All North Korea Newspapers

A Guide to the State-Run Press of North Korea

Welcome to your guide to the newspapers of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), or North Korea. It is essential to understand that the media landscape in North Korea is unlike any other in the world. There are no independent newspapers, and all media outlets are completely state-owned and controlled by the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea. The primary function of the press is not to report objective news but to serve as a vital instrument of state propaganda, ideology, and social control.

The Official Organs of the Party and State

The North Korean press is centered around a few key publications that disseminate the official directives and viewpoints of the party and its leadership. These are the only newspapers available in the country.

• Rodong Sinmun (The Workers’ Daily): This is the most important and authoritative newspaper in North Korea. As the official organ of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, its editorials and articles are considered the definitive word on party policy and ideology. Its content, which focuses heavily on the activities and guidance of the supreme leader, is required reading for party members and is often broadcasted by state radio and television.

• Minju Choson (The Democratic Korea): This is the official newspaper of the government of the DPRK, specifically the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly and the Cabinet. While Rodong Sinmun represents the Party, Minju Choson speaks for the government administration.

• The Pyongyang Times: As North Korea’s primary foreign-language newspaper, The Pyongyang Times is published in English and other languages. It is aimed squarely at an international audience, including diplomats, academics, and foreign visitors. Its purpose is to present the country’s official narrative to the outside world, promoting its ideology and defending its policies.

The Central Hub of All News

All information disseminated by North Korean media originates from a single, central source:

• Korean Central News Agency (KCNA): The KCNA is the official state news agency of the DPRK. It is the sole provider of all news for every newspaper, radio, and television station in the country. The KCNA’s reports, which are carefully crafted to align with the state’s message, form the basis of all content published in the papers listed above.

Content and Accessibility

The content of North Korean newspapers does not resemble that of a free press. It consists primarily of praise for the supreme leader, political slogans, reports on achieving production goals, and condemnations of perceived hostile foreign powers, particularly the United States and South Korea. Objective reporting, criticism of the government, or diverse viewpoints are entirely absent.

For ordinary citizens, access to these physical newspapers is often through public display boards in subway stations, factories, and on farms, where they are read collectively.

To understand North Korea, one must understand its media. Our collection at w3worldnewspapers.com provides access to the official state press, offering a direct and unfiltered look into the propaganda and official messaging of the DPRK government.

A Guide to the State-Run Press of North Korea

Welcome to your guide to the newspapers of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), or North Korea. It is essential to understand that the media landscape in North Korea is unlike any other in the world. There are no independent newspapers, and all media outlets are completely controlled by the state and the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea. The concept of a free press does not exist; instead, newspapers serve as official organs of the state, functioning as primary tools for propaganda, indoctrination, and the promotion of the state’s ideology, known as Juche.

The Official Voice of the Party and State

The newspaper industry in North Korea is centralized in the capital, Pyongyang. The content of these publications is not “news” in the traditional sense of objective reporting, but rather a carefully curated selection of information that glorifies the Supreme Leader, details the activities of the party, and reinforces the government’s official narrative on all domestic and international matters.

• Rodong Sinmun (The Workers’ Newspaper): This is the most important and authoritative newspaper in North Korea. As the official organ of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, its editorials and articles are considered the definitive statement of the regime’s official position. Its front page is almost always dedicated to the activities and pronouncements of the Supreme Leader.

• Minju Choson (Democratic Korea): This is the official newspaper of the government of the DPRK, specifically the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly and the Cabinet. It focuses on administrative and governmental affairs.

• The Pyongyang Times: This is the primary foreign-language newspaper, published weekly in English and French. It is aimed at an international audience and visitors to North Korea, such as diplomats and tourists. Its content largely consists of translations and summaries of articles from Rodong Sinmun, curated to present a positive image of the country to the outside world.

The State News Agency

All news disseminated by North Korean newspapers originates from a single, official source:

• Korean Central News Agency (KCNA): The KCNA is the state-run news agency of North Korea. It is the sole conduit for all news and information for both domestic publications and for release to the international community. All newspapers and broadcasters in the country report information as it is distributed by the KCNA.

Access and Consumption

For the general population in North Korea, access to these newspapers is a part of daily life. The papers are famously displayed in public cases at subway stations, workplaces, and on public squares, where citizens gather to read the day’s official news. There is no access to foreign newspapers or independent media within the country.

While a “newspaper” in North Korea serves a very different purpose than in most other countries, understanding these publications is essential for anyone seeking to analyze the official messaging and propaganda of the DPRK government. Our collection on w3worldnewspapers.com provides access to these official state-run sources.