North Korean leader urges officials to wage battle against 'unrevolutionary acts' North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during a party meeting in Pyongyang, June 12. YonhapNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un called on officials at a party meeting to root out "unrevolutionary" acts such as bureaucracy, state media said Monday.The secretariat of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party convened the meeting the previous day in Pyongyang to discuss immediate tasks faced by the party, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).During the party, Kim urged party officials to wage a more intense battle against unhealthy acts and bureaucracy, it said.The meeting also discussed the issue of strengthening the role of the party to implement the national tasks discussed at the fifth enlarged plenary meeting of the party's eighth Central Committee last week.At a party congress last year, the North revised the ruling party's rules to reinstate the secretariat that was scrapped in 2016 and elected Kim as "general secretary" of the party. (Yonhap)Jun 13, 2022
INTERVIEW Anti-leaflet law, clear violation of UN treaty, must be revoked: rights expert Activists fly balloons bearing the message, “Kim Jong-un is the enemy of the people,” in Paju near the inter-Korean border, in this June 4, 2020, file photo. South Korea's anti-leaflet law that bans sending anti-regime leaflets across the inter-Korean border is a clear violation of a United Nations treaty and it must be revoked, according to an international human rights advocate. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukYoon urged to learn from Moon's policy that served to 'just embolden' North KoreaBy Jung Min-hoPhil RobertsonSouth Korea's anti-leaflet law that bans sending anti-regime leaflets across the inter-Korean border is a clear violation of a United Nations treaty and it must be revoked, according to an international human rights advocate. Under the law, enacted in 2020 during the previous Moon Jae-in administration after North Korea threatened retaliation over the sending of such leaflets into its territory, violators could face up to three years in prison. Park Sang-hak, the head of a group known for launching balloons with human rights and pro-democracy messages intoJun 13, 2022By Jung Min-ho
N. Korea fires presumed artillery shots: S. Korean military Multiple rocket launchers appear during North Korea's military parade in this Jan. 14, 2021 photo released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). NewsisNorth Korea fired artillery shots Sunday, presumably from multiple rocket launchers, South Korea's military said, in what would be yet another show of force by the reclusive regime.The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a text message to reporters that it had detected "several trajectories" believed to be artillery shots from around 8:07 a.m. to 11:03 a.m. It gave no additional details, such as the exact number of shots launched and the origin of the firing."While bolstering our military's surveillance and vigilance, South Korea and the United States are working closely and maintaining a thorough readiness posture," the JCS said.The launch came a week after North Korea fired eight short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea. (Yonhap)Jun 12, 2022
North Korean leader extends full support to Putin amid war in Ukraine North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a post-summit dinner at the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Russia, April 25, 2019, in this photo carried by the Korean Central News Agency the next day. YonhapNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed full support Sunday for Russian President Vladimir Putin, the country's state media reported, despite international condemnation for the latter's invasion of Ukraine.The Russian people have "achieved great successes in accomplishing the just cause of defending the dignity and security of their country ... while braving all sorts of challenges and hardships," Kim said in a message to Putin on the occasion of Russia Day, according to North's official Korean Central News Agency. "The Korean people extend full support and encouragement to them."Kim's apparent reference to the unprovoked attack against Ukraine as a "just cause" for defending Russia's security is the latest sign that illustrates decades-old close bilateral ties between the two countries.Pyongyang has recently stressed itsJun 12, 2022
Kim urges stronger national defense; no new direct message on US, S. Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presides over the fifth enlarged plenary meeting of the party's eighth Central Committee in Pyongyang, held from June 8 to 10, in this photo, released by the North's Korean Central News Agency, June 11. YonhapNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for stronger "self-defense" measures to tackle "very serious" security challenges as he presided over a key ruling party session earlier this week, Pyongyang's state media reported Saturday. But there was no specific message issued from the fifth enlarged plenary meeting of the party's eighth Central Committee with regard to the secretive regime carrying out another nuclear weapon test. The North stopped short of delivering new major messages on the United States or South Korea through the three-day high-profile session that ended Friday.It instead announced the promotion of Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, who used to play a key role in denuclearization talks, to the post of foreign minister.Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon has been tapped to lead the party's United Front Department tasked with handling interJun 11, 2022
In unusual move N. Korea keeps mum on key party meeting Participants arrive at the headquarters of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea's Central Committee in Pyongyang for a major meeting, in this photo released by North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency, Wednesday. AP-YonhapNorth Korea has not yet made public the details of the latest major meeting of its ruling Workers' Party of Korea in what the South Korean government views as a highly unusual move. On Thursday, the North's state media reported that the fifth enlarged plenary meeting of the party's eighth Central Committee kicked off in Pyongyang the previous day with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance.As of Friday morning, however, the official Korean Central News Agency and other North Korean media outlets have not carried articles on the session, while the outside world is monitoring the possibility of a new message from the secretive regime especially in regard to inter-Korean relations, stalled denuclearization talks with the United States or its reported plan for another nuclear weapon test.The Ministry of Unification pointed out that it was "unusual" for the North to stJun 10, 2022
Defense ministry pushes for new post focusing on North Korea's threats: sources A TV screen is seen at a train station in Seoul, June 5, showing a news program reporting about Sunday's North Korean missile launch with a file image. North Korea test-fired a salvo of multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea Sunday, South Korea's military said, extending a provocative streak in weapons demonstrations this year that U.S. and South Korean officials say may culminate with a nuclear weapon test. AP-YonhapThe defense ministry is seeking to create a new policy post handling North Korea's military threats and to abolish an existing one dedicated to promoting cross-border reconciliation, informed sources said Thursday.The move came in line with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's avowed stance to sternly deal with the North's nuclear weapon and missile threats amid concerns about the possibility of the regime carrying out a nuclear test."The (new) defense policy bureau is designed with a focus on crisis management amid the evolving and shifting security conditions," a source said on the condition of anonymity.Under the envisioned reorganization scheme, the minJun 9, 2022
Seoul calls on Pyongyang in UN meeting to stop provocations South Korea's Ambassador to the United Nations Cho Hyun speaks during a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly after China and Russia vetoed new sanctions on North Korea in the U.N. Security Council, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, June 8. Reuters-Yonhap South Korea's top representative to the U.N. called on North Korea, Wednesday, to stop its provocative activities and engage in dialogue.Ambassador Cho Hyun made the remarks in a U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York to discuss the recent failure of the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution regarding North Korea."We are here today to debate the outcome of the Security Council meeting held on May 26. It is with deep regret that the Security Council, for the first time in handling the DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile programs since 2006, has failed to respond to the DPRK's serious provocations," Cho told the meeting, according to a transcript of his remarks released later by the South Korean mission Jun 9, 2022
US will react with 'robust response' to N. Korean nuclear test: Sullivan A woman watches a TV screen at a train station in Seoul, June 5, showing a news program reporting about a North Korean missile launch with file footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. North Korea test-fired a salvo of multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea Sunday, South Korea's military said, extending a provocative streak in weapons demonstrations this year that U.S. and South Korean officials say may culminate with a nuclear weapon test. AP-YonhapThe United States is closely monitoring the possibility of North Korea conducting its seventh nuclear weapon test, which if conducted, will prompt a robust response from the U.S., National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Wednesday.However, he said the U.S. remains open to dialogue and will continue to do so."We are also watching very closely the continuing possibility of a nuclear test, to which we would also have a robust response," Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to California with President Joe Biden for the upcoming Summit of Americas there.His remarks come one day after U.S. Special Jun 9, 2022
PPP floor leader warns North Korea has nothing to gain from provocations Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party (PPP) / Yonhap North Korea will receive nothing from provocations but sanctions and punishment from the international community, the floor leader of the ruling party said Wednesday amid concerns the North could conduct its seventh nuclear weapon test in the coming days. Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the People Power Party (PPP) made the remarks in a consultative meeting with officials from the ruling party, the government and the presidential office, including Foreign Minister Park Jin and Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop. "North Korea's armed provocations, as well as nuclear tests, are simply reckless gambling with the lives of North Koreans," Kweon said. "We are giving them a clear warning."On Sunday, North Korea fired eight short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, which was its 18th show of force this year and the third since President Yoon Suk-yeol took office May 10. The anticipation for Pyongyang'Jun 8, 2022
