Last month vs this month
September 2026 vs October 2026
Pyongyang is still the only real light in North Korea, while Seoul and northeast China blaze. The Sinuiju-Dandong border crossing - where Kim crossed into China on 24 October - shows as a faint string of lights.
LAST MONTH
A clear, moonless night. Pyongyang and a thin line of light along the Chinese border at Sinuiju; the rest of the country black.
THIS MONTH
Pyongyang is still the only real light in North Korea, while Seoul and northeast China blaze. The Sinuiju-Dandong border crossing - where Kim crossed into China on 24 October - shows as a faint string of lights.
The archive
Every month, with dates
Clouds and moonlight can change brightness slightly, so we always pick a clear night near the new moon. Images: NASA VIIRS Day/Night Band via NASA Worldview (public domain).
OCTOBER 2026
Pyongyang is still the only real light in North Korea, while Seoul and northeast China blaze. The Sinuiju-Dandong border crossing - where Kim crossed into China on 24 October - shows as a faint string of lights.
SEPTEMBER 2026
A clear, moonless night. Pyongyang and a thin line of light along the Chinese border at Sinuiju; the rest of the country black.
AUGUST 2026
Summer nights: Pyongyang a small glow, the rest of North Korea almost completely dark next to South Korea and northeast China.
Why is it so dark?
Power cuts, solar panels and the electricity that goes to China.