UN sanctions panel approves S. Korean NGO's aid project for NK

The UN Security Council's committee on sanctions against North Korea has approved an application from a South Korean nongovernmental agency to conduct its aid program in the communist state, its website showed Tuesday. With the approval for the sanctions exemption, Green Tree International is to carry out its program for six months until Oct. 30. The program aims to support the rehabilitation process at the Korean Rehabilitation Center for Children with Disabilities in the North. The agency a

May 5, 2020

NK media decries 'fake news' in S. Korea

A North Korean propaganda outlet on Tuesday denounced "fake news" in South Korea, after media speculation here over North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's health was proved to be wrong following his resumption of public activities last week. The website, Meari, did not specifically mention the speculation, but its criticism appeared to target South Korean media that linked Kim's weekslong absence from the public eye to the possibility of his health problems. Kim resumed his public activi

May 5, 2020

NK media touts fertilizer factory completion as first feat of 'frontal breakthrough' drive

North Korea's main newspaper on Tuesday touted the recent completion of a fertilizer factory as the first key outcome of its "frontal breakthrough" drive aimed at developing its economy crippled by international sanctions. The Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang, has drawn global attention as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a ceremony marking its completion Friday after a 20-day absence that fueled rumors of his failing health. "The whol

May 5, 2020

State-run think tank proposes signing free trade deal with N. Korea

South Korea should sign a free trade deal with North Korea to accelerate reform in the communist nation and to help it integrate into the international market, a state-run think tank said Monday. The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) made the suggestion in a report on inter-Korean economic cooperation, saying such an accord will create an environment for stable cross-border economic cooperation amid international sanctions on Pyongyang. "The new inter-Korean econom

May 4, 2020

NK paper highlights fertilizer plant construction after Kim's attendance at completion event

North Korea's official newspaper on Monday highlighted the construction of a fertilizer plant after leader Kim Jong-un attended a ceremony for its completion last week in his first public activity following a weekslong absence that sparked speculation about his health. In its front page, the Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the North's ruling party, carried comments contributed by factory managers from diverse sectors who lauded the completion of the Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory. "We

May 4, 2020

N. Korea stays mum on S. Korea's call for explanation of DMZ gunfire: ministry

North Korea has not responded yet to South Korea's call for an explanation on Sunday's firing of several bullets that hit a South Korean guard post on the inter-Korean border, Seoul's defense ministry said Monday. On early Sunday, four bullets from the North hit the South's guard post in the central part of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, prompting South Korean troops to respond by firing 20 rounds of warning shots and issuing broadcast warnings, according to the Jo

May 4, 2020

NK's official paper reports on Kim sending gratitude to propagandists

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed gratitude to state propagandists, the country's main newspaper reported Monday, days after dispelling persistent rumors about his health with his first public appearance in about three weeks. "Comrade Kim Jong-un sent gratitude to exemplary instructors for carrying out their responsibility and role as basic propagandists, which have led workers to implement the party's policies," the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers

May 4, 2020

Pompeo reaffirms US mission to denuke NK after Kim's return to public eye

WASHINGTON/SEOUL -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has renewed Washington's goal of denuclearizing North Korea and creating a "bright future" for its people after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's return to the public eye following his 20-day absence. In an interview with ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday, Pompeo also cast the two Koreas' recent exchange of gunfire, which was triggered by the North's gunshots, as "accidental" amid worries that the flare-up of ten

May 4, 2020

Trump ‘glad’ of Kim’s reappearance

US President Donald Trump said he was “glad” about the reemergence of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and that he appeared to be healthy, after weeks of global speculation that Kim was gravely ill or dead. 　 “I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well,” said Trump on Twitter on Saturday (US time), after Kim’s surprise appearance at a public event for the first time in three weeks. 　 On speculation that the North Korean leader had undergone cardiovascular su

May 3, 2020

N. Korea fires gunshots, S. Korea says unintentional

Gunfire broke out between North and South Korea early Sunday, when the North fired multiple gunshots toward a South Korean guard post in Cheorwon, inside the demilitarized zone, and South Korea shot back twice, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. “There were no injuries or facility damage and we’re on the communication lines to assess the situation and to prevent further incidents. We’re on readiness,” the military said, adding it had asked Pyo

May 3, 2020

Ruling party raps defector elects over Kim Jong-un remarks

The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Sunday called for defector politicians to apologize over their remarks suggesting Kim Jong-un's ill health, a day after the North Korean leader appeared in public following a 20-day absence. Kim had not appeared in public since presiding over an April 11 Politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, sparking speculation that he might be seriously ill. North Korean media also did not provide photos of him, fanning the rumors. In Seoul, two North Korean def

May 3, 2020

Multiple gunshots from N. Korea hit S. Korean border guard post: JCS

Several gunshots from North Korea hit a South Korean guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Sunday, prompting the South to fire back, but the North's firings do not appear to have been intentional, an official said. South Korean soldiers on guard duty at the unit in the central border town of Cheorwon heard gunshots at around 7:41 a.m. and found four bullet marks on a wall of the guard post, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In accordance with the response manual, the militar

May 3, 2020

Trump hails Kim reappearance, but NK denuclearization prospects bleak

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- US President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed the reemergence of North Korea's Kim Jong-un after weeks of speculation about his health, but prospects for the US efforts to persuade Pyongyang to denuclearize appear as bleak as ever. On Saturday, North Korean media said Kim cut a ribbon at a ceremony on Friday to mark the completion of a fertilizer plant. It had not reported on Kim's whereabouts since he presided over a meeting on April 11, provoking speculation that he

May 3, 2020

NK leader reemerges after 20-day absence amid rumors over his health

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended a fertilizer factory completion ceremony, state media reported Saturday, his first public appearance after 20 days of absence that sparked rumors about his health. The official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim cut the tape at the ceremony marking the completion of Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Factory in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang, on Friday. Photos released by KCNA showed Kim, dressed in a dark Mao suit, cutting the red ribbon during the

May 2, 2020

NK defector claims he is '99%' sure that N. Korean leader died

A North Korea defector elected as a lawmaker in South Korea claimed Friday that he is "99 percent" sure that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un died after surgery amid speculation over his health. Unconfirmed reports about Kim's ill health have mounted since he has not appeared in public for nearly three weeks. News reports described Kim as being in "grave danger" after surgery or hiding out at a coastal resort to escape the coronavirus pandemic. Ji Seong-ho, who earned a pro

May 1, 2020

NK leader out of public eye for 20th straight day

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un remained out of public view for the 20th straight day Thursday amid persisting speculation about his health and who will take over the nuclear-armed communist nation after him. Kim was last seen in state media on April 11 presiding over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party. State media have since carried reports about him handling state affairs, such as sending messages to foreign leaders, but no photo or video of him has been released. Sparking spe

May 1, 2020

US committed to NK denuclearization regardless of what happens there

The United States is preparing for any eventuality in North Korea as it monitors the regime closely amid unconfirmed reports about leader Kim Jong-un's ill health, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday. Speaking on a radio program, "The Scott Sands Show," Pompeo said it is unusual, but not unheard of, that the North Korean leader has not appeared in public for over two weeks. Kim was last seen presiding over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on April 11. "

May 1, 2020

US Congress introduces bill to ban strike on N. Korea

US Sen. Edward Markey and Rep. Ro Khanna introduced Tuesday legislation that would bar President Donald Trump from waging military action against North Korea, unless Pyongyang delivers a preemptive strike or the US Congress authorizes it in advance. The bill, initially introduced in 2017 but which failed to get past the committee approval, surfaced again amid lingering tensions over recent conflicting reports on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s health and his whereabouts. “While d

April 29, 2020

[Newsmaker] Kim Jong-un’s sister could emerge as heir apparent, think tank suggests

Amid conflicting reports about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a parliamentary think tank in South Korea has weighed in on Kim’s younger sister Kim Yo-jong taking over the throne of the reclusive regime.  “Kim Jong-un, in order to overcome the national crisis, could expand Yo-jong’s status and role as the ‘party center,’” the National Assembly Research Service said in a report released on Wednesday. “Party center” is a term th

April 29, 2020

No unusual movements detected in N. Korea despite rumors over Kim's health: defense chief

No unusual movements have been detected in North Korea despite rumors about its leader Kim Jong-un's health, Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said Wednesday, stressing that Kim's absence from public view is not new. Kim last appeared publicly in state media on April 11, when he presided over a meeting of the Politburo of the ruling Workers' Party. His weekslong absence, including skipping an annual event marking the birth anniversary of his grandfather and national founder Kim Il-sung, has sp

April 29, 2020