North Korea’s first ballistic missile test of 2026 saw several missiles launched from the Pyongyang area into the sea east of the peninsula, just days before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to China,

Donald Trump signed a batch of executive orders several months ago from the Oval Office. During Q&A with the press, Trump needlessly bragged to a reporter that he knows more about North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un than she does.

Kim Jong Un's bodyguards are subjected to extensive tests of health, fitness, intelligence, martial arts, looks, and loyalty. Only the best are chosen.

Asia in 2026 is not on the brink of war. But the region will be more volatile than it has been in recent memory.

North Korea on Thursday showed signs of progress in building a nuclear-powered submarine, with state media images revealing a nearly finished hull, even as the country's top leader, Kim Jong Un, denounced rival South Korea's efforts to obtain the technology.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has denounced South Korea’s plan with the U.S. to develop nuclear-powered submarines, calling it an “offensive act.” Inspecting a nearly completed nuclear submarine, Kim warned the move would destabilize the Korean Peninsula and justified accelerating Pyongyang’s nuclear naval buildup.

Relations with Beijing will also improve considerably. North Korea will seek normalisation of trade relations and economic assistance from China, while China will attempt to manage conflict escalation on the Korean Peninsula. Both China and Russia are likely to show a more tolerant attitude towards North Korea’s nuclear weapons status.

Kim Jong Un seeks to portray the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance as obsolete, dangerous or morally compromised,

Kim Jong Un continues to center his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, at official ceremonies that suggests she is his political heir.

Asia is heading into an increasingly precarious year, with deepening tensions that will have a cascading effect on all of us.