Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) Bsky - nopzon.com

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Posts by Chad O'Carroll

North Korean hackers linked to $290M heist from cryptocurrency platform North Korean cybercriminals were allegedly behind the theft of over $290 million from the decentralized finance (DeFi) platform KelpDAO on Saturday, Pyongyang’s second major cryptocurrency heist in April and largest virtual theft so far this year. In a statement released Monday, KelpDAO supplier LayerZero said TraderTraitor — a unit of North Korea’s Lazarus Group — […] The post North Korean hackers linked to $290M heist from cryptocurrency platform appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea’s exports to China hits new highs, driven by raw minerals North Korea’s exports to China in March were the highest in nearly a decade, driven by a surge in tungsten sales, according to data released from China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Monday. Commercial exchanges between the two countries rose from $178.2 million in February to $243.8 million in March, broadly in line during […] The post North Korea’s exports to China hits new highs, driven by raw minerals appeared first on NK PRO.

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Hackers used North Korea as bait for attacks on Russian firms: Report Ukraine-linked hackers used the prospect of doing business with North Korea as bait in a phishing attack against Russian businesses, a Moscow-based cybersecurity firm said, a ruse that takes advantage of the burgeoning commercial contacts between Russia and the DPRK. Hackers targeted an unnamed Russian “industrial firm” on April 8, sending emails from an address […] The post Hackers used North Korea as bait for attacks on Russian firms: Report appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korean hacker group targets Apple computers in new phishing campaign A North Korean cybercrime group has launched a new social engineering campaign targeting Apple computers, marking a notable shift toward stealthier, more deceptive cyberattacks aimed at stealing cryptocurrency and sensitive data. The actor, identified as Sapphire Sleet, is using a novel combination of trusted system tools and deceptive “fileless” execution patterns in pursuit of its […] The post North Korean hacker group targets Apple computers in new phishing campaign appeared first on NK PRO.

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Celebrations galore during North Korea’s ‘Day of the Sun’ holiday Celebrations for the 114th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung dominated state media this week, with extensive news coverage glorifying the late North Korean leader on the holiday known as the Day of the Sun. State TV also continued airing pre-recorded performances by foreign artists participating in the annual spring art festival through Monday, while […] The post Celebrations galore during North Korea’s ‘Day of the Sun’ holiday appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea upgrading airports at Wonsan resort and China border North Korea is upgrading runways at the Wonsan beach resort on the east coast and at two airports on the border with China, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery. The new construction in Wonsan, Sinuiju and Samjiyon involves building angled taxiways from main runways that allow large planes to exit without slowing to […] The post North Korea upgrading airports at Wonsan resort and China border appeared first on NK PRO.

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After a decade of work, extension of Pyongyang Metro still years from completion North Korea appears to be years away from finishing a decade-long project to extend the Pyongyang Metro, according to NK Pro analysis, despite growing pressure on the capital’s aging public transportation system. NK News first reported in 2018 on a project to extend the subway system’s Hyoksin Line by 3.6 km (2.2 miles), starting from […] The post After a decade of work, extension of Pyongyang Metro still years from completion appeared first on NK PRO.

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Foreign artists sing praises of Kim Jong Un on North Korean TV Celebrations for the 114th birth anniversary of founding leader Kim Il Sung dominated North Korean state media this week, led by broadcasts of foreign performances for the Day of the Sun holiday. State TV aired the pre-recorded performances for the annual spring art festival on a daily basis, featuring artists from friendly states like Russia […] The post Foreign artists sing praises of Kim Jong Un on North Korean TV appeared first on NK PRO.

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Crypto exchange issues alert after North Korean IT worker infiltrates leadership A Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange has urged its users to temporarily withdraw their funds from the platform after discovering a North Korean IT worker previously infiltrated the company’s top leadership. In a social media post on Wednesday, the decentralized exchange Stabble disclosed that an audit revealed a North Korean developer was part of its team until […] The post Crypto exchange issues alert after North Korean IT worker infiltrates leadership appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea still lacks naval base for new warship slated to deploy ‘early’ 2026 North Korea still lacks a suitable naval base to host its new class of large warships, despite leader Kim Jong Un’s vow to deploy the first vessel “early” this year, according to NK Pro analysis. Planet Labs imagery shows construction has not resumed on a large naval base project that started 12 years ago in […] The post North Korea still lacks naval base for new warship slated to deploy ‘early’ 2026 appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korean hackers steal $285M from crypto exchange in largest heist this year North Korean cybercriminals stole at least $285 million from a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange last week after an elaborate six-month operation to infiltrate the platform, marking the largest heist of its kind so far this year. The attackers targeted Drift Protocol, a crypto exchange built on the Solana blockchain, on April 1, blockchain analytics firms TRM […] The post North Korean hackers steal $285M from crypto exchange in largest heist this year appeared first on NK PRO.

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Why Kim Yo Jong’s promotion doesn’t tell the full story of her rise The promotion of the North Korean leader’s sister Kim Yo Jong to the role of department director has triggered widespread speculation about the extent of her political influence, suggesting that Kim Jong Un seeks to reinforce his control by installing family members in key positions. But a closer look at organizational changes within the party […] The post Why Kim Yo Jong’s promotion doesn’t tell the full story of her rise appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea slams UN resolution on its human rights abuses as a ‘provocation’ North Korean state media this week denounced the U.N. Human Rights Council’s latest resolution criticizing its human rights record as a “political fraud document” and “provocation,” issuing a warning to countries who participated in the “slander” — which included South Korea. Official outlets again made no mention of the U.S. war with Iran or the […] The post North Korea slams UN resolution on its human rights abuses as a ‘provocation’ appeared first on NK PRO.

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Construction to upgrade North Korea’s space launch complex enters new stage A yearslong construction project to upgrade North Korea’s main space launch complex has entered a new stage, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, after leader Kim Jong Un renewed his call for establishing a spy satellite program. Planet Labs high-resolution imagery taken on April 1 of the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground shows that […] The post Construction to upgrade North Korea’s space launch complex enters new stage appeared first on NK PRO.

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Pyongyang likely preparing to host hundreds at compound used for leader summits North Korea appears to be preparing to host a large number of high-level foreign visitors for a special event, after rapidly constructing two hotel-sized buildings and another mansion inside a state guesthouse compound for visiting leaders, NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery shows. Planet Labs imagery and new state media footage has revealed detailed views […] The post Pyongyang likely preparing to host hundreds at compound used for leader summits appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea in March 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead About the Month in Review Every month, NK Pro conducts an in-depth analytic review of news on the Korean Peninsula. This Month in Review covers the period of Feb. 1, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2026. In addition to an executive summary providing top-line findings, the following review includes detailed analysis on a wide range of […] The post North Korea in March 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korean ship docks at southern Chinese port in likely sanctions breach A newly acquired North Korean vessel made a rare voyage to China’s southernmost port known for handling coal and iron, NK Pro analysis of maritime data shows, a trip that experts said underscored China’s continued disregard for DPRK sanctions. The North Korea-flagged Puyun 6 (IMO 8749195) docked at China’s Port of Fangcheng in the Gulf […] The post North Korean ship docks at southern Chinese port in likely sanctions breach appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea signals US policy importance in diplomatic corps photo The North Korean foreign ministry has signaled that U.S. relations remain a key policy concern of leader Kim Jong Un, according to NK Pro analysis of a group photo featuring the country’s diplomats. The photo taken after last week’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) session shows Kim Un Chol, vice-minister for U.S. affairs at the Ministry […] The post North Korea signals US policy importance in diplomatic corps photo appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea may be hiding missile site behind new tree farm, imagery suggests A large-scale construction project at a North Korean missile test site appears to be modeled after an existing military-run tree nursery, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, pointing to a possible attempt to obfuscate military activities at both locations. The new construction is located at the Korean People’s Army (KPA) Training Base No. […] The post North Korea may be hiding missile site behind new tree farm, imagery suggests appeared first on NK PRO.

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In Belarus, Trump could find a mediator for talks with Kim Jong Un Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko flew eight hours from Minsk to Pyongyang, spent one night and met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, then flew eight hours home — all in the same week the Trump administration reportedly discussed inviting him to the U.S. While the Belarusian leader received a warm reception in Pyongyang, it […] The post In Belarus, Trump could find a mediator for talks with Kim Jong Un appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea lionizes Kim Jong Un’s reelection and diplomacy with Belarus North Korean state media this week split its focus between the first session of the new Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) and a visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, using both events to elevate leader Kim Jong Un. The SPA session from Sunday to Monday repeatedly featured in state media coverage, with Kim formally reelected as […] The post North Korea lionizes Kim Jong Un’s reelection and diplomacy with Belarus appeared first on NK PRO.

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Why Kim Jong Un decided to launch a new ‘police system’ in North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s plan to adopt a new “police system” sets up big changes in how the state exerts control over the lives of its citizens, in what appears to be a response to the challenges from a younger generation shaped by greater access to outside information. In a speech at the […] The post Why Kim Jong Un decided to launch a new ‘police system’ in North Korea appeared first on NK PRO.

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North Korea endorses e-buses over ‘outdated’ trams to cut costs: imagery North Korea has removed an entire tram line in eastern Pyongyang to make way for electric buses, NK Pro analysis confirmed, in a bid to improve public transportation and cut electricity use following reported complaints from residents. Pyongyang moved to replace trams with electric buses on its east side after over 30 years of service, […] The post North Korea endorses e-buses over ‘outdated’ trams to cut costs: imagery appeared first on NK PRO.

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All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession Kim Jong Un’s daughter may not have been codified as successor at the recent Ninth Party Congress, but her steady stream of appearances this year have still fanned the flames of speculation about whether she is indeed next in line to lead North Korea. The teenage girl, believed to be named Ju Ae, has been […] The post All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession appeared first on NK PRO.

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All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession Kim Jong Un’s daughter may not have been codified as successor at the recent Ninth Party Congress, but her steady stream of appearances this year have still fanned the flames of speculation about whether she is indeed next in line to lead North Korea. The teenage girl, believed to be named Ju Ae, has been […] The post All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession appeared first on NK PRO.

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All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession Kim Jong Un’s daughter may not have been codified as successor at the recent Ninth Party Congress, but her steady stream of appearances this year have still fanned the flames of speculation about whether she is indeed next in line to lead North Korea. The teenage girl, believed to be named Ju Ae, has been […] The post All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession appeared first on NK PRO.

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All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession Kim Jong Un’s daughter may not have been codified as successor at the recent Ninth Party Congress, but her steady stream of appearances this year have still fanned the flames of speculation about whether she is indeed next in line to lead North Korea. The teenage girl, believed to be named Ju Ae, has been […] The post All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession appeared first on NK PRO.

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All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession Kim Jong Un’s daughter may not have been codified as successor at the recent Ninth Party Congress, but her steady stream of appearances this year have still fanned the flames of speculation about whether she is indeed next in line to lead North Korea. The teenage girl, believed to be named Ju Ae, has been […] The post All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession appeared first on NK PRO.

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All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession Kim Jong Un’s daughter may not have been codified as successor at the recent Ninth Party Congress, but her steady stream of appearances this year have still fanned the flames of speculation about whether she is indeed next in line to lead North Korea. The teenage girl, believed to be named Ju Ae, has been […] The post All the reasons Kim Jong Un’s daughter keeps showing up, beyond just succession appeared first on NK PRO.

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