S. Korean soldier misfires machine gun toward inter-Korean borderA South Korean soldier stationed at a front-line unit near the inter-Korean border accidentally fired a machine gun toward North Korea earlier this week, prompting the military to air broadcasts to notify the North of the incident, the military said Thursday. The soldier mistakenly fired a single round from the K6 heavy machine gun from a general outpost unit in Yangju, some 25 kilometers north of Seoul, at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the military. "The respective unit immediately conducted a broadcast to the North to notify of the incident and no unusual movements by the North Korean military have been detected so far," Yang Seung-kwan, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), told a regular press briefing. Wednesday's incident occurred just about a month after a South Korean soldier accidentally fired a single round from the K6 from a guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas in Cheorwon County, about 70 kilometers north of the capital. Yang, the JCS official, said the military has launched an investigation into the case and will review meMay 29, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea completes renovation of Tumen River railway station linked to RussiaNorth Korea has completed the renovation of a railway station that links the country to Russia across the Tumen River, state media reported Thursday, in the latest sign of the two countries' closer alignment. A ceremony marking the completion of the Tumen River Station's renovation was held at the site the previous day, attended by the railway minister, other officials and workers, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. "As the Tumen River Station was constructed in accordance with its mission to serve as a border gateway station, it is now capable of guaranteeing passenger convenience at a high level and contributing to railway modernization," the KCNA noted. Situated just below the Tumen River on North Korea's northeastern border with Russia, the station is connected to Russia's Khasan Station by a bridge. The North's 512-kilometer-long Tumen River serves as its boundary with both China and Russia. An official at South Korea's unification ministry said a roof appears to have been installed over the station's platform and waiting room during the renovation to improve convenience forMay 29, 2025By Yonhap
Vice ministers of N. Korea, Russia discuss closer cooperation: KCNADeputy chiefs of North Korea's public security ministry and Russia's interior ministry have discussed pursuing closer cooperation during their talks in Pyongyang, the North's state media reported Thursday. The talks were held the previous day in the North Korean capital between Vice Public Security Minister Ri Song-chol and Vice Interior Minister Vitaly Shulika, attended by officials from the two ministries, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. "During the talks, issues to expand and develop exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' safety agencies were discussed ... in an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship," the KCNA said. A delegation from Russia's interior ministry, led by Shulika, arrived in Pyongyang on Monday, according to the KCNA's earlier report. Also on Wednesday, Shulika and his delegation met with North Korea's Minister of Public Security Pang Tu-sop, accompanied by Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexandr Matsegora, the KCNA said. The KCNA said the delegation also toured various sites in the capital, including the Juche Tower and the subway system.May 29, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korean POWs in Ukraine not included in Kyiv-Moscow prisoner swap: lawmakerNorth Korean soldiers currently held captive in Ukraine were not part of the recent exchange of prisoners of war between Kyiv and Moscow, a South Korean lawmaker said Tuesday. Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the People Power Party said the two soldiers, surnamed Ri and Baek, respectively, were not included in the list of soldiers exchanged between Ukraine and Russia from Friday to Sunday, citing a Ukrainian source. Earlier this month, Ukraine and Russia agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war each during talks in Istanbul, raising questions as to whether the two North Koreans, captured by Ukrainian forces in January, could be part of the exchange. Citing another source, Yu said they were not included in the latest exchange at Seoul's request to Kyiv, as South Korea is willing to accept them if they wish to defect to the South. Among the two, Ri has expressed his intention to come to South Korea. Yu met the two during his visit to Ukraine in February. In an audio recording released by the lawmaker, Ri expressed concern over his parents possibly being executed if he goes back to North Korea in a prisonMay 27, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea blasts US Golden Dome missile defense plan as 'space nuclear war scenario'North Korea on Tuesday denounced the Donald Trump administration's plan to establish a Golden Dome missile defense system involving space-based interceptors as an attempt to pursue an outer space nuclear war scenario. The North Korean foreign ministry's Institute for American Studies issued the criticism in a memorandum dated Monday and carried by the Korean Central News Agency, a week after President Trump announced a $175 billion plan to construct the Golden Dome missile defense system before the end of his term. The plan comes as Washington seeks to counter evolving threats from North Korea, China and Russia, following Trump's January executive order to build an "Iron Dome for America" to address threats posed by ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles, and other advanced aerial attacks. North Korea described the U.S. missile defense system plan as "a very dangerous threatening initiative" aimed at facilitating the use of the offensive military muscle of the U.S. forces. The institute accused the United States of attempting the military subjugation of its "satellite countries" throuMay 27, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea's Mount Kumgang likely to win UNESCO World Heritage status after 4-year bidNorth Korea's Mount Kumgang is expected to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site following a four-year application process, UNESCO said Tuesday. Mount Kumgang has long been regarded as one of Korea's most scenic mountains for its breathtaking beauty that changes with the seasons. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which serve as advisory bodies to the World Heritage Committee, have recommended the inclusion of Mount Kumgang on the UNESCO World Heritage list, according to UNESCO. The official name submitted by North Korea is Mt. Kumgang - Diamond Mountain from the Sea. North Korea submitted its application for World Heritage inscription in 2021, but the site's review was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation resumed this year.May 27, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea's state security minister visits Russia; meeting with Shoigu expectedNorth Korea's state security minister has left for Russia to attend an international meeting of officials in charge of security affairs, the North's state media reported Tuesday, amid deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. A delegation, led by Minister Ri Chang-dae, departed Pyongyang the previous day to attend the 13th meeting of high representatives handling security issues, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Ri is expected to have talks with Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Moscow. Russia's Security Council said last week Shoigu will hold talks with officials from North Korea, Iran, India and other countries on May 28-29 on the sidelines of the meeting of high representatives responsible for security issues. The meeting between Ri and Shoigu comes as North Korea acknowledged for the first time in April that it has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. Experts said they may use the upcoming talks to discuss North Korean troops' future moves and the issues related to the repatriation of the rMay 27, 2025By Yonhap
North Korea detains 4 officials over failed launch of naval destroyerNorth Korean authorities have detained four officials over the recent failed launch of a naval destroyer , an incident that leader Kim Jong-un said was caused by criminal negligence, state media said. It's rare for North Korea to publicly impose severe punishments against officials over botched weapons tests or military displays. The weekend arrests of the four officials signal how serious Kim is about his military build-up plan and bolstering discipline at home. The 5,000-ton-class destroyer was damaged Wednesday in the presence of Kim when a transport cradle on the ship’s stern detached early during a launch ceremony at the northeastern port of Chongjin. Satellite imagery on the site showed the vessel lying on its side and draped in blue covers, with parts of the ship submerged. The incident infuriated Kim as the warship — the country's second known destroyer — is key to his naval forces modernization plan. Kim quickly blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for what he called a “criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientifMay 26, 2025By AP
Immediate inter-Korean summit infeasible, Lee Jae-myung saysHolding an inter-Korean summit is necessary but it would be difficult in the near future, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, said Monday. Asked by reporters about his unification policy, Lee said he would push to resume talks with Pyongyang if he becomes president, hinting at reversing the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s policy focused on deterrence against ― rather than negotiation with ― the North regime. “I don’t know if it would be possible. It is going to be very difficult, given the circumstances. But of course we should prepare and make it possible,” Lee said. Lee's stance is somewhat different from the usual stance of liberal administrations in the past, which used to set inter-Korean talks as a policy priority. This reflects the current inter-Korean relations which have been at their lowest in decades, with the North identifying the South as a separate and hostile nation and strengthening military ties with Russia in recent years. Since taking office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear that he wants tMay 26, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Security concerns behind N. Korea's objection to UNESCO Geopark status for S. Korean islandsSecurity concerns have been cited as the reason behind North Korea's objection to a UNESCO Global Geopark designation for a group of South Korean western border islands, diplomatic sources said Monday. North Korea cited "security reasons" when it filed an objection with UNESCO earlier this month to the agency's consideration of the Baengnyeong, Daecheong and Socheong islands for UNESCO Global Geopark status, according to the sources. In November, South Korea's Incheon government submitted the islands just south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) — the de facto maritime border with North Korea — to UNESCO for consideration as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The regional government later said North Korea had filed a written objection May 19, resulting in a halt to the designation process. The sources said North Korea's latest action was confirmed informally, suggesting it may take more time for the South Korean government to receive an official notice from UNESCO, as the process requires the complainant's consent. North Korea's objection is likely tied to its refusal to recognize the NLL as theMay 26, 2025By Yonhap
