North Korea has aired its first ever beer commercial on its state-run television, and it’s pretty spectacular. Don’t worry — we’re pretty sure it doesn’t make any more sense if you speak Korean.
North Korea 
Time to deal North Korea the China card
The only nation with real influence in Pyongyang is China, says Doug Bandow. If they can be influenced to cut off aid and commerce to the country, some real change might be possible.
Time to acknowledge North Korea’s terror
A year has passed since George Bush removed North Korea from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. It’s time we put them back on it, says Joshua Stanton .
Inside North Korea’s gulags
More than 500,000 people may have perished in Pyongyang’s labour camps since they were established in the 1970s, with prisoners enduring beatings, forced abortions, infanticide, rape, torture and public executions.
The Six-Party dream is over
Having cajoled Pyongyang back to the table and extracted a commitment to phased nuclear disarmament, the Six-Party talks always seemed promising. No longer, writes the Lowy Institute’s Raoul Heinrichs.
Who’s willing to talk with North Korea?
With two US journalists facing 12 years in North Korean labour camps, someone needs to start talking to the reclusive dictatorship. Enter Bill Richardson, Al Gore and Jesse Jackson.
US should get tougher with North Korea: Kissinger
Pyongyang has “vituperatively rejected” the Obama administration’s diplomatic overtures. So, should they manage North Korea’s nuclear arsenal or eliminate it? writes former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger.
US journos sentenced to 12 years in North Korean jail
Two US journalists arrested in North Korea while reporting along the China-North Korea border have been sentenced to 12 years in labor prisons.
Korean War II
As China purchases American debt, the US lose their ability to pressure China over North Korea. America will rue the day, says Jeffrey Kuhner.
My kingdom for a Choco Pie
North Koreans have developed a taste for South Korea’s most popular bikkie, and it threatens to undermine their whole political structure. Ruth Brown investigates.
North Korea’s next Kim
Meet Kim Jong Un, Kim Jon Il’s favourite son and the likely successor to the North Korean dictator’s throne.
North Korea all a-Twitter
Someone’s been impersonating North Korea on Twitter — and the hermit kingdom isn’t happy about it.
North Korea: we don’t know squat
It’s time to face the facts on North Korea, says former CIA officer Robert Baer: Washington is completely in the dark about Pyongyang and its intentions.
Families of American journos held in North Korea speak out
Two American journalists are to face trial in North Korea this week on charges of “hostile acts against the state” and “illegal entry”, amidst growing hostilities between the two countries.
North Korea as seen by Google Earth
We all know Google Earth is kind of amazing, but what can you find out about traditionally closed off places with its technology and others like it? Rather a lot apparently!
Japan, North Korea and nuclear weapons… awkward
Japan itself poses an obstacle to denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, write Kawasaki Akira and Meri Joyce.
He’s no roony: there’s method in Kim’s madness
Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction; it got invaded. North Korea tested a nuclear bomb three years ago; it got a mixture of bribes and angry rhetoric. That explains everything.
North Korea: just take a deep breath
The best response to North Korea’s attention-seeking behaviour may be no response at all, argues Fred Kaplan.
Crikey wrap: a Nuclear North Korea timeline
North Korea’s latest nuclear weapons and missile tests have set the political world abuzz. Crikey intern Nicola Heath looks back at the history and what people are saying now.
North Korea: a timeline
The NY Times gives a visual history of one of the world’s most dangerous and mysterious countries.
Breakfast Media Wrap: Our new Leader of the Opposition
Richard Farmer dishes out the best of the morning media.
Al Jazeera: North Korea conducts nuclear test
Al Jazeera reports on North Korea’s recent nuclear test.
Another goose-step backwards with North Korea
There are no easy answers when dealing with a state whose behaviour is unpredictable. The rule is: there is no rule, says Paul Reynolds.
How chocolate biscuits could bring down North Korea
North Koreans are developing a taste for South Korean culture — specifically, a chocolate biscuit called the Choco Pie, now considered the “sweet symbol of capitalism”.
Will Obama act to save captive US journalists?
Three American journalists, one in Iran and two in North Korea, are currently imprisoned under dubious charges. What — if anything — will Obama do to save them?
