Unification minister urges N. Korea to implement peace agreements on summit anniversary

SEOUL/PAJU -- Unification Minister Lee In-young urged North Korea on Tuesday to implement inter-Korean summit agreements and come out for talks as he marked the third anniversary of a historic 2018 summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Lee made the remarks during an event organized by civic groups to celebrate the anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration adopted after the summit talks on April 27, 2018, stressing that South Korea is willing to resume talks wi

April 27, 2021

US must be ready to make concessions to N. Korea to advance denuclearization: lawmaker

WASHINGTON -- The United States must be ready to make concessions to North Korea that could include temporary sanctions relief if necessary to advance the North's denuclearization process, a US lawmaker said Monday. Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) also said South Korean President Moon Jae-in needs to explain exactly what options are on the table when he meets his US counterpart, Joe Biden, next month. "I do think that the United States should be prepared and could be prepared to be able to provide s

April 27, 2021

Three years after historic Panmunjom Declaration, two Koreas remain deadlocked

Tuesday is the third anniversary of the historic inter-Korean summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, where the two leaders vowed for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. Despite the flurry of efforts toward reconciliation since, hopes for peace on the long-divided peninsula remain tempered by a deadlock in nuclear diplomacy and Pyongyang’s recent escalation of tension. 　 Unlike in the past two years, the Korean government is not

April 26, 2021

Unification minister calls for inter-Korean cooperation in forestry sector

Unification Minister Lee In-young on Monday stressed the importance of inter-Korean cooperation in the forest sector, saying it will eventually benefit the people of the two Koreas by reducing carbon emissions on the Korean Peninsula. Lee made the remarks in a speech during a tree-planting event at the Inter-Korean Cooperation Center on Forestry that opened in the border town of Paju last June, saying that such cooperation will also accelerate Seoul's objective to become "carbon neutral&q

April 26, 2021

N. Korea tightens antivirus efforts amid increasing activities in spring season

North Korea is stepping up efforts to stay alert against the protracted coronavirus pandemic amid increasing economic activities in the spring season, according to state media Monday. The state-run Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) urged people not to let their guard down especially in educational institutions, construction sites and agricultural fields during the spring season amid reports of new variants around the world. "We are putting foremost priority in tightening antiviru

April 26, 2021

US fully ready to deter any aggression from N. Korea: US commander

WASHINGTON -- The United States is ready and able to deter any aggression from North Korea, the chief of the US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) said Thursday, also highlighting the US security commitment to South Korea. Adm. Charles Richard, however, said the best way to resolve issues with North Korea is with diplomacy. "I will tell you that I am very confident in my ability to deter, or we're very familiar with North Korea's capabilities and I'm very confident in our ability to deter tha

April 23, 2021

UN rapporteurs send letter to S. Korea voicing concerns over anti-Pyongyang leafleting ban

UN special rapporteurs voiced concerns that South Korea's anti-leafleting law could restrict freedom of expression in a letter sent to the government calling for further clarification, the UN website showed Thursday. Tomas Ojea Quintana, special rapporteur on North Korea's human rights situation, along with three other rapporteurs, made the appeal in a "communications" letter dated Monday, urging the South Korean government to provide additional information about the compliance of th

April 22, 2021

NK founder’s controversial autobiography published in South Korea

The republication of an autobiography of the late North Korean founder Kim Il-sung has ignited controversy in South Korea, where possession of the book could violate national security laws. Starting this week, a number of major South Korean bookstores have accepted purchase orders for “Reminiscences: With the Century,” which emphasizes the North Korean leader’s childhood and what he did to resist the Japanese colonial regime. But South Korean historians and experts have sai

April 22, 2021

NK leader sends third congratulatory message to Cuba's new president

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent his third congratulatory message to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel this week alone, expressing hope that relations between the two countries will "grow stronger," according to state media Thursday. The latest message, delivered Tuesday to mark the Cuban leader's birthday, came after Kim already sent two congratulatory messages earlier this week on his recent election as the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. North Korea conside

April 22, 2021

N. Korea seeking to defeat US missile defenses: CRS report

North Korea appears to be working to develop capabilities that can degrade or even defeat US missile defense systems deployed in its region, a congressional report suggested. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) report also noted the North's efforts to develop weapons may be more than just a political statement. "The recent advances in North Korea's ballistic missile test program appear to be directed at developing capabilities to defeat or degrade the effectiveness of missile defense

April 22, 2021

NK leader stresses 'special' relations with Cuba in another congratulatory message to new ruling party chief

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stressed the country's "special" strategic relations with Cuba in another message congratulating President Miguel Diaz-Canel on his election as the new powerful head of its ruling communist party, according to state media Wednesday. The message delivered Tuesday via the Cuban ambassador in Pyongyang came a day after Kim sent another message expressing "absolute support" to Diaz-Canel following his appointment as first secretary of the Communis

April 21, 2021

[Newsmaker] N. Korea continues to work on submersible missile test barge at Nampo: report

North Korea is continuing to work on a submersible missile test stand barge at its Nampo shipyard, a US think tank said Tuesday, suggesting the work could be part of preparations for a ballistic missile test. Citing satellite imagery taken Monday, the think tank said the North has positioned a "cylindrical object on the submersible missile test barge at Nampo." It said the image alone could not confirm an imminent missile launch, but noted the round object could be a launch tube for

April 21, 2021

N. Korean missiles and cyber capabilities pose threats to US: generals

North Korea continues to pose threats to the United States both in real life and cyberspace, top US military officials said Tuesday. They also said the North continues to engage in activities that threaten regional security and defy international norms. "North Korea remains a security challenge to the United States and our allies. It continues conducting activities that threaten regional stability and defy international norms," said Adm. Charles Richard, commander of the US Strategic

April 21, 2021

NK leader congratulates Cuban president on election as new ruling party chief

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un congratulated Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on his election as the new powerful head of its ruling communist party and vowed to strengthen bilateral ties, state media said Tuesday. Kim sent the message on Monday expressing his "absolute support" and offered "warm comradely greetings" to Diaz-Canel shortly after he succeeded Raul Castro as first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Korean Central News Agency said. "Kim Jong-u

April 20, 2021

NK's largest youth group to hold first congress in 5 years next week

North Korea's largest youth organization will hold its first congress in five years next week, state media said Tuesday, in an apparent effort to tighten ideological discipline amid concerns about younger generations' increasing exposure to outside influences. The Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League, governed by the ruling Workers' Party, will hold its congress in Pyongyang on April 27, according to the Korean Central News Agency. "Achievements and experiences obtained from youth busin

April 20, 2021

NK imports from China spike in March

North Korea’s imports from China jumped in March amid growing speculation that Pyongyang may soon open its border and resume trade with its top ally, China. 　 North Korea’s shipments from China totaled $12.98 million in March -- a dramatic jump from February, when it logged $3,000 -- Chinese customs data released Sunday showed. 　 It marked the highest level since September 2020, when imports totaled $18.9 million. Since then the figure has nose-dived to nearly zero as the reclusiv

April 19, 2021

S. Korea seeking to toughen regulations on internet-based exchanges with N. Korea

South Korea is seeking to require its citizens to win government approval in advance before exchanging digital files of films or books with North Koreans via the internet, the unification ministry said Monday. In January, the ministry proposed revising the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act in a way that requires approval from the unification minister for cross-border exchanges of "immaterial things" via electronic tools and information and communication networks. Under the pr

April 19, 2021

N. Korea's imports from China surge in March: data

North Korea's imports from China spiked to a six-month high last month, data showed Sunday, amid signs of Pyongyang easing prolonged border restrictions amid the pandemic. According to the data by the Chinese customs authorities, North Korea imported around $12.98 million worth of goods from China in March, up from $3,000 logged in the previous month. It is the highest level since September last year when the figure came to $18.9 million. The North's imports from China had fallen to near zero

April 19, 2021

NK propaganda outlet denounces S. Korea's weapons purchase plans

A North Korean propaganda outlet on Sunday denounced South Korea's weapons purchase plans as an attempt to accelerate preparations to invade the country. Tongil Voice made the accusations, referring to Seoul's decision to import 36 large combat choppers by 2028 in a project in which the country has already deployed 36 Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters. "The South Korea military is further stepping up plots to develop and introduce advanced arms equipment for northward invasion at a time wh

April 18, 2021

N. Korea slams Japan despite Suga's willingness to meet leader Kim

North Korea's main newspaper on Sunday kept up criticism of Japan over its history of aggression toward the Korean Peninsula, after the Japanese prime minister expressed a willingness to meet with the North's leader to resolve bilateral issues. The Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the North's ruling Workers' Party, carried an article that criticized Japan for "occupying the Korean Peninsula during the first half of the 20th century and engaging in a barbaric policy to annihilate the people.&quo

April 18, 2021