North Korea state media outlets remain silent about SLBM launch A news report on a North Korean short-range ballistic missile launch is aired on a TV screen at Seoul Station, May 7. YonhapNorth Korea's official news agency and other state media outlets remained silent Sunday about a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) that the country fired the previous day in its latest saber-rattling ahead of the inauguration of South Korea's incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol.The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang's official mouthpiece, usually begins its morning news cycle with reports on major events that happened the previous day, such as leader Kim Jong-un's activities or major weapons testing.But on Sunday, the KCNA made no mention of the SLBM launch, which, according to South Korea's military, was carried out Saturday afternoon in waters off the North's eastern coastal city of Sinpo, the North's main submarine shipyard.The Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, and other media outlets also remained silent on the launch.The missile test, which marked the North's 15th show of force this year, came just three days before Yoon takes officMay 8, 2022
South Korea condemns North Korea's launch of ballistic missile People watch a TV at Seoul Railway Station, May 7, showing a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program. AP-Yonhap The presidential National Security Council (NSC) said Saturday it condemned North Korea's latest launch of a ballistic missile, strongly calling on Pyongyang to stop actions that pose a threat to the Korean Peninsula and return to the path of dialogue. Following an emergency meeting held shortly after North Korea test-fired an apparent submarine-launched ballistic missile, the NSC blamed North Korea for violating U.N. Security Council resolutions. In a statement, the NSC said, "North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and poses a serious threat to the Korean Peninsula, the region and the international society, and condemns it." The NSC also "strongly urges North Korea to stop repeated missile launches and return to the path of a diplomatic solution." North Korea launched an appMay 7, 2022
North Korea fires apparent SLBM off east coast People watch a TV screen at a train station in Seoul showing a news program reporting about a North Korean missile launch with file footage, May 4. North Korea launched an apparent submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from waters off its east coast Saturday, South Korea's military said, in the recalcitrant regime's latest saber-rattling that comes three days before President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration. AP-YonhapNorth Korea fired an apparent submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from waters off its east coast Saturday, South Korea's military said, in the recalcitrant regime's latest saber-rattling that comes three days before President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration.The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch in waters off the North's eastern coastal city of Sinpo at 2:07 p.m. Other details were not immediately known.The latest launch marks the North's 15th show of such force this year, coming just three days after the reclusive regime test-fired what was thought to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)."The intelligence authorities oMay 7, 2022
Yoon says any meetings with North Korean leader should be for 'tangible' results Incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol / Courtesy of Yoon's press office President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has said he is willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but talks should only take place when they produce tangible results on the North's denuclearization or cross-border exchanges."There is no reason to shun meetings (with Kim). But if such meetings are only for show and fail to have practical results on denuclearization and our economic assistance to the North, they will not be helpful for denuclearizing the North and advancing inter-Korean relations," Yoon said in a recent interview with the Voice of America (VOA) reported Saturday.Asked about any preconditions for a possible summit with Kim, Yoon said they would be set via working-level consultations with Pyongyang.Yoon, however, pointed to the need to boost inter-Korean exchanges in the cultural and sports fields "as Korean people.""It is crucial to send consistent signals and messages to the North (wiMay 7, 2022
North Korea could stage nuclear test this month: State Dept. A TV screen at a train station in Seoul shows a news program reporting on North Korea's missile launch with file footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, May 4. North Korea may be preparing to stage a nuclear test as early as this month, a state department spokesperson said Friday. AP-Yonhap North Korea may be preparing to stage a nuclear test as early as this month, a state department spokesperson said Friday.Jalina Porter said the U.S. has also shared the information with allies and partners."The United States assesses that the DPRK is preparing its Punggye-ri test site and could be ready to conduct a test there as early as this month, which would be its seventh test," the principal deputy spokesperson said in a telephone press briefing.DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.Earlier reports have said the North appeared to be repairing underground tunnels at Punggye-ri that were purportedly dismantled in 2018 as a siMay 7, 2022
North Korea denounces Sweden, Finland over NATO application Swedish and NATO flags are seen printed on paper in this April 13 photo. Reuters-Yonhap North Korea's foreign ministry denounced Sweden and Finland, Friday, for their expected applications to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and accused the United States of political motives behind the move.In a post on its website, the ministry said that the NATO membership of the Nordic countries will only aggravate military confrontation with Russia and "upset" the military balance in the Baltic Sea area."The above facts prove that the U.S. and the West are taking the Ukrainian situation as a golden opportunity to compress the strategic space of Russia by tightening the encircling net around Russia," it argued.The ministry then warned that such moves by the U.S. and other western nations will inevitably provoke a stronger reaction from Russia.Pyongyang's message came as the White House stated that Washington can "address any concerns either country may have abouMay 6, 2022
Gov't to hold cultural events for North Korean defectors next week The Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center in western Seoul / Courtesy of Ministry of Unification The unification ministry said Friday its inter-Korean culture center will hold a series of events next week as part of efforts to boost rapport between South Koreans and North Korean defectors living in the country.The Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center, located in western Seoul, plans to host various events to be attended by defectors, such as plays, concerts and exhibitions, from Monday to Saturday on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the center's opening, according to the ministry handling inter-Korean affairs.The center opened May 13, 2020, with the goal of encouraging communication between North Korean defectors and South Koreans. (Yonhap)May 6, 2022
North Korea slams Yoon as 'pro-US, confrontational' Incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol / YonhapA major North Korean propaganda website denounced on Thursday South Korea's incoming president Yoon Suk-yeol, who has vowed to take a tougher line on weapons tests by Pyongyang, describing him as "pro-United States", and "confrontational".The North's state media have yet to make formal comments on Yoon, a conservative who is set to take office on May 10, but the website Uriminzokkiri issued scathing criticism ahead of his inauguration."Yoon Suk-yeol had aroused shock with such preposterous remarks as 'preemptive strike' and 'main enemy,' and stirred up confrontational madness trumpeting a 'stronger South Korea-U.S. alliance,'" it said.It was referring to comments by Yoon that he would allow a pre-emptive strike on North Korea if signs of attack were imminent, and his description of the neighboring nation as a "main enemy".That description of the North has been shunned by outgoing progressive President Moon Jae-in, who had sought to improve relations.The propaganda site's remarks are a departure from past practice, when state media have trumpetMay 5, 2022
Pyongyang fires ballistic missile ahead of Yoon's inauguration A photo released by the North Korean Central News Agency shows a new Hwasong-17 missile displayed in a military parade held to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, April 25. EPA-Yonhap Yoon's transition team denounces provocationBy Ko Dong-hwanNorth Korea has fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea, Wednesday, according to South Korea's military. It was the Kim Jong-un regime's 14th missile launch this year and came six days before President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony on May 10. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from the Sunan area in the North's capital, Pyongyang, at around 12:00 p.m. It flew 470 kilometers in distance and at an altitude of 780 kilometers.The JCS said the South Korean military, shortly after detecting the missile launch, started tracking and monitoring related movements and maintained readiness positions for a possible follow-up missile launch by North Korea.The JCS said its chairman, Won In-choul, and United States Forces KoreMay 4, 2022By Ko Dong-hwan
South Korea 'strongly condemns' North's ballistic missile launch People watch a TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch with file footage, at a train station in Seoul, May 4. AP-YonhapThe presidential National Security Council (NSC) said Wednesday it "strongly condemns" North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile as a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Following an emergency meeting held shortly after North Korea fired the missile toward the East Sea, the NSC called for Pyongyang to stop actions that pose a serious threat to the Korean Peninsula and the international society. The NSC also urged North Korea to swiftly return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. North Korea fired the ballistic missile toward the East Sea, South Korea's military said, in the North's latest saber-rattling that comes less than a week before President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration.The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from the Sunan area in Pyongyang at 12:03 p.m. and that the missile flew 470 kilometers at a top altitude of 780 km and speed of Mach 11. (Yonhap)May 4, 2022
