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Attendees applaud as North Korea and Russia open their first road bridge, a structure that spans the Tumen River, connecting the border cities of Rason and Khasan, on 7 September 2026.

First Russia-North Korea road link shows growing ties

The two countries were not always simpatico, but things changed after the war in Ukraine. Al Majalla tracks the evolution of their relationship and why it matters

Anton Mardasov 20 September 2026

Diana Estefanía Rubio

Russia, North Korea establish first road link

A new road bridge linking Russia and North Korea is nearing completion across the Tumen River, creating the first direct road connection between the two countries. The Khasan-Tumangang bridge—a two…

Al Majalla - London 05 August 2026

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a rare visit by the Chinese president to North Korea on 8 June, 2026.

AFP

China looks to boost North Korea ties with an eye on Russia

China understands that North Korea is no longer the besieged ally with no gateway other than Beijing, and that leaving the field entirely open to Russia carries a mounting strategic cost

Charbel Barakat 10 June 2026

A woman holds an image of Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, alongside late Iranian Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. States have the resources, reach, and expertise to pursue their enemies.

WANA via Reuters

State assassinations: whack-a-mole or strategic weapon?

When it comes to killing politically prominent people, countries are often best placed to do so, as a long history of state assassinations attests. But is there any evidence that it is effective?

Steve Hewitt 29 May 2026

K-pop girl group New Jeans perform during “2024 Korea On Stage — New Generation," held at the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul on May 21, 2024.

Anthony WALLACE / AFP

Why South Korean pop culture rocks and North Korea’s does not

Dictatorship stifles creativity and joyrn

The Economist 04 June 2024

This undated photo provided on Nov. 27, 2022, by the North Korean government shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and his daughter, right, walk to a photo session with those involved in the recent launch of what it says a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, at an unidentified location in North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Seoul: Kim’s Daughter Reveal Hints At Prolonged Family Rule

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s disclosure of his daughter in recent public events was likely an attempt to show his people that one of his children would one day inherit his power in what would be…

AP 05 January 2023

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a session of the sixth enlarged meeting of the eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Party, in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo released on January 1, 2023 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA via REUTERS

North Korea's Kim Sacks No. 2 Military Official

North Korea has sacked Pak Jong Chon, the second most powerful military official after leader Kim Jong Un, state media reported. Pak, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling…

02 January 2023

A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su

North Korea Fires 3 Ballistic Missiles after Unprecedented Year of Tests

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula on Saturday, the South Korean military said. The launches were the latest in an unprecedented number of…

31 December 2022

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 11th Meeting of the Political Bureau of the 8th Central Committee in this undated photo released on December 1, 2022. KCNA via REUTERS

North Korea's Kim Kicks Off Key Party Meeting Ahead of New Year

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has kicked off a key meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, state media reported on Tuesday, a venue he has often used to announce major policy decisions marking the…

26 December 2022

People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing a ballistic missile off its east coast, in Seoul, South Korea, December 18, 2022. REUTERS/ Heo Ran

North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles, Escalating Tensions, Says South Korea

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles towards the sea off the Korean Peninsula's east coast on Sunday, said South Korea and Japan, prompting South Korea's presidential office to "strongly…

18 December 2022

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LATEST ISSUE

North Korea

First Russia-North Korea road link shows growing ties

Russia, North Korea establish first road link

China looks to boost North Korea ties with an eye on Russia

State assassinations: whack-a-mole or strategic weapon?

Why South Korean pop culture rocks and North Korea’s does not

Seoul: Kim’s Daughter Reveal Hints At Prolonged Family Rule

North Korea's Kim Sacks No. 2 Military Official

North Korea Fires 3 Ballistic Missiles after Unprecedented Year of Tests

North Korea's Kim Kicks Off Key Party Meeting Ahead of New Year

North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles, Escalating Tensions, Says South Korea

Trump's midterm loss opens a window for Iran diplomacy

Britain's debt squeeze tests the pound’s power

China eyes greater security role in the Red Sea

Climate change is redrawing national borders

Five Arab novels that paint an AI-dominated future

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China eyes greater security role in the Red Sea

North Korea

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