N. Korean leader makes rare visits to key arms factories

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has conducted a series of rare visits to his country's arms factories, underscoring their role in war preparations, notably in the run-up to major defense-oriented military exercises between South Korea and the United States. But experts in Seoul also noted that these visits may serve a dual purpose, not only emphasizing North Korea's determination to continue its military buildup but also promoting its weapons for potential export to Russia. Kim made th

Aug. 6, 2023

N. Korean leader inspects major weapons factories: state media

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has conducted a three-day inspection of major arms factories, including those that produce shells of large-caliber multiple rocket launchers and engines of strategic cruise missiles, state media said Sunday. The three-day inspection that wrapped up on Saturday came a week after Kim attended a massive military parade marking the 70th armistice anniversary of the Korean War on July 27 and showcasing North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles and drones.

Aug. 6, 2023

N. Korea considering providing military support to Russia: NSC

WASHINGTON -- North Korea is considering providing additional military support to Russia, including munitions to be used in the latter's ongoing war in Ukraine, a National Security Council official said Thursday. John Kirby, NSC coordinator for strategic communications, said the US will continue to expose and sanction efforts to assist Russia's illegal war against Ukraine. "Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu recently traveled to North Korea in a bid to convince North Korea

Aug. 4, 2023

N. Korea criticizes US weapons package for Taiwan

North Korea warned Friday that Washington's plan to provide weapons to Taiwan reflects its "sinister intention" to deter China and will heighten regional tensions to an "ignition point of war." Last week, the United States announced its plan to provide military aid worth up to $345 million, which involves the transfer of weaponry to Taiwan from Washington's own stockpile, in what was seen as bolstering Taiwan's self-defense capabilities against China. "The

Aug. 4, 2023

No progress made on US soldier in N. Korea: state dept.

North Korea has yet to offer any substantive response to requests from United Nations Command to confirm the safety of a US service member in its custody, a state department spokesperson said Wednesday. In addition, Pyongyang remains unresponsive to such requests from the United States, according to the department spokesperson, Matthew Miller. His remark comes after a Department of Defense spokesperson said the North has responded to UNC requests to confirm the whereabouts of Pvt. Travis King, w

Aug. 3, 2023

North Korea calls US human rights envoy a 'political housemaid' in protest of criticisms

North Korea hurled misogynistic insults Wednesday at a newly confirmed United States special envoy to monitor the country’s human rights issues and warned of unspecified security consequences if Washington continues to criticize its human rights conditions. The statement published by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency described Julie Turner as a “wicked woman” who was picked by the Biden administration as a “political housemaid” to launch grou

Aug. 2, 2023

N. Korea slams France for staging joint air drills with S. Korea

North Korea on Wednesday lambasted France for holding a combined air exercise with South Korea for the first time last week, decrying it as an "undisguised military provocation" threatening the North's security. A researcher at Pyongyang's Korea-Europe Association made the criticism in a statement released by the North's Korean Central News Agency after the two countries kicked off the two-day drills last Tuesday at an air base in the South's southeastern city of Gi

Aug. 2, 2023

Possible weapons trade between Russia, N. Korea shows difficulties facing Moscow: Pentagon

The potential weapons trade between North Korea and Russia demonstrates the dire situation Russia finds itself in amid its ongoing war against Ukraine, a Pentagon spokesperson said Tuesday. Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder made the remark after a news report suggested that North Korea may be sending weapons to Russia. "Russia maintains a relationship with North Korea," the Department of Defense spokesperson told a daily press briefing when asked about possible weapons trade between the two countri

Aug. 2, 2023

N. Korea frequently releases water from dam near inter-Korean border in July: Seoul

North Korea frequently released water from a dam near the inter-Korean border in July despite South Korea's request for prior notice, Seoul's unification ministry said Tuesday. Some of the floodgates of the Hwanggang Dam were opened to discharge water on July 20, 24 and 27, without the North notifying the South of its release plan in advance, according to a report by US-based media outlet Radio Free Asia last week. "The North was found to have frequently discharged water (from the

Aug. 1, 2023

N. Korea looks to cement Russia ties amid tension

North Korea is stepping up efforts to forge stronger ties with Russia, as the North pursues a bigger presence in a Russia-led coalition against the US. This comes amid an anniversary meant to celebrate what the North refers to as its victory against the US-led United Nations forces in the 1950-53 Korean War. The North’s state media said Saturday, two days after the celebrations, that the regime will bolster exchanges with Russia and China, its two biggest allies, to deal with the changin

July 30, 2023

N. Korea slams S. Korea in human rights report

North Korea retaliated to a human rights report released by South Korea’s Unification Ministry early this year with its own, criticizing human rights conditions in the South. Pyongyang Publishing Co., an organ of the North's ruling Workers' Party, published a book that roughly translates to "Barren Land of Human Rights" and is full of disparaging remarks on human rights conditions in South Korea, on July 21. “We will examine the human rights condition in South Kor

July 30, 2023

N. Korea registers 7 judokas for Asian Games

North Korea has registered seven judokas to compete in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the roster showed Sunday. The North's planned participation in the Sept. 23-Oct. 8 event marks its first registration in a major international sporting event since the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games. North Korea has skipped key sporting events as it imposed strict restrictions and closed its border over the pandemic. North Korea will send three judokas for the men's division -- Chae

July 30, 2023

Satellite photos reveal N. Korea discharged dam water without notice: report

Satellite photos have detected signs of North Korea releasing water from a dam in the border area despite South Korea's request to give prior notice, a US-based radio company reported Saturday. The release of water from North Korea's Hwanggang Dam has raised concerns about potential flooding in areas located south of the border every summer in recent years. The dam is located in the upper region of the Imjin River, which flows through the Korean Peninsula from the north to the south.

July 29, 2023

NK leader meets with Chinese delegation after armistice anniv.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has met with a Chinese delegation, a day after commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, the North's state media reported Saturday. During Friday's meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing their bilateral relations, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The Chinese party-government delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday to attend anniversary celebrations held the following day. Led by Li

July 29, 2023

Unification Ministry abolishes inter-Korean dialogue organizations

South Korea's Unification Ministry on Friday unveiled its plan to shut down four organizations responsible for inter-Korean dialogue amid the ongoing deadlock in relations between the two Koreas. The ministry will proceed with merging these entities into a single unit, resulting in large-scale layoffs. The four organizations include the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Bureau, the Inter-Korean Cooperation District Policy Planning Directorate within the Unification Ministry, the Office

July 28, 2023

S. Korean ambassador says N. Korean threats will only lead to stronger deterrence from S. Korea-US alliance

South Korea's ambassador to the United States stressed the importance of the South Korea-US alliance Thursday, highlighting the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement that ended the Korean War. Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong also said that the alliance will continue to strengthen in the face of North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. "Even as I speak, Pyongyang is raising tensions by launching ballistic missiles and using brazen language threatening the use of nu

July 28, 2023

N. Korea stages military parade to mark war anniversary

North Korea held a military parade Thursday night, a widely expected event to mark what it calls “Victory Day” against the US-led United Nations forces in the 1950-53 Korean War, sources with knowledge of the matter said. It was not immediately clear whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the parade, a venue to showcase its latest weapons and rally North Koreans. Delegations from China and Russia, who arrived in Pyongyang the previous day for the July 27 celebrations, are b

July 27, 2023

Pakistan eyes Korean investments, suggests potential sectors

Officials and representatives from Pakistan showcased trade and investment potential at the Pakistan-Korea trade and investment conference seeking Korean investments at the Ambassador Hotel in Seoul, Thursday. Attendees shared diverse ideas and business solutions in energy, construction, minerals, agriculture, food processing, textiles, automobiles, information technology and telecommunications to reach out to investors and key figures taking the lead. Underscoring Pakistan’s economic outl

July 27, 2023

N. Korea warmly receives Chinese delegation in Pyongyang for Victory Day celebrations: state media

North Korea has extended its "warm welcome" to a Chinese delegation that arrived in Pyongyang this week to attend the North's commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, according to state media Thursday. The party-government delegation led by Li Hongzhong, a Chinese Communist Party Politburo member, arrived in the North's capital Wednesday to attend this week's celebrations of Victory Day, according to the state-run Korean Central Broadcasting St

July 27, 2023

Chinese and Russian officials to join North Korean commemorations of Korean War armistice

Russia and China are sending government delegations to North Korea this week for events marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War. The visits suggest North Korea is further opening up after years of pandemic isolation and is eager to showcase its partnerships with authoritarian neighbors in the face of deepening nuclear tensions with Washington, Seoul and Tokyo. North Korea’s state media said Wednesday that a Russian delegation led by Defe

July 26, 2023