North Korea may delay nuclear test until end of China's party congress: experts North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is surrounded by war veterans during an event celebrating the 69th anniversary of end of the Korean War (1950-53) in front of the Monument to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War in Pyongyang, North Korea, Thursday, in this photo released Friday by the official North Korean Central News Agency. YonhapKim honors Beijing's support on 69th anniversary of end of Korean WarBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korea may postpone its next nuclear weapons test for several months until the end of the National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the country's most important event in years, according to experts Friday.The North has completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test, intelligence reports show. But it has not taken action for months. Experts say China is most likely the reason behind the delay as Pyongyang's test will certainly take away the world's attention from the crucial political event and might lead to the worst-case scenario for Chinese leaders, especially President Xi Jinping, who seeks to secure a precedent-defying third term in power there.In Jul 29, 2022By Jung Min-ho
North Korean leader says blood-sealed ties with China will develop for generations North Korean leader Kim Jong-un lays a wreath at the Friendship Tower to pay tribute to the fallen Chinese soldiers fought in the war, Thursday, in this photo released by the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) the following day. YonhapNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country's ties with China, "sealed in blood," will further develop for generations to come as he marked the anniversary of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War, state media said Friday.On Thursday, Kim visited the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang and paid tribute to the fallen Chinese soldiers that fought in the war, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.The Korean War armistice was signed July 27, 1953, a little over three years after the North invaded the South, backed by China and the then Soviet Union. Calling the conflict the Great Fatherland Liberation War, the North has designated the anniversary as Victory Day.Kim stressed that the "brilliant combat merits and feats of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) officers and men, obviously recorded in the history of the great victJul 29, 2022
Presidential office expresses 'deep regret' over NK leader's criticism of Yoon Presidential spokeswoman Kang In-sun speaks during a press briefing about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's remarks during his speech at the North's Victory Day event, at the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan District, Thursday. The presidential office expressed “deep regret” over Kim's remarks made the previous day that he can no longer watch the "indecency" and "bravado" of Yoon and "his military gangsters," and will annihilate both the Yoon administration and the military if they attempt a preemptive strike on the North. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon The presidential office expressed "deep regret" Thursday after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un lashed out at President Yoon Suk-yeol by name.Kim said in a Victory Day speech the previous day that he can no longer watch the "indecency" and "bravado" of Yoon and "his military gangsters," and will annihilate both the Yoon administration and the military if they attempt a preemptive strike on the North."We expreJul 28, 2022
South Korea's new envoy for North Korean rights vows efforts for 'human security' Lee Shin-wha, South Korea's new envoy for North Korean human rights, talks with Foreign Minister Park Jin at the foreign ministry in Seoul, Thursday. YonhapSouth Korea's new envoy for North Korean human rights emphasized her commitment Thursday to enhancing "human security" in the reclusive country, as she received her appointment certificate from Foreign Minister Park Jin.Lee Shin-wha, political science professor at Korea University, filled the position that had been vacant for years since the inaugural ambassador, Lee Jung-hoon, left office in September 2017.Her appointment came as the South has apparently shifted to a more proactive stance in handling the North Korean human rights issue under the conservative Yoon Suk-yeol administration in a policy shift from the preceding liberal Moon Jae-in administration."Mentioning the human rights issue may be a sensitive issue for the North Korean regime, but for its people, the issue is a matter of life or death," she said in a meeting with reporters. "I believe (my role) is to call on the North Korean regime to (ensure) not regime securitJul 28, 2022
NK leader warns S. Korean gov't, military to be annihilated in event of preemptive strike bid North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un speaks during an event celebrating the 69th anniversary of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War, held in Pyongyang, Wednesday, in this photo released by the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency the following day. Yonhap North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned that South Korea's Yoon Suk-yeol government and its "military gangsters" will face annihilation should it make any "dangerous attempt" like a preemptive strike, according to Pyongyang's state media Thursday.Kim issued the strongly worded, direct warning against the South's conservative administration, coupled with biting criticism of the United States, in his speech the previous day marking the 69th anniversary of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. Pyongyang calls the anniversary "Victory Day" and commemorates it in a celebratory mood.Kim mentioned South Korea's president by name three times in the address and branded its military as gangsters, Jul 28, 2022
North Korean economy shrinks for 2nd year in 2021 on sanctions, pandemic: BOK A sign is seen on a street closed to traffic, amid growing fears over the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Pyongyang, May 18. Reuters-YonhapNorth Korea's economy is estimated to have contracted for the second straight year in 2021 on global sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic, South Korea's central bank said Wednesday.The North's economy, which has been hit by tightened U.N. sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs, shrank 0.1 percent last year from the prior year, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said in a report.Still, last year's contraction slowed from a negative growth rate of 4.5 percent recorded a year earlier. On top of the U.N. sanctions, the reclusive country also took a hit from the closure of its border with China, Pyongyang's biggest economic ally, according to the central bank.The BOK's annual report is based on data from South Korean institutions specializing in North Korea, which does not publish official economic data. North Korea's foreign trade sank 17.3 percent on-year to $710 million in 2021 as shipments to and from China, the North's biggest traJul 27, 2022
North Korea holds national conference of war veterans without leader Kim's attendance Korean War veterans of North Korea arrive in Pyongyang by bus to attend a national conference to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, July 25. The North calls the 1950-53 war the Fatherland Liberation War and designates the armistice signing date as Victory Day. YonhapNorth Korea held a national conference of war veterans to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, state media said Wednesday.The 8th National Conference of War Veterans took place in Pyongyang the previous day without leader Kim Jong-un in attendance, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).The North celebrates the anniversary of the Korean War armistice that was signed on July 27, 1953. The North calls the conflict the Great Fatherland Liberation War and designated the armistice signing date as "Victory Day."The KCNA said members of the presidium of the political bureau, including Jo Yong-won, and other senior party officials attended the conference but made no mention of leader Kim. Kim has stayed out of public view for over two weeks.It marked thJul 27, 2022
US will react appropriately to any North Korean nuclear test: Kirby Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, March 22. The United States and its allies will take appropriate steps to hold North Korea accountable should the recalcitrant country conduct a nuclear test. AP-YonhapThe United States and its allies will take appropriate steps to hold North Korea accountable should the recalcitrant country conduct a nuclear test, a National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson said Tuesday.John Kirby, NSC coordinator for strategic communications, also noted the North may continue to be ready to conduct a test."We have been very clear that North Korea could be ready to conduct a nuclear test. That is something we said very, very openly," Kirby said in a press briefing, held virtually."These tests have in the past and if they test in the future will in the future just add to the insecurity and instability on the Korean Peninsula," he added. "Again, we would react appropriately along with allies and partners."Seoul and Washington have both said the North appears to have completed all preparations for what will be its Jul 27, 2022
North Korea may conduct nuke test to mark 'Victory Day': minister Unification minister Kwon Young-se / YonhapSouth Korea's unification minister did not rule out the possibility of North Korea carrying out a nuclear test on the occasion of what it calls "Victory Day" this week, speaking publicly Tuesday."I think there is such a possibility," Kwon Young-se said, when asked about the issue during a radio interview here. The North is marking the 69th anniversary on Wednesday of the 1953 armistice, which effectively ended the Korean War. Pyongyang calls the national holiday the Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War, or Victory Day.The minister, who serves as Seoul's top point man on Pyongyang, noted the North is set to hold a national conference of war veterans within the coming days.Keen attention is being paid to whether the country's leader Kim Jong-un will attend the Pyongyang event and deliver a new message on the regime's external policies. Kim has been out of public view for over two weeks. The North carried out its sixth and last nuclear test in September 2017. It has completed all preparations for another underground nuclear tesJul 26, 2022
DPK lawmaker says repatriated North Korean fishermen were not headed to South Korea In this file photo, Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea speaks at a press conference at the National Assembly on June 29. Korea Times fileA lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) claimed Monday the two North Korean fishermen who were repatriated in 2019 appeared to have attempted to sneak themselves somewhere else rather than defect to South Korea.The claim refutes the incumbent government and the ruling party's claim that the preceding Moon Jae-in administration sent the North Koreans back to their homeland, where they could face harsh punishment, even though they had expressed a desire to defect to South Korea."Instead of heading to South Korea, it seems their purpose was to go into hiding after passing through South Korea or another country," DPK Rep. Kim Byung-joo said on TBS radio without providing reasons for the claim.Kim said the North Koreans would have been a "serious threat" to the country, citing the previous administration's finding that they had confessed to killing 16 fellow crew members before expressing a desirJul 25, 2022
