North Korea lowers threshold for nuclear use: experts A photo by the North's official Korean Central News Agency shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center, presiding over a military parade to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, Monday. YonhapPyongyang unveils state-of-the-art weapons at military paradeBy Kang Seung-wooNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un's commemorative speech at a recent military parade is raising fears that the totalitarian state's nuclear strategy is shifting toward using nuclear weapons for offensive purposes, not just for a retaliatory strike. On Monday night, Pyongyang staged a military showcase on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), during which Kim said his nuclear forces “will have to decisively accomplish its unexpected second mission” if any forces try to violate the “fundamental interests” of his country.Kim's unexpected remarks ― a sign of a change in the country's nuclear doctrine ― have prompted diplomatic observers to worry that the threshold for the Apr 27, 2022By Kang Seung-woo
North Korea struggling to secure 'advanced' nuclear technology: expert North Korea's military test-fires a surface-to-surface tactical guided missile from an unknown location in North Korea, Jan. 27. North Korea appears to still have a long way to go before achieving what it desires, especially the technology to miniaturize warheads. Yonhap Despite its stated push for a formidable arsenal of nuclear weapons and delivery systems, North Korea appears to still have a long way to go before achieving what it desires, especially the technology to miniaturize warheads, according to an expert here at a state-run institute, Wednesday.The assessment by Lee Sang-min, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, came a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed in public to speed up the development of the North's nuclear capabilities and even threatened to use nuclear weapons if "any forces try to violate the fundamental interests" of his country."Assuming that its ultimate goal is to load warheads on an intercontinental ballistiApr 27, 2022
US objective remains complete denuclearization of Korean Peninsula: State Dept. The launch of a weapon from an undisclosed location in North Korea is seen in this undated photo provided April 17, by the North Korean government. The North said it has successfully test-launched a newly developed tactical guided weapon. The United States' objective remains the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, a State Department spokesperson said Tuesday. AP-Yonhap The United States' objective remains the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, a State Department spokesperson said Tuesday, despite North Korea's pledge to further strengthen its nuclear capabilities.Ned Price also reiterated the U.S. holds no hostility toward the North, urging the reclusive country to return to dialogue."Our goal remains the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the department press secretary said in a briefing.The remarks come after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country will work to strengthen its nuclear capabilities at the "fasApr 27, 2022
North Korean state media airs footage of military parade Military aircraft performing a flyover during a military parade held to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, in this photo released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Tuesday. EPA-YonhapNorth Korean state television began broadcasting footage of a military parade on Tuesday, opening with shots of skydivers landing in Pyongyang's Kim Il-sung square, and army trucks lined up in the streets.The official KCTV's famous anchor Ri Chun-hi announced the start of the program, which will show edited footage of a parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army.Highly edited footage showed thousands of uniformed soldiers marching into the square, some in full battle dress and carrying their weapons as if entering combat."This is really a new presentation," Jeongmin Kim, the lead correspondent of Seoul-based specialist site NK News said in a live stream commentary on the parade broadcast on YouTube.She said the state media fooApr 27, 2022
North Korean leader vows to bolster nuclear capabilities North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gestures during a military parade held to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, Monday. EPA-YonhapPresidential transition team calls for stronger deterrence By Nam Hyun-wooNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to strengthen the regime's nuclear arms capability, threatening to use those weapons if provoked, according to the North's state media, Tuesday.In response, President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's transition committee said the incoming government will respond with a “three-axis system,” which includes air missile defense, preemptive strike system and massive retaliation plan, signaling that tensions between the two Koreas will likely escalate further under the incoming administration which is scheduled to be launched on May 10.During a military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of North Korea's army, which was held on Monday night, Kim said the regime will strengthen its nuclear forces at maximum speed, as well as expressing his intention to use nuclear weaponsApr 26, 2022By Nam Hyun-woo
Transition team vows to bolster capabilities to deter North Korea's nuclear, missile threats KN-18 missiles are seen displayed in a military parade held to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, April 25, in this photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). EPA-YonhapThe government of incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol will bolster capabilities to deter North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile threats, the transition team said Tuesday, after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to further strengthen his nuclear arsenal at a military parade.The transition team said in a statement the incoming government will strengthen the alliance with the United States and swiftly complete the homegrown "three-axis" system designed to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.The parade was held in Pyongyang, Monday, to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army. (Yonhap)Apr 26, 2022
Ri Pyong-chol reinstated as top North Korean official, report shows Soldiers are seen marching in a military parade held to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, April 25, in this photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). EPA-YonhapRi Pyong-chol, known for his leading role in North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile development under the Kim Jong-un regime, has returned to public view after a 10-month disappearance, Pyongyang's state media showed Tuesday.He was known to have been dismissed from all posts in July last year after being accused of neglecting his official duties.But he was among dignitaries participating in the nighttime military parade staged in central Pyongyang, Monday, to commemorate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).It called him a "member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau and secretary of the WPK Central Committee."Photos, released by the KCNA, showed Ri standing next to Kim during the event, together with Pak JoApr 26, 2022
US commission says religious freedom remains worst in North Korea Citizens walk past celebrative posters displayed on the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army in Pyongyang, April 25. The poster reads "Historic root of our revolution." AP-YonhapReligious freedom conditions in North Korea remain among the worst in the world, a U.S. government commission said Monday, recommending Washington designate the North as a country of particular concern.The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also called on the State Department to bring up human rights issues when negotiating security issues with North Korea."In 2021, religious freedom conditions in North Korea remained among the worst in the world," the commission said in its annual report, noting religious adherents in the country are severely persecuted."The (North Korean) government attempts to provide an illusion of religious freedom to the outside world through state-backed religious organizations and sites such as the Jangchung Cathedral. In reality, religious freedom remains nonexistent in North Korea as the authorities actively and systematically Apr 26, 2022
North Korea holds military parade to mark key anniversary: source A photo exhibition held by North Korea in Pyongyang, April 24, to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, which falls April 25, is seen in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. YonhapNorth Korea held a military parade in Pyongyang, Monday evening, to mark a key national anniversary, an informed source said, in what was seen as a highly choreographed event to cement internal unity and highlight its military heft. The North kicked off the parade at Kim Il Sung Square at 10 p.m. on the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), according to the source. It was not immediately known whether the current leader, Kim Jong-un, attended the parade. In the run-up to the event, satellite imagery had shown the North mobilizing thousands of troops and key pieces of military equipment in apparent rehearsals ― a sign the parade could be a large-scale display of its military clout. Observers said Pyongyang could bring up to 20,000 troops for the parade and flaunt its newest strategic weapons, such as the HwasApr 26, 2022
North Korea has not staged military parade yet: source A national meeting and a public procession of Pyongyang citizens marking the 110th anniversary of the birth of the country's late founder, Kim Il-sung, at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, April 15, is seen in this photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). EPA-Yonhap North Korea has not yet held a military parade that is widely expected to take place in Pyongyang to mark a key national anniversary this week, an informed source said Monday.Many had predicted the opening of the parade at midnight on the occasion of the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) that falls on the day. Satellite imagery showed the secretive North's apparent preparations, involving thousands of troops and key pieces of military equipment, to hold a street parade at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, an event used as part of efforts to cement internal unity and highlight its military presence. Some observers here said the Apr 25, 2022
