North Korea’s recent decision to tone down its military parade for the 70th anniversary of its founding on Sunday was an indirect expression of its willingness to denuclearize, according to experts at a think tank under South Korea’s intelligence agency.“The regime’s decision to exclude military commanders at the balcony seat (alongside leader Kim Jong-un) and reduce the size of the Korean People’s Army Strategic Force in the parade was (North Korea’s intention) to provide US President Donald Tr

North Korea Sept. 11, 2018

In line with the 70th anniversary of its founding, Sunday, the North Korean regime highlighted the need to achieve economic prosperity in the spirit of “self-reliance,” the country’s state media reported Monday. The North’s media reports covering the anniversary came a day later, citing the “low-key,” “ICBM-free” military parade that took place Sunday. In past years, Korean Central Television had aired most of the parades live. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the regime called for i

North Korea Sept. 10, 2018

South Korea is working to bolster cooperation in regional security with China and Japan, briefing them on the outcome of its envoys recent trip to Pyongyang, as it hopes to see the early resumption of denuclearization talks between the US and North Korea. Chung Eui-yong, President Moon Jae-in’s top security adviser, returned from his one-day trip to China on Saturday, after briefing Yang Jiechi, a ranking member of China’s Communist Party in charge of foreign affairs, on the outcome of his recen

North Korea Sept. 9, 2018

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry vowed to make further efforts to normalize ties with members of the international community on Thursday, as the rogue nation’s diplomatic isolation continues. “The DPRK will continue to actively develop the relations of friendship and cooperation with many countries in the world in accordance with the ideals of foreign policy of independence, peace and friendship,” a statement posted in English on the official website of the North’s Foreign Ministry said. DPRK is s

North Korea Sept. 6, 2018

Despite North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s renewed vows to denuclearize, experts say the latest meeting between Kim and South Korea’s special envoys failed to provide a breakthrough in the current stalemate in the nuclear negotiations. According to Chung Eui-yong, who led a five-member delegation to Pyongyang on Wednesday, Kim reaffirmed his commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula while expressing his willingness to maintain cooperation with South Korea and the US. “Chairm

North Korea Sept. 6, 2018

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry called for an official end to the 1950-53 Korean War on Tuesday, urging the US to take action a day ahead of a scheduled visit to the North by South Korean envoys.In an essay posted on the ministry’s official website, the North highlighted what it called its regime’s efforts throughout history to build a “lasting and stable peace regime” on the Korean Peninsula, while accusing the US of turning a “blind eye” every time.  US Vice President Mike Pence and Navy Rear A

North Korea Sept. 5, 2018

On its Sept. 9 Founding Day two years ago, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test, sending shock waves across the world with a defiant message to those who opposed the regime’s nuclear ambition.This year, the North has entered into dialogue with the US on denuclearization. Many expect the rogue nation to convey a fresh message reflecting the shift, but experts say that the regime lacks noteworthy achievements to do so. In his New Year’s address, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un highlighted

North Korea Sept. 4, 2018

President Moon Jae-in will dispatch a special envoy to North Korea on Sept. 5 to discuss the itinerary for a planned inter-Korean summit and other imminent issues concerning the peninsula. According to Cheong Wa Dae, North Korea on Friday sent a telegram to the South, accepting the Seoul government’s offer earlier in the day to send a special envoy. Moon has yet to name his special envoy. (AFP)The two Koreas agreed to hold a summit in Pyongyang in September, during a high-level meeting earlier t

North Korea Aug. 31, 2018

North Korea’s media accused the US of plotting “hostile military acts” against the country Friday, while criticizing Washington’s insistence that Pyongyang take “denuclearization steps first” without making minimal efforts to build good faith between the two nations.“The US is taking grave and hostile actions behind the curtain of the dialogue taking place,” said Uriminzokkiri, the North’s external propaganda website. US President Donald Trump (Yonhap)It cited a recent dispatch of US special uni

North Korea Aug. 31, 2018

South Korea’s Ministry of Unification confirmed Friday that its vice minister met with US Forces commander and head of the UN Command Vincent Brooks a day before the UNC rejected Seoul’s plans to test-run a cross-border railway. “On Aug. 22, Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung met with Gen. Vincent Brooks to explain and ask for cooperation on various matters concerning inter-Korean ties such as the reunions of families separated by the Korean War while exchanging opinions on joint survey of

North Korea Aug. 31, 2018

The United Nations Command declined the two Koreas’ request to test-run a train on a cross-border railway last week, sources said Thursday, fueling speculation that the US might be reluctant to support inter-Korean projects amid stalled denuclearization talks with North Korea. A test operation of a train connecting the South’s capital of Seoul to the North’s Shinuiju, which lies on the border with China, was initially planned for Aug. 22-27 as part of the Koreas’ joint field survey on modernizin

North Korea Aug. 30, 2018

North Korea’s state media on Wednesday called for South Korea to faithfully implement the Panmunjom Declaration, while lambasting the US’ decision to maintain its pressure campaign against the communist nation, amid perceived stalled nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang. “In order to lend support for the current move toward reconciliation, unity and reunification, (we) should continue to push ahead with implementation of the historic Panmunjom Declaration,” North Korea’s daily Rodong S

North Korea Aug. 29, 2018

Next year’s allocation to the inter-Korean cooperation fund spiked 14.3 percent on-year to 1.1 trillion won ($994 million) in the government budget announced Tuesday, with the sharp increase reflecting Seoul’s hopes of expanding and making headway in cross-border projects. Unification-related budget stood at 1.3 trillion won.　The larger allocation aims to facilitate the implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration reached between the leaders of the two Koreas in April. The agreement states that t

North Korea Aug. 28, 2018

Regarding the possibility of holding another round of reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War in October, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification said it would have to observe negotiations between the two Koreas. “(We) will have to further watch the circumstances surrounding (the arrangement of) the reunion event, such as inter-Korean negotiations. We have continued to raise the urgency and the need to resolve the issue of separated families on various occasions,” Baik Tae-hyun, m

North Korea Aug. 27, 2018

Eighty-nine elderly South Koreans met their North Korean family members for what is likely to be the last time on Wednesday, in a reminder of the war that continues to plague the Korean Peninsula. A group reunion session began around 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Kumgangsan Resort on the east coast of North Korea, wrapping up the first round of a reunion event for families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. South Korean Kim Byung-oh and his North Korean sister Kim Soon-ok wipe their tears at their

North Korea Aug. 22, 2018