North Korea says its recent SLBM test-launch not targeting US A man watches a TV screen showing an image of North Korea's ballistic missile launched from a submarine during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Oct. 20. North Korea said Thursday its recent test-firing of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile was not targeted toward the United States. AP-YonhapNorth Korea said Thursday its recent test-firing of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was not targeted toward the United States, adding there is no need for Washington to "worry or agonize" over it.A spokesperson for the North's foreign ministry expressed concerns over "nonsensical" reactions from the U.S. and the U.N. Security Council over its "rightful exercise of right to defense" in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).Two days earlier, North Korea fired an SLBM from the vicinity of Sinpo, where its main submarine shipyard is located. It marked the North's eighth known major missile test this year."If they don't take issues with our rightful exercise of sovereignty, there will never be an incident raising tensions on theOct 21, 2021
North Korea sanctions relief can be option if it accepts dialogue offer: FM Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong speaks during a parliamentary audit into the ministry at the National Assembly, Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press CorpsNorth Korea's recent missile test underscores the need for engaging the reclusive state and sanctions relief can be considered as part of incentives to bring it back to the negotiating table, Seoul's top diplomat said Wednesday. Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong was speaking at a parliamentary audit session, hours after the North said it has successfully test-fired a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on Tuesday."We should take some actions to prevent North Korea from further developing its nuclear and missile capabilities," Chung said. "Sanctions relief can be considered as part of efforts, on condition that the North accepts the dialogue proposal." North Korea has faced worsening economic woes due to continued U.N. sanctions implemented in response to its nuclear and missile tests, as well as COVID-19 lockdowns and bad weather. When asked whether Washington is on the same page with Seoul for the conditions-based easingOct 20, 2021
Two Koreas showcase weapons tech despite attempts for talks President Moon Jae-in takes off a flight helmet as he sits in an FA-50 light combat aircraft at Seoul Airbase in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, during an event at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2021. YonhapBy Nam Hyun-wooThe two Koreas are flexing their respective military muscles by each showcasing their latest developments in weapons technology, despite growing efforts to induce North Korea to return to denuclearization talks. President Moon Jae-in paid a visit to the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2021, Wednesday, which kicked off a day earlier at Seoul Airbase in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and stressed the importance of defense technologies for national security.“A strong defense capability always has its goal in keeping peace,” Moon said during an event at the exhibition. “South Korea will pursue a smart military, based on cutting-edge technologies, and join global efforts to maintain peace.”During his speech, Moon stressed the importance of South Korea's recent development of the KF-21 BoramaOct 20, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo
North Korea confirms test-launch of new SLBM North Korea's military conducts a test-firing of a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile in waters off its east coast near Sinpo, North Korea, Oct. 19, according to its Korean Central News Agency's report on Oct. 20. YonhapNorth Korea announced Wednesday that it has successfully conducted a test-firing of a new-type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) a day earlier. On Tuesday, South Korea's military said the North fired a short-range missile believed to be an SLBM from the vicinity of Sinpo, where its main submarine shipyard is located. It marked the North's eighth known major missile test this year. The Academy of National Defense Science conducted the test-launch from "8.24 Yongung" where its first SLBM was "successfully launched five years ago to demonstrate the military muscle of the DPRK, " according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.In August 2016, North Korea claimed it had successfully launched an SLBM in waters off its east coast near Sinpo, thOct 20, 2021
US condemns North Korean missile launch as threat to region: State Dept. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken / REUTERS-YonhapThe U.S. State Department on Tuesday condemned North Korea's latest missile launch as a threat to the region while urging the reclusive state to engage in dialogue."The United States condemns the DPRK's ballistic missile launch. These launches are a violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions and are a threat to the region," a State Department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency in an email."We call on the DPRK to refrain from further provocations and engage in sustained and substantive dialogue. Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad," the spokesperson added.North Korea fired what Seoul officials believed to be a submarine launched ballistic missile into the East Sea on Tuesday (Seoul time).The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) in Hawaii earlier said it was aware of the North Korean ballistic missile launch, without elaborating on the type of missile launched.The INDOPACOM said the missile launch did not pose an "immediate threat" to the U.S. or its allies.TheOct 19, 2021
North Korea fires another missile despite US attempts for dialogue In this Oct. 3, 2019 photo carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, Pukguksong-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile is launched from a submersible barge. YonhapUS envoy for North Korea to visit Seoul this weekBy Nam Hyun-wooNorth Korea launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea, Tuesday, despite the U.S.'s apparent efforts to entice Pyongyang to return to denuclearization talks by opening up the possibility of discussions to formally end the Korean War. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province, at 10:17 a.m. However, Japan's military authorities announced the North launched two missiles. The National Security Council held an emergency meeting shortly after the JCS announcement and expressed “serious regrets” over the incident, noting that North Korea had launched a missile again “despite the ongoing discussions between South Korea, the U.S., China, Japan, Russia and other neighboring countries on a peace process on the Korean Peninsula.&rdqOct 19, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo
Kim Jong-un's half-brother was linked with South Korea's spy agency: report Kim Jong-nam / YonhapBy Yoon Ja-youngKim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who was murdered in Malaysia in 2017, was linked to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), according to a report by South Korean broadcaster SBS, Tuesday.SBS reported that it had confirmed from a number of former and current NIS officers that Kim Jong-nam had been providing information on top North Korean officials including Kim Jong-un for at least five to six years before he was killed.The estranged half-brother was the eldest son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and was once regarded as the heir apparent to the regime. However, he lost his father's trust after he was involved in a series of problematic incidents, including trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001. At that time, he said he was attempting to visit the Tokyo Disneyland; and since then, he had been living in Macau, and traveling to other countries.In February 2017, Kim was in Kuala Lumpur International Airport when two young women ― one from Indonesia and the other from Vietnam ― suddeOct 19, 2021By Yoon Ja-young
North Korea continues slamming 'Squid Game' A scene of South Korea's Netflix megahit “Squid Game” / AFP-Yonhap By Kang Seung-wooNorth Korea has been taking jabs at South Korean Netflix megahit “Squid Game” by airing criticisms of the dystopian-thriller coming from many countries around the world. The nine-episode show, the U.S. streaming company's all-time biggest hit estimated to generate $900 million (1.06 billion won) in value, features hundreds of debt-ridden adults participating in a series of deadly Korean children's playground games to win 45.6 billion won in prize money. The drama is Netflix's most-viewed drama in 90 countries.“Squid Game is about survival in a capitalist society where you can earn money if you win by any means and you die otherwise. As children have started acting out games from the violent drama, schools around the world have been advising children not to watch it and urging parents to take extra precautions, but they are helpless,” North Korean state-run website Arirang Meari said, Tuesday.The propaganda site picked a few examples of opposition to the thriller's cOct 19, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
North Korea fires what seems to be SLBM toward East Sea: Joint Chiefs of Staff In this Oct. 11 photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during an exhibition of weapons systems in Pyongyang. South Korea's military said Oct. 19 that North Korea fired an unidentified projectile to its eastern waters. AP-YonhapNorth Korea fired what appears to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) toward the East Sea on Tuesday, South Korea's military said.The missile was launched eastward from a site in the vicinity of Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). It said the launch was detected at 10:17 a.m. but gave no other details. "The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States are currently conducting a thorough analysis regarding additional details on the missile," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.The North's latest missile test marks its eighth known projectile launch this year. It previously fired a new hypersonic missile, called the Hwasong-8, on Sept. 28.Sinpo is where North Korea has been pushing to build a 3,000-ton submarine capable of carrying aOct 19, 2021
US envoy for North Korea to visit Seoul for talks on end-of-war declaration U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim speaks after a meeting with South Korea's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Noh Kyu-duk, back right, Oct. 18, at the U.S. State Department in Washington. AP-YonhapU.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Sung Kim will visit Seoul this week for talks on ways to restart dialogue with the reclusive North, including an end-of-war declaration, the U.S. diplomat said Monday.Kim's trip to Seoul will follow his meeting with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, Noh Kyu-duk and Takehiro Funakoshi, respectively, here in Washington this week."Special Representative Noh and I also discussed the end of war proposal, and I look forward to continuing those discussions and other issues of mutual concern when I'm in Seoul later this week," the U.S. diplomat said of his meeting with Noh at the State Department."Special Representative Noh and I had an excellent meeting this afternoon in advance of tomorrow's trilateral meeting with Japanese Director-General Funakoshi," he added.South Korean PresideOct 19, 2021
