North Korea’s successful launch of a long-range rocket is sparking fresh speculation over the communist state’s covert partnership with Iran, another rogue nuclear aspirant. A string of news reports and leaked diplomatic cables have constantly suggested that the two pariah states cooperate on developing atomic weapons and ballistic missiles through personnel exchanges and technology sharing. Despite Tehran’s denial, U.S. Congress is pushing to highlight the decades-long ties in its upcoming reso

North Korea Dec. 20, 2012

TOKYO (AP) ― A North Korean satellite launched into space last week appears to be malfunctioning but could remain in orbit for several years, a leading expert in the United States said Tuesday.North Korea says the satellite is working. Even if it isn’t, its successful launch into space marks a milestone in the impoverished country’s technological advances, especially given accusations that the rocket launch was actually a test of systems that could be used to launch long-range missiles targeting

North Korea Dec. 19, 2012

PYONGYANG (AP) ― North Korea unveiled the embalmed body of Kim Jong-il, still in his trademark khaki jumpsuit, on the anniversary of his death Monday as mourning mixed with pride over a recent satellite launch that was a long-held goal of the late authoritarian leader.Kim lies in state a few floors below his father, national founder Kim Il-sung, in the Kumsusan mausoleum, the cavernous former presidential palace. Kim Jong-il is presented lying beneath a red blanket, a spotlight shining on his fa

North Korea Dec. 19, 2012

Relations between South Korea and Japan appear to be hanging in the balance as Tokyo’s revitalized conservatives are poised to roll out more nationalist foreign and territorial policies after a landslide win in Sunday’s election. With a supermajority in the Diet, the Liberal Democratic Party is expected to focus on resuscitating the long-moribund economy and building a “normal” state. Concerns are growing that Tokyo’s swing to the right could further aggravate historical and territorial friction

Foreign Affairs Dec. 17, 2012

South Korea is pushing for a sea transport embargo against North Korea as one of options to respond Pyongyang‘s long-range rocket launch, a senior presidential official said Thursday. The official said Seoul will consult with other countries over the punitive action which he said would be have a significant impact on the North’s trade.“We are considering sanctions in marine transport. Now that we have already set the legal grounds (over the restriction of the North’s sea transport), we will star

North Korea Dec. 13, 2012

North Korea’s successful launch of a long-range rocket is expected to strengthen the power base of Kim Jong-un one year after the young leader inherited the world’s only communist dynasty. The unanticipated launch came early Wednesday, flouting international warnings against what is suspected to be cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test. The North’s official news agency said its “satellite has entered the planned orbit.”It marks the second launch attempt under the Swiss-educated, 2

North Korea Dec. 12, 2012

A fresh batch of evidence emerged Friday bolstering speculation that North Korea may be counting down to another rocket launch. After analyzing Nov. 23 and 26 aerial photos, the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said the communist country may be able to complete preparations at its Dongchang station by the end of next week. “If Pyongyang follows past practice in preparing for a launch, it could be ready to fire a rocket as early as the end of the first week in December,” Nick Hans

North Korea Nov. 30, 2012

With its population becoming more multicultural and aging rapidly, Korea should debate more vigorously ways to embrace immigrants and foster inclusive growth, Kim Woo-sang, president of the Korea Foundation, said Friday. As the number of foreign residents steadily grows, the mainstay of policy discourses has shifted from whether to accept migrants to how best to accommodate them, he told a forum on multiculturalism in Seoul.“Accommodation and integration of intercultural differences into nationa

Social Affairs Nov. 30, 2012

Tension is escalating over North Korea’s suspected preparation for a rocket launch, apparently aimed at raising the stakes in its relations with Seoul’s next government and the Obama administration in its second term. U.S. satellite imagery has captured increased movement at the North’s Sohae launch station in the western town of Dongchang. Analysts say that the possibility is not so high for the North to proceed with the launch but the activity may upend burgeoning hopes for a thaw in cross-bor

North Korea Nov. 28, 2012

Pyeonghwa Motors Corp. has been a symbol of reconciliation between the two Koreas since the Unification Church unveiled its ambitious joint venture with the communist North in 2000. Twelve years later, Tongil Group, the church’s colossal business empire, appears to be retreating from the partnership in favor of more lucrative, less risky sectors like retail and food. Park Sang-kwon, president of the Seoul-based auto company, is seeking to cancel its license for economic cooperation with North Ko

North Korea Nov. 27, 2012