WEATHER ALERT
North Korea vows response to US submarine's visit to South Korea
Read full article: North Korea vows response to US submarine's visit to South KoreaThe powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to boost the countryโs nuclear war capability and take other steps to protest the recent arrival of a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine in South Korea.
Sister of North Korean leader Kim hints at resuming flying trash balloons toward South Korea
Read full article: Sister of North Korean leader Kim hints at resuming flying trash balloons toward South KoreaThe powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is vowing to respond to what she calls a fresh South Korean civilian leafleting campaign.
Sister of North Korean leader Kim calls South Korea's live-fire drills 'suicidal hysteria'
Read full article: Sister of North Korean leader Kim calls South Korea's live-fire drills 'suicidal hysteria'The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called South Koreaโs recent front-line live-fire drills โsuicidal hysteriaโ as she threatened unspecified military steps if further provoked.
Seoul says North Korea has resumed balloon launches likely to drop trash in South Korea
Read full article: Seoul says North Korea has resumed balloon launches likely to drop trash in South KoreaSouth Koreaโs military says North Korea has launched more balloons likely carrying trash toward South Korea.
South Korea summons Russian ambassador as tensions rise with North Korea
Read full article: South Korea summons Russian ambassador as tensions rise with North KoreaSouth Korea has summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a defense pact with North Korea, two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement vowing mutual defense with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on a state visit to Pyongyang.
South Korea resumes broadcasting anti-North Korea propaganda at border in response to trash balloons
Read full article: South Korea resumes broadcasting anti-North Korea propaganda at border in response to trash balloonsSouth Korea has resumed anti-North Korean propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts in border areas in retaliation for the North sending over 1,000 balloons filled with trash and manure over the last couple of weeks.
Will North Korea fly trash balloons into South Korea again? A look at rising tensions between them
Read full article: Will North Korea fly trash balloons into South Korea again? A look at rising tensions between themSouth Koreans are alert for possible new launches by North Korea of balloons carrying rubbish into the South, a day after Seoul activists flew their own balloons to scatter political leaflets in the North.
South Korean group flies propaganda leaflets across border following North's trash-balloon launches
Read full article: South Korean group flies propaganda leaflets across border following North's trash-balloon launchesA South Korean activistsโ group has flown large balloons carrying propaganda leaflets toward North Korea, which has threatened to send more balloons with manure and trash across the border in response.
North Korea sends hundreds more trash-carrying balloons to South Korea
Read full article: North Korea sends hundreds more trash-carrying balloons to South KoreaSouth Koreaโs military says North Korea launched more trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea, following a similar campaign earlier in the week as it continues to retaliate against activists flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border.
North Korea's Kim enjoys a Russian luxury limousine gifted by Putin as the two nations expand ties
Read full article: North Korea's Kim enjoys a Russian luxury limousine gifted by Putin as the two nations expand tiesNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un's new ride is a Russian luxury limousine gifted by President Vladimir Putin.
South Korea accuses North of firing artillery into sea for 3rd straight day, as Kim sister mocks it
Read full article: South Korea accuses North of firing artillery into sea for 3rd straight day, as Kim sister mocks itSouth Korea has accused North Korea of firing artillery shells near their tense sea boundary for a third straight day.
North Korea's ambassador blames US for regional tensions in a rare appearance at UN Security Council
Read full article: North Korea's ambassador blames US for regional tensions in a rare appearance at UN Security CouncilNorth Koreaโs U.N. ambassador has defended his countryโs recent long-range missile launch in a rare appearance at the U.N. Security Council.
Kim vows to boost North Korea's nuclear capability after observing new long-range missile launch
Read full article: Kim vows to boost North Korea's nuclear capability after observing new long-range missile launchNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to bolster his countryโs nuclear fighting capabilities as he supervised the second test-flight of a new intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the mainland United States.
North Korean leader's powerful sister says warplanes repelled US spy plane
Read full article: North Korean leader's powerful sister says warplanes repelled US spy planeThe powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has alleged that the countryโs warplanes repelled a U.S. spy plane that flew over its exclusive economic zone.
A US nuclear-powered sub arrives in South Korea, a day after North Korea resumes its missile tests
Read full article: A US nuclear-powered sub arrives in South Korea, a day after North Korea resumes its missile testsThe United States has deployed a nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying about 150 Tomahawk missiles to South Korea.
North Korean leader's sister vows 2nd attempt to launch spy satellite, slams UN meeting
Read full article: North Korean leader's sister vows 2nd attempt to launch spy satellite, slams UN meetingThe influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed again to push for a second launch of a spy satellite.
North Korean leader's sister says US hypocritical for criticizing failed satellite launch
Read full article: North Korean leader's sister says US hypocritical for criticizing failed satellite launchThe sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the United States of โgangster-likeโ hypocrisy for criticizing her countryโs failed launch of a military spy satellite and insisted a successful launch will be made soon.
North Korea slams US over decision to send tanks to Ukraine
Read full article: North Korea slams US over decision to send tanks to UkraineNorth Korea has condemned the United States over its decision to supply Ukraine with advanced battle tanks to help fight off Russia's invasion, saying that Washington is escalating a sinister โproxy warโ aimed at destroying Moscow.
Kim's sister makes insulting threats to Seoul over sanctions
Read full article: Kim's sister makes insulting threats to Seoul over sanctionsThe powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has attacked South Korea with a string of insults for considering new unilateral sanctions against the North.
S. Korea says it has ability to intercept North's missiles
Read full article: S. Korea says it has ability to intercept North's missilesSouth Korea's military says itโs capable of detecting and intercepting the variety of missiles that North Korea has launched in a barrage of recent simulated nuclear attacks on its rivals.
Activist floats balloons again despite North Korea's warning
Read full article: Activist floats balloons again despite North Korea's warningAn activist says he has again flown huge balloons carrying COVID-19 relief items and an anti-North Korea placard across the tense inter-Korean border despite the Northโs recent warning of a deadly attack over his activities.
US, S. Korea open biggest drills in years amid North threats
Read full article: US, S. Korea open biggest drills in years amid North threatsThe United States and South Korea are holding their biggest combined military training in years as they heighten their defense posture against the growing North Korean nuclear threat.
North Korea dismisses Seoul's aid offer as 'foolish' repeat
Read full article: North Korea dismisses Seoul's aid offer as 'foolish' repeatThe sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says her country will never accept South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeolโs โfoolishโ offer of economic benefits in exchange for denuclearization steps, accusing Seoul of recycling rejected proposals from the past.
Kim's sister enraged by Seoul's preemptive strike comments
Read full article: Kim's sister enraged by Seoul's preemptive strike commentsThe influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called the South Korean defense minister a โscum-like guyโ for talking about preemptive strikes on the North and warned the South may face โa serious threat.โ.
EXPLAINER: Kim's sister leads N. Korea's pressure campaign
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Kim's sister leads N. Korea's pressure campaignAs North Korea goes back to its pattern of pressuring South Korea to get what it wants from the United States, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un has emerged as the face of its campaign of mixing weapons demonstrations and peace offers.
North Korea's Kim seeks better ties with South, but slams US
Read full article: North Korea's Kim seeks better ties with South, but slams USNorth Korea leader Kim Jong Un has expressed willingness to restore stalled communication lines with South Korea to promote peace in early October, while he shrugged off recent U.S. offers for dialogue.
Kim's sister: NKorea willing to talk if Seoul shows respect
Read full article: Kim's sister: NKorea willing to talk if Seoul shows respectThe powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says her country will take steps to repair ties with South Korea, and may even discuss another summit between their leaders, if the South drops what she described as hostility and double standards.
EXPLAINER: Why North Korea wants sanctions lifted first
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Why North Korea wants sanctions lifted firstDays after outgoing South Korean President Moon Jae-in made possibly his last ambitious push to diplomatically resolve the standoff over North Koreaโs nuclear program, the North has rejected his call for a declaration ending the Korean War, making it clear it has no interest in political statements unless they bring badly needed relief from crippling economic sanctions.
N. Korea offers talks, likely trying to get sanctions relief
Read full article: N. Korea offers talks, likely trying to get sanctions reliefThe influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says her country is willing to resume talks with South Korea if conditions are met, indicating it wants Seoul to persuade Washington to relax crippling economic sanctions.
North Korea says it tested rail-launched ballistic missiles
Read full article: North Korea says it tested rail-launched ballistic missilesNorth Korea said it successfully launched ballistic missiles from a train for the first time and was continuing to bolster its defenses, after the two Koreas test-fired missiles hours apart in dueling displays of military might.
N. Korea shows off civil defense units in toned-down parade
Read full article: N. Korea shows off civil defense units in toned-down paradeCivil defense forces carrying rifles and health workers wearing gas masks and red hazmat suits have paraded in North Koreaโs capital in a celebration of the nationโs 73rd anniversary that was a marked departure from past militaristic displays.
N Korea repeats threat as US says joint drills are defensive
Read full article: N Korea repeats threat as US says joint drills are defensiveNorth Korea has repeated a threat to respond to U.S.-South Korean military exercises it claims are an invasion rehearsal, while the United States insisted the drills were โpurely defensive in natureโ to maintain the Southโs security.
N Korea vows stronger attack capabilities over allied drills
Read full article: N Korea vows stronger attack capabilities over allied drillsThe powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ripped South Korea for proceeding with military exercises with the United States she says are an invasion rehearsal.
South Korea seeks to improve ties despite North's threat
Read full article: South Korea seeks to improve ties despite North's threatSouth Korea says itโll keep pushing to improve ties and resume talks with rival North Korea, despite the Northโs threat to rekindle animosities if Seoul continues with its upcoming military drills with the United States.
Kim's sister warns S. Korea-US drills will rekindle tensions
Read full article: Kim's sister warns S. Korea-US drills will rekindle tensionsThe powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned that next monthโs annual military drills between South Korean and U.S. troops will undermine prospects for better ties between the Koreas, just days after the rivals reopened their long-dormant communication channels.
North Korea's foreign minister says no interest in US talks
Read full article: North Korea's foreign minister says no interest in US talksNorth Koreaโs foreign minister says his country is not even considering a resumption of stalled nuclear talks with the United States, dismissing hopes expressed by U.S. and South Korean officials for a quick resumption of negotiations.
Kim sister derides US official, dismisses chances for talks
Read full article: Kim sister derides US official, dismisses chances for talksThe powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dismissed prospects for an early resumption of diplomacy with the United States, saying that U_S_ expectations of talks would โplunge them into a greater disappointment.โ.
EXPLAINER: What N Korean missile tests mean for US relations
Read full article: EXPLAINER: What N Korean missile tests mean for US relationsTwo months after President Joe Biden took office, North Korea is again turning to weapons tests to wrest outside concessions. That indicates Washington has a window of engagement before North Korea pursues bigger provocations. Later in 2017, four days after current South Korean President Moon Jae-in was inaugurated, North Korea fired what it called a newly developed, nuclear-capable intermediate-range missile. North Korea could turn to long-range missile and even nuclear tests, which Kim Jong Un suspended when he began engaging diplomatically with Washington. Given its current tensions with Washington, China may not easily agree to more sanctions even if North Korea engages in long-range missile or nuclear tests, analyst Cha said.
White House: North Korea conducted short-range missile test
Read full article: White House: North Korea conducted short-range missile testThe missile tests were confirmed by two senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity. AdSouth Koreaโs military said in a statement Wednesday that it had detected two suspected cruise missile launches by North Korea on Sunday morning. The statement said South Korea is closely monitoring North Korean missile activities in cooperation with the United States, but noted it doesnโt publicize all its information about North Korea. U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from engaging in any ballistic activities, but not cruise missile tests. But a Biden administration officials added that the Biden administration does not view the weekendโs missile tests as closing the door to such talks.
EXPLAINER: NKorea's anger to US may actually be an overture
Read full article: EXPLAINER: NKorea's anger to US may actually be an overtureThe frustration and belligerence, however, may actually be an overture. AdWhether any negotiations happen may depend on the Biden administration's policy review on North Korea, which is expected to be completed in coming weeks. ___WHAT NORTH KOREA IS SAYINGOn Tuesday, Kim Jong Unโs powerful sister berated the latest U.S.-South Korean military exercises, which were scheduled to end a nine-day run on Thursday. โThereโs probably going to be serious opposition from the Northโ over Blinken's human rights comments, said Park Won Gon, a professor of North Korea studies at Seoulโs Ewha Womans University. But, Shin said, โthey will keep any dramatic action on hold at least until the Biden administrationโs North Korea policy review is out."
Top US diplomat slams North Korea's rights condition
Read full article: Top US diplomat slams North Korea's rights conditionU.S.-led diplomacy on North Koreaโs nuclear program has been in limbo since a February 2019 summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un collapsed over disputes on U.S.-led sanctions. While in Tokyo on Tuesday, Blinken said that Washington reached out to North Korea through several channels starting in mid-February, but it hasnโt received any response. Iran hasnโt built any bomb, but North Korea has already manufactured dozens. AdโEveryone can say easily that (settling for) a nuclear freeze would allow North Korea to preserve its existing nukes. But I ask them what other options do they haveโ to realize North Koreaโs denuclearization, said Kim Yeol Soo, an analyst with South Koreaโs Korea Institute for Military Affairs.
White House sets low expectations for China talks in Alaska
Read full article: White House sets low expectations for China talks in Alaska(Kiyoshi Ota/Pool Photo via AP)The White House is setting low expectations ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivanโs first face-to-face meeting with their Chinese counterparts in Anchorage, Alaska. But ahead of the meeting, a senior administration official described the talks as a chance for the two sides for โtaking stockโ in the relationship. โWe will push back if necessary when China uses coercion or aggression to get its way,โ Blinken said before departing Japan. AdThe Republican courted China on trade and took pride in forging what he saw as a strong relationship with Xi Jinping. On negotiating many of the pressing issues in the relationship, the White House is โsimply not there yet," the senior administration official said.
N Korea warns US not to 'cause a stink' before Seoul meeting
Read full article: N Korea warns US not to 'cause a stink' before Seoul meetingFILE - In this March 2, 2019, file photo, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, attends a wreath-laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam. Her statement was issued on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Asia to talk to U.S. allies Japan and South Korea about North Korea and other regional issues. Kim Yo Jongโs statement was issued as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Asia to talk with U.S. allies Japan and South Korea about North Korea and other regional issues. AdShe said the North would also consider scrapping an office that handled South Korean tours to the Northโs scenic Diamond Mountain, which Seoul suspended in 2008 after a North Korean guard fatally shot a South Korean tourist. In the past, the North has often responded with U.S.-South Korea drills with missile tests.
Demoted? Pushed aside? Fate of Kim Jong Un's sister unclear
Read full article: Demoted? Pushed aside? Fate of Kim Jong Un's sister unclear(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool, File)SEOUL โ What has happened to Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leaderโs influential sister? Some say Kim Jong Un may have demoted his sister over general policy failures. Kim Yo Jong hasn't been purged or forced to quit politics, a fate that some officials have met under Kim Jong Un, and she still retains her membership in the partyโs Central Committee, also a high-level body. Previously little known to outsiders, Kim Yo Jong has soared politically since her brother inherited power after their father, Kim Jong Il, died in late 2011. โKim Yo Jong can meet and talk to Kim Jong Un freely anytime ... so we canโt help saying that she has a tremendous influence,โ Oh said.
N. Korea's Kim adds title: General secretary of ruling party
Read full article: N. Korea's Kim adds title: General secretary of ruling partyDuring the meeting, Kim also vowed to build more sophisticated nuclear weapons, disclosed economic developmental goals and reshuffled party officials. During a 2016 party congress, he was named party chairman and before that had led the party with the title of first secretary. But general secretary has important symbolism in the country led by dynastic rule since it was the title held by his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung. When Kim Jong Un inherited the countryโs leadership upon his fatherโs death in late 2011, some foreign experts initially questioned his grip on power. Cheong Seong-Chang, a fellow at the Wilson Centerโs Asia Program, said Kim likely restored the old general secretary title after determining that it would further benefit his dictatorship.
EXPLAINER: What's behind N. Korea's biggest political event
Read full article: EXPLAINER: What's behind N. Korea's biggest political eventNorth Korea has opened its biggest political event in five years amid what some experts see as the most fraught moment of leader Kim Jong Uns nine-year rule. Here are a few things to know about the biggest political event of the year in North Korea:___WHAT IS IT? Some experts say Kim Jong Ilโs โmilitary-firstโ policy helped undermine the influence of the Workersโ Party during his 17-year rule. During this monthโs congress, North Korea has said it will announce new economic developmental goals for the next five years. Others says North Korea, which recently completed an 80-day โproductivity campaign,โ might call for more such campaigns to squeeze its people for increased labor.
N Korea's Kim boasts of his nukes amid stalled talks with US
Read full article: N Korea's Kim boasts of his nukes amid stalled talks with USPeople visit the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum to lay flowers on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, which the country celebrates as the day of "victory in the fatherland liberation war" in Pyongyang, Monday, July 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)
N Korea's Kim boasts of his nukes amid stalled talks with US
Read full article: N Korea's Kim boasts of his nukes amid stalled talks with USNorth Korea has previously ratcheted up fiery rhetoric or conducted weapons tests to wrest outside concessions. Kim hasnโt performed such high-profile weapons tests, which some analysts say could completely derail diplomacy with the United States. North Koreaโs economic difficulties were believed to have worsened due to the coronavirus pandemic, which led North Korea to seal its border with China, its biggest trading partner and economic pipeline, in January. North Korea has so far there has been no virus patient on its territory, a claim questioned by outside experts. Experts say a pandemic in North Korea could cause devastating consequences because of its broken health care system and lack of medical supplies.
Pompeo downplays possibility of summit with North Korea
Read full article: Pompeo downplays possibility of summit with North KoreaSEOUL U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo downplayed the possibility of another summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before the U.S. presidential election, saying Trump would only want to engage if there were real prospects of progress. But negotiations have faltered since their second summit in February 2019, where the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capability. Some analysts believe North Korea will avoid serious talks with the Americans for now before attempting an eventual return to negotiations after the U.S. election in November. They say North Korea likely doesnt want to make any major commitments or concessions when there is a chance U.S. leadership could change. The prolonged stalemate in nuclear talks have raised doubts on whether Kim Jong Un would ever agree to fully relinquish the nukes he likely sees as his strongest guarantee of survival.
US envoy, after Seoul visit, reassures Japan of alliance
Read full article: US envoy, after Seoul visit, reassures Japan of allianceU.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, left, and Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi greet each other prior to their bilateral meeting in Tokyo Friday, July 10, 2020. (Behrouz Mehri/Pool Photo via AP)
US envoy, after Seoul visit, reassures Japan of alliance
Read full article: US envoy, after Seoul visit, reassures Japan of allianceU.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun is in Tokyo after his visit to Seoul where he discussed nuclear diplomacy with North Korea, which has refused to resume talks due to what it calls hostile American policies. Biegun met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Taro Kono separately and reaffirmed the importance of their alliance in maintaining and strengthening โthe free and open Indo-Pacificโ and dealing with regional concerns including North Korea and China. In her statement released through Pyongyangโs official Korean Central News Agency, she called for major concessions from washing ton to keep alive the nuclear diplomacy. Kim Yo Jong is seen as her brotherโs closest confidant and was recently confirmed as his top official for inter-Korean affairs. He stressed during his meetings in Seoul that resuming the diplomacy with the North was important.
North Korean leader's sister says Kim-Trump summit unlikely
Read full article: North Korean leader's sister says Kim-Trump summit unlikelyU.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, left, and Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attend their bilateral meeting in Tokyo Friday, July 10, 2020. (Behrouz Mehri/Pool Photo via AP)
North Korean leader's sister says Kim-Trump summit unlikely
Read full article: North Korean leader's sister says Kim-Trump summit unlikelySEOUL โ The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Friday she doesnโt expect her brother to meet President Donald Trump this year, saying thereโs no reason for the North to gift Trump high-profile meetings when itโs not being substantially rewarded in return. โBut also, you never know,โ Kim Yo Jong said in a statement released through Pyongyangโs official Korean Central News Agency, where she called for major concessions from Washington to keep alive the nuclear diplomacy. โThatโs because a surprise thing may still happen, depending upon the judgement and decision between the two top leaders," Kim Yo Jong said. Trump and Kim Jong Un have met three times since embarking on high-stakes nuclear diplomacy in 2018. But negotiations have faltered since their second summit in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capability.
North Korea destroys empty liaison office with South
Read full article: North Korea destroys empty liaison office with SouthSouth Korea on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, says North Korea blew up an inter-Korean liaison office amid rising tensions between the rivals. (Korea Pool/Yonhap via AP, File)SEOUL โ North Korea blew up an inter-Korean liaison office building just north of the heavily armed border with South Korea on Tuesday, in a carefully choreographed, largely symbolic display of anger that puts pressure on Washington and Seoul amid deadlocked nuclear diplomacy. South Korea issued a statement expressing โstrong regretโ over the destruction of the building, warning of a stern response if North Korea takes additional steps that aggravate tensions. Moonโs government has faced criticism that it didnโt take tough measures when North Korea performed a series of short-range weapons tests targeting South Korea over the past year. South Korea said it would take steps to ban the leafleting, but North Korea argued that the South Korean response lacked sincerity.
N Korea's military to reenter inter-Korea cooperation sites
Read full article: N Korea's military to reenter inter-Korea cooperation sitesSouth Korea says that North Korea has exploded the inter-Korean liaison office building just north of the tense Korean border. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. Some outside experts have said these moves undermined South Korea's security more as the North's nuclear weapons arsenal remain intact. South Korea's government didn't immediately respond to the North Korean military statement. North Korea's moves have been a serious setback to Moon's efforts at engagement.
S Korea urges North to uphold deals amid rising animosities
Read full article: S Korea urges North to uphold deals amid rising animositiesFILE - In this March 2, 2019, file photo, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attends a wreath-laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam. (Jorge Silva/Pool Photo via AP, File)SEOUL South Korea on Sunday convened an emergency security meeting and urged North Korea to uphold reconciliation agreements, hours after the North threatened to demolish a liaison office and take military action against its rival. North Korea has recently abruptly resumed a fiery rhetoric against its southern neighbor, accusing it of failing to prevent activists from launching propaganda leaflets across their border. Some experts say North Korea is expressing its deep frustration over Seouls failure to revive lucrative joint economic projects and over a lack of progress in nuclear diplomacy with Washington. Such a move could deepen anti-Pyongyang sentiments make it difficult for the North to restore ties with South Korea when needed.
Kim Jong Un's sister threatens S. Korea with military action
Read full article: Kim Jong Un's sister threatens S. Korea with military actionNorth Korea on Saturday, June 13, 2020 again bashed South Korea, telling its rival to stop nonsensical talk about its denuclearization and vowing to expand its military capabilities. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)SEOUL The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threatened military action against South Korea as she bashed Seoul on Saturday over declining bilateral relations and its inability to stop activists from floating anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. For years, activists have floated huge balloons into North Korea carrying leaflets criticizing Kim Jong Un over his nuclear ambitions and dismal human rights record. The leafleting has sometimes triggered a furious response from North Korea, which bristles at any attempt to undermine its leadership. Trump and Kim met for a third time that year in June at the border between North and South Korea and agreed to resume talks.
North Korea threatens to shut liaison office with South
Read full article: North Korea threatens to shut liaison office with SouthFILE - In this July 29, 2010, file photo, South Korean conservative activists launch balloons carrying leaflets denouncing North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during a rally in Hwacheon, South Korea. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)SEOUL SEOUL, South KoreaNorth Korea threatened to permanently shut a liaison office with South Korea as it continued to condemn its rival for failing to prevent activists from sending anti-North Korean leaflets across the border. Sending balloons across the border has been a common activist tactic for years, but North Korea considers it an attack on its government. It combined South Korean capital and technology with cheap North Korean labor. Seouls previous conservative government shut it down in 2016 following a North Korean nuclear test, removing a crucial cash source for North Koreas struggling economy.
N. Korea threatens to halt military agreement over leaflets
Read full article: N. Korea threatens to halt military agreement over leafletsNorth Korea has threatened to end an inter-Korean military agreement reached in 2018 to reduce tensions if the South fails to prevent activists from flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets over the border. (Pyongyang Press Corps Pool via AP, File)SEOUL North Korea threatened on Thursday to end an inter-Korean military agreement reached in 2018 to reduce tensions if the South fails to prevent activists from flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets over the border. Sending balloons across the border has been a common activist tactic for years, but North Korea considers it an attack on its government. (South Korean) authorities will be forced to pay a dear price if they let this situation go on while making sort of excuses, she said. After years in her brothers shadow, Kim Yo Jong emerged as part of her brother's diplomatic efforts in 2018.
Despite pandemic, global geopolitical currents stay strong
Read full article: Despite pandemic, global geopolitical currents stay strong(Sepahnews via AP)Pandemic or not, are there some global currents whose flows are too strong to stop? North Korea has closed the country to foreign travel while it claims no infections โ something that defectors and experts have strong reason to doubt. Now, the most pressing questions this week have become: Where is Kim, and what's the status of his health? North Korea watchers saw red flags when Kim missed the celebration of his late grandfather Kim Il Sung on April 15, the countryโs most important holiday. Bloodline is a central fact of ruling North Korea, and Kim's seeming absence has fueled talk of succession.
North Korea denies that Kim sent Trump 'a nice note'
Read full article: North Korea denies that Kim sent Trump 'a nice note'SEOUL โ North Korea on Sunday dismissed as โungroundedโ President Donald Trumpโs comment that he recently received โa nice noteโ from the North's leader, Kim Jong Un. Trump said during a press briefing on the coronavirus pandemic Saturday that โI received a nice note from him recently. North Koreaโs Foreign Ministry said in a statement that there was no letter addressed to Trump recently by โthe supreme leadership,โ a reference to Kim. In March, North Korea said Trump sent a personal letter to Kim, seeking to maintain good relations and offer cooperation in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. A senior Trump administration official confirmed that Trump sent a letter to Kim, saying it was consistent with Trump's efforts to engage world leaders during the pandemic.
N. Korea says Trump's letter offers anti-virus cooperation
Read full article: N. Korea says Trump's letter offers anti-virus cooperationIn this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects military exercise at an undisclosed location in North Korea on Saturday, March 21, 2020. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. North Korea has repeatedly said there hasnโt been a single case of the coronavirus on its soil. Kim Yo Jong said Trumpโs letter is โa good example showing the special and firm personal relationsโ between the North Korean and U.S. leaders. Senior North Korean official Kim Kye Gwan said at the time that the birthday message won't lead his country to return to talks unless the U.S. accepts its demands.