for its own self-defence against North Korea, so the US could be ready to fight China. BBC News
• If the United States is engaged in conflict with either China or North Korea, it might not be able to deter the other adversary from escalating that conflict or initiating a separate one. Atlantic Council
• South Korean military exercises are likely intended to send a message to North Korea as well, signaling to Pyongyang that South Korea will continue to defend itself despite the ratcheting down of some of its operations directed at North Korea. Institute for the Study of War
• NATO officials assess that Russia is preparing for a prolonged confrontation, increasing military production and strengthening ties with China, Iran, and North Korea, while warning that Russia could threaten NATO by 2030. The Cipher Brief
• Shahed drones could enable North Korea to strike targets across South Korea, potentially overwhelming air defences, and could also assist Russia in its war against Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent

Last updated: 18 July 2025