Pyongyang began to crack down on public use of the word “tongil” and banned hundreds of patriotic songs that referred to reunification as the ultimate goal of the Korean people.

This change aligns with North Korea’s efforts to promote its ideology and distance itself from the idea of reunification with South Korea, following its leader Kim Jong-un's declaration of the “two-state theory” last year.

One direct consequence is shown in North Korea’s plans to rename the “unification pattern” (or “tongil tul” in Korean) in taekwon-do to “Chang Hon pattern” after the pen name of Choi Hong-hi, founder of the martial art.

The International Taekwondo Federation is set to put this issue to a vote at the next congress in October 2025.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited flood-hit areas in North Pyongan province for the fourth time, urging the completion of reconstruction works before the December party plenary meeting.

Kim inspected the construction of new homes and infrastructure and expressed satisfaction with the rebuilding progress.

However, it is reported that officials at multiple levels overseeing flood recovery efforts have been profiting from aid supplies, including food, clothing and construction materials, thus hindering the recovery progress.

Although construction workers have confronted officials over the embezzlements which led to increased surveillance by the Ministry of State Security, investigations into the corruption were delayed to avoid disrupting reconstruction works in light of the December deadline.

According to North Korean state media, Korean Central News Agency (“KCNA”), its leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a test of suicide drones and ordered a mass production of the aerial weapon.

KCNA reported that Kim “underscored the need to build a serial production system as early as possible.” 

The drones are designed to hit both land and sea targets, thereby acting as guided missiles. 

This rapid development of loitering munitions, which are widely used in the Russia-Ukraine war as well as in the Middle East, raises questions as to whether North Korea has been receiving technical support from Russia amidst their growing military cooperations.

Pyongyang may have deployed as many as 100,000 troops to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.

In return for its support, North Korea is expected to receive economic and military aid from Russia. South Korean intelligence estimates that Russia is paying about $2,000 USD per month to each soldier.

However, a defense researcher and North Korea specialist, Bruce W. Bennett, suggests that “money coming from Russia is going directly to the party and then on to the Kim family. ...Perhaps only a small amount or even nothing” will be pocketed by the soldiers themselves.

Meanwhile, many speculate that North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine will become “cannon fodder” on the battlefield as former soldiers suggest that “they’re totally not ready.”