InterviewYoung people should shape future of unified Korea, says activistYoung people should play a greater role in shaping the future of the Korean Peninsula, according to Yoo Nam-sik, co-chairman at Alliance for Korea United USA. "We should never underestimate the role our generation can play. We were born into a divided Korea and inherited division as though it were simply a fact of life. But we do not have to accept that reality and pass it on unchanged to the next generation," Yoo said during a joint interview with local media, Wednesday. "Throughout history, young people and university students have often been at the forefront of major social change. If young people in Korea and around the world refuse to settle for the status quo and unite around a common vision, I believe our generation can help create a more peaceful, prosperous and unified Korea," he added. The interview was conducted on the sidelines of the One Korea Youth Forum 2026, where young people from South Korea, North Korean defectors, the Korean diaspora and overseas communities gathered to discuss peace and the future of the peninsula. Yoo, a second-generation Korean American from SeattlAug 18, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
Civic groups rally against 'two Koreas' framework, call for unificationLawmakers and civic groups gathered Tuesday to call for a unified Korea based on democracy, freedom and human rights, warning against growing discussions of a "two Koreas" approach to inter-Korean relations. The "One Korea Unification Rally" was held at the National Assembly ahead of the National Liberation Day holiday on Aug. 15. The event was organized by Citizens Solidarity for One Korea, a civic group advocating for Korean unification. The organizers said Liberation Day not only commemorates the end of Japanese colonial rule of Korea, but also serves as a reminder of the unfinished task of overcoming the country's division. Participants included lawmakers, civic activists, North Korean defectors and academics. They argued that discussions of establishing the two Koreas as separate states could lead to the permanent division of the Korean Peninsula and called for reunification based on constitutional principles. Song Seok-jun, chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and a member of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), stressed that the ConAug 18, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
'We stand for One Korea': Young people gather to envision unified KoreaYoung people from South Korea, North Korean defectors, the Korean diaspora and overseas communities gathered in Seoul on Wednesday to discuss peace and the future of the Korean Peninsula, leading up to the launch of an international youth alliance advocating for a unified Korea. The One Korea Youth Forum 2026 was held on U.N. International Youth Day, which falls on Aug. 12, under the theme "Startup for Peace: Global Youth for Building a Sustainable Korean Peninsula." The forum was hosted by the Global Peace Foundation Korea and organized with youth groups including the Korean Dream Crew, the Youth Association of the Korea CIS Diaspora Association and Muipan Sapan, a student organization for North Korean defectors. The event was sponsored by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, as part of its program supporting social integration of North Korean defectors. Participants shared their views on peace, human rights and social integration on the Korean Peninsula, while discussing how young people could contribute to building a peaceful and sustainable future. "The fact that young people from diffAug 18, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
Russian FM lauds N. Korea's troop deployment, pledges closer ties in Liberation Day letterRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has lauded North Korea's military support for Russia's war against Ukraine and vowed to further deepen bilateral ties, Pyongyang's state media said Tuesday. Lavrov made the remarks in a letter to his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son-hui, marking the 81st anniversary of Korea's Aug. 15 liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). He recalled that Russia and North Korea fought together to defeat "Japanese militarism in 1945" and helped hasten the end of World War II, it said. Lavrov then praised North Korea's support for Russia's war against Ukraine, calling the North's troop deployment to the Kursk region clear proof of the "militant friendship forged by the heroic preceding generations," the KCNA reported. The letter described Moscow and Pyongyang as "now fighting on the same front" to build a new global order based on multipolarity and national sovereignty, and expressed confidence that the two countries would continue "boosting cooperation in a multifaceted way in the future." North Korean leaAug 18, 2026By Yonhap
South Korea hopes for talks between US, NKSouth Korea on Monday expressed hopes for resumption of diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea to ease animosities on the Korean Peninsula, as U.S. President Donald Trump's order to cut military exercises with South Korea caused concerns it might hurt the allies' readiness against North Korean threats. Trump cited his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the decision, a likely bid to reengage with Kim, who views U.S.-South Korean military exercises as invasion rehearsals. But experts say the North Korean leader, now emboldened by his advancing nuclear arsenal and expanding military cooperation with Russia , won’t likely return to talks unless he is assured of serious U.S. concessions. The 11-day, summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday morning as scheduled and it wasn’t known which parts of the training were being downsized. Trump's announcement baffled many in South Korea, a key U.S. ally in Asia where national security is a top priority due to threats from nuclear-armed North Korea. Trump orders military to ‘substantially reduce’ drillsAug 18, 2026By AP
State Dept. reiterates US remains open to dialogue with N. Korea 'without preconditions'WASHINGTON — The Department of State reiterated Monday that the United States remains open to talks with North Korea "without preconditions," a day after President Donald Trump said he has ordered the Pentagon to reduce South Korea-U.S. military exercises in what appears to be a conciliatory gesture toward Pyongyang. "President Trump has made clear, the United States remains open to dialogue with North Korea without preconditions," a spokesperson at the department said. The spokesperson was responding to Yonhap News Agency's questions about whether there are any State Department-level efforts to resume diplomacy with Pyongyang, and whether the department is considering appointing a new special representative for North Korea. On the question about the special envoy post, the official said, "We have no personnel announcements to make at this time." During Trump's first term, Stephen Biegun served as special representative for North Korea from August 2018 through January 2021. Then, Sung Kim, former U.S. ambassador to South Korea, served in the post from May 2021 to November 2023 during tAug 18, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end Korean WarNorth Korea remained silent Sunday on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's proposal to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War. Lee proposed dialogue to formally end the Korean War and establish a peace regime during a Liberation Day address Saturday that marked the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. The two Koreas technically remain at war since the three-year conflict ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. North Korean state media, such as the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and the Rodong Sinmun, however, did not carry any reports on Lee's address as of Sunday morning. They instead focused reporting on commemorative events across the country on the occasion of the anniversary, such as people visiting statutes of the country's late leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il to pledge their loyalty. Lee's dialogue overture came despite the North remaining unresponsive to Seoul's repeated reconciliatory gestures since Lee took office in June last year. The Lee administration has pledged to consistently pursue dialogue with North Korea in pursuit ofAug 16, 2026By Yonhap
NK leader expects 'more excellent future' in ties with Russia in message to PutinNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he expects a "more excellent future" in his country's ties with Russia in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the North's state media reported Sunday. Kim voiced the expectations in response to Putin's congratulatory message to mark the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "I am always proud to be able to expect more excellent future of the bilateral relations by leading, together with you, the DPRK-Russia ties that has carried forward the history of common struggle for justice and precious traditions of friendship," Kim said in the message dated Saturday. DPRK stands for North Korea's official name — the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim also expressed his "firm belief" that Russia would accomplish "the sacred cause of defending the sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity of the country" in the message carried by the KCNA. The message comes as the two countries have forged closer ties since they signed a comprehensive sAug 16, 2026By Yonhap
S. Korean military fires warning shots after N. Korean troops briefly cross MDLThe South Korean military fired warning shots last week after a group of North Korean soldiers crossed the inter-Korean land boundary, prompting them to return to their side, a source said Sunday. Multiple North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the eastern front-line area sometime last week, prompting the warning shots under the military's operational procedures, according to the government source. It marked the South Korean military's first warning shots this year in response to North Korean troops crossing the boundary. No prior MDL violations by the North Korean military had been reported this year. The soldiers were said to have been likely patrolling the area when they crossed the MDL, which bisects the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas — a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War. The North Korean troops returned to their side after the warning shots, and no other unusual activity was reported. Under rules of engagement, the South Korean military airs warning broadcasts if North Korean troops approach the MDL, followed by firing warning shots if thAug 16, 2026By Yonhap
Trump posts photo with NK leader Kim, says they 'get along great'U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday posted a photo of him meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom in 2019 on social media, repeating his claim that he and Kim "get along great." The posting came as the White House has repeatedly said that Trump remains open to dialogue with Kim "without any preconditions" although it remains uncertain whether Pyongyang will come forward for talks amid deepening economic, diplomatic and military cooperation with Moscow. "Despite the unfriendly look on this particular picture, there are many where we're smiling, Kim Jong Un and I get along GREAT!" the president wrote on Truth Social. Trump had three in-person meetings with Kim during his first term: the first meeting in Singapore in June 2018, the second in Hanoi in February 2019 and then the Panmunjom meeting in June 2019. The third meeting drew international attention as Trump briefly set foot on North Korean soil after crossing the Military Demarcation Line with Kim -- the first time a sitting U.S. president had done so. In June, Trump also posted on TrAug 16, 2026By Yonhap
