N. Korea to hold key party meeting this week after signing new partnership treaty with Russia

North Korea is expected to hold a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea this week to review policy performances in the first half, amid attention over whether it would discuss follow-up measures to implement a new partnership treaty signed with Russia. In May, the WPK's politburo decided to hold a plenary meeting of the party's Central Committee in late June to review progress in its economic and other projects in the first half, without disclosing other details, s

June 23, 2024

S. Korea to call in top Russian envoy to protest new treaty with N. Korea

South Korea is expected to call in the top Russian envoy in Seoul on Friday to lodge a protest over a new treaty signed with North Korea calling for immediate military assistance if either is attacked. First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun will call in Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev later in the day to deliver Seoul's position on the "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty inked between Moscow and Pyongyang at their leaders' summit Wednesday, diplomatic sources s

June 21, 2024

N. Korea, Russia agree to offer military assistance 'without delay' if either is attacked: KCNA

North Korea and Russia have agreed to offer military assistance "without delay" if either is attacked under a new partnership treaty signed after this week's summit, Pyongyang's state media reported Thursday. The Korean Central News Agency disclosed the Korean-language full text of the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed Wednesday after their talks in Pyongyang. Article 4 of the 23-point t

June 20, 2024

US restates NK-Russia cooperation is trend of 'great concern' after Kim-Putin summit

The United States reiterated Wednesday that growing cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a trend of "great concern," after Pyongyang and Moscow signed a pact calling for mutual aid if either side comes under attack. A State Department spokesperson made the point after Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inked a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty at a summit in Pyongyang on Wednesday amid concerns about security implications

June 20, 2024

Summit of two loners: Kim breaks seclusion with Putin by his side

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appeared solemn in the early hours Wednesday as he stood solo on the red carpet laid out at the airport in Pyongyang for the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was making his first visit to the country in 24 years. Putin, who is in the habit of arriving fashionably late to meetings with world leaders, touched down in Pyongyang some three hours later than planned, at well past 2 a.m. After landing at the Pyongyang airport, the Russian president joined

June 19, 2024

Putin, Kim sign treaty for mutual military support against 'aggression'

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a new partnership deal that resurrected a mutual defense commitment in case either country is attacked in a summit held under the wary eyes of the international community on Wednesday. "The comprehensive partnership agreement signed today provides, among other things, for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement," Putin was quoted as saying by state news agency T

June 19, 2024

Putin, N. Korea's Kim start summit talks amid concerns over deepening military cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un began summit talks in Pyongyang on Wednesday, Russian news media reported, amid concerns about deepening military cooperation. Putin arrived in North Korea early Wednesday morning in his first trip to the reclusive country in 24 years, as Russia, under international sanctions over its war with Ukraine, has been bolstering military and other cooperation with North Korea. Putin and Kim started their summit talks at the Kumsusan P

June 19, 2024

Putin arrives in Pyongyang for summit with Kim

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday in his first trip to North Korea in 24 years as he is set to hold a summit with leader Kim Jong-un in a show of their deepening relations. Putin began his state visit to Pyongyang early Wednesday morning (Korea time), amid growing concerns that burgeoning bilateral defense cooperation would help prop up Russia's war operations in Ukraine and enhance North Korea's weapons programs to the detriment of regional and global

June 19, 2024

[Contribution] Remembering Otto Warmbier: Legacy of curiosity, injustice, pursuit of accountability

By Won Jae-chun, professor of International Law and Director of International Law, Handong Global University Otto Warmbier, an American college student whose life was tragically cut short after his imprisonment in North Korea, remains a poignant symbol of youthful curiosity and the stark realities of international injustice. As we commemorate his life and reflect on his legacy, we are reminded of the importance of seeking truth, justice, and accountability. Life full of promise Otto Warmbier was

June 18, 2024

Putin's state visit to North Korea sets stage for elevated ties

The leaders of Russia and North Korea are set to sign a "treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership" that could elevate the bilateral ties to a new level possibly in the fields of military, technology and economy upon President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea for the first time in 24 years on Wednesday. The Russian president signed a presidential decree to "accept the proposal" of the Foreign Ministry in Moscow on signing a comprehensive strategic partnership

June 18, 2024

N. Korean soldiers briefly cross border for 2nd time in less than 2 weeks

North Korean soldiers working in the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas briefly crossed into the South again Tuesday before returning to their side after the South fired warning shots, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. It marked the North's second border violation in less than two weeks after a similar incident on June 9. Around 20 to 30 North Korean soldiers carrying work tools crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the DMZ in the central section of the border at

June 18, 2024

N. Korean military's construction activities spotted inside DMZ: source

North Korea's military has been carrying out unexplained construction activities inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, according to a military source Saturday. "Recently, the North Korean military has been erecting walls, digging the ground and constructing roads in some areas between the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and the Northern Limit Line in the DMZ," the source said. The source added it was unclear whether these activities indicate an intention t

June 15, 2024

S. Korean envoy rebukes N. Korea for linking trash-filled balloons to freedom of expression

South Korea's top envoy to the UN on Friday criticized as "bizarre" and "deplorable" North Korea's claim that its sending of trash-filled balloons to the South was an exercise of freedom of expression. Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook made the remarks during a UN Security Council meeting as the North has sent waste-loaded balloons to the South in a tit-for-tat response to South Korean activists' sending of anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the inter-Korean border. In a sarcastic state

June 15, 2024

NK submarine movements may foreshadow SLBM, SLCM test preparations: US monitor

A US monitor on Thursday reported recent North Korean ballistic missile submarine movements at a shipyard on the country's east coast, saying they may presage the start of submarine trials this summer or preparations for a submarine-launched ballistic missile test. Citing recent satellite imagery, Beyond Parallel, a project of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, released its monthslong analysis of the movements of the Hero Kim Kun Ok submarine, an experimental submarine, and

June 14, 2024

UNC investigating NK troops' land border incursion, S. Korean loudspeaker broadcasts

The US-led UN Command (UNC) said Thursday it is investigating a series of incidents at the inter-Korean border earlier this week, including a brief border incursion by North Korean troops and South Korea's resumption of anti-Pyongyang broadcasts. On Sunday, some 20 North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), separating the two Koreas, in the central section of the border before retreating northward after the South fired warning shots, acc

June 13, 2024

US 'always vigilant' about potential NK steps beyond trash-filled balloons: Campbell

The United States remains "always vigilant" about North Korea's potential steps against South Korea that might go beyond its sending of trash-filled balloons to the South, a senior US diplomat said Wednesday. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell made the remarks amid tensions heightened by the North's recent floating of disturbing balloons across the inter-Korean border and the South's short-lived resumption of frontline loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts. "We

June 13, 2024

UNC investigating NK troops' land border incursion, S. Korean loudspeaker broadcasts

The US-led UN Command said Thursday it is investigating a series of incidents at the inter-Korean border earlier this week, including a brief border incursion by North Korean troops and South Korea's resumption of anti-Pyongyang broadcasts. On Sunday, some 20 North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line inside the Demilitarized Zone, separating the two Koreas, in the central section of the border before retreating northward after the South fired warning shots, according to Se

June 13, 2024

Sweden recalls historical bonds with Korea

Sweden marked its National Day on Wednesday, celebrating 501 years of independence since the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, and the 50th anniversary of Carl XVI Gustaf's reign, Sweden's longest-serving monarch. Delivering remarks at the event, Johannes Andreasson, charge d'affaires at the Swedish Embassy, highlighted the deep historical ties between Sweden and Korea. "We are celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations, but our contacts date back over 300 years,"

June 11, 2024

NK leader's sister warns of 'new counteraction' against S. Korea

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned that South Korea will face unspecified "new counteraction" by the North if it keeps sending anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and playing its loudspeaker broadcasts across the border. The statement by Kim Yo-jong came after the South resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North for the first time in six years, in retaliation against the North's repeated sending of trash-carrying balloons. "If the

June 10, 2024

NK leader's sister warns of 'new responses' against S. Korea's loudspeaker broadcast, leafleting

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned Sunday of taking "new responses" if South Korea keeps sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border and blasting loudspeaker broadcasts, calling it a "prelude to a very dangerous situation." The statement by Kim Yo-jong came after the South resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North in retaliation against the North's repeated sending of trash-filled balloons amid rising tensions in the inte

June 10, 2024