North Korea may be considering resumption of nuclear testing this year: report In a mass rally, people celebrate the election of Kim Jong-un as general secretary of the Workers Party of Korea at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Jan. 15. APNorth Korea may be considering whether it should resume its nuclear and long-range missile testing this year as it seeks to deal with the new U.S. administration on its own terms, a U.S. intelligence report said Tuesday.The report from the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) also noted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may take a "number of aggressive" actions."Kim may be considering whether to resume long-range missile or nuclear testing this year to try to force the United States to deal with him on Pyongyang's terms," said the 2021 report on annual threat assessment."North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may take a number of aggressive and potentially destabilizing actions to reshape the regional security environment and drive wedges between the United States and its allies ― up to and including the resumption of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) testing," it added.Still, the Apr 14, 2021
North Korea could have up to 242 nuclear weapons by 2027: report This March 25 file photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says a test fire of newly developed new-type tactical guided projectile by the Academy of Defense Science, at an undisclosed place in North Korea. North Korea could have up to 242 nuclear weapons and dozens of intercontinental ballistic missiles by 2027, a research report said Tuesday. APNorth Korea could have up to 242 nuclear weapons and dozens of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) by 2027, a research report said Tuesday, calling for South Korea and the United States to weigh "all options" to counter the evolving threats.The Asan Institute for Policy Studies and the Rand Corp. made the estimate in a joint report, stressing "serious" considerations should be given to deploying tactical nuclear arms in the South and other measures to deter the North's possible attempt at nuclear warfare.The report came amid signs of worrisome activity at the North's east coast shipyard seen as a site for submarine launched ballistic missile tests and after a U.N. panel report that Pyongyang continues to develop itApr 13, 2021
US hearing on North Korea's human rights expected to anger Pyongyang By Nam Hyun-wooThe Tom Lantos Congressional Human Rights Commission that advocates for freedom of expression will hold a hearing Thursday (U.S. time) on Seoul's ban on sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border via balloons into North Korea. The hearing is anticipated to receive an angry response from the Kim Jong-un regime, especially as it will fall on the anniversary of North Korea founder Kim Il-sung's birth, a major holiday in the North. According to the commission, it will hold a virtual hearing to discuss the role of South Korea's anti-leaflet law, which took effect March 30. Participants will include Gordon G. Chang, a lawyer and columnist, Lee In-ho, a former South Korean ambassador to Russia, and Suzanne Scholte, chair of the North Korea Freedom Coalition.The commission has been at odds with South Korea's Moon Jae-in administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) over the anti-leaflet law. The liberal ruling bloc continues to advocate for the law, claiming that the campaign may unnecessarily provoke Pyongyang, and that freedom of speech does not come bApr 13, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo
Seoul, Washington closely watching North Korea's moves on SLBMs, new submarine North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / YonhapSouth Korea is closely monitoring North Korea's military moves in coordination with the United States, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Monday, amid signs of activity at the North's main shipyard used to develop submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).According to 38 North, commercial satellite imagery of the North's Sinpo Shipyard indicates that a missile canister for the submarine missile test barge has likely been removed, possibly for maintenance or for the replacement of a new canister or launch frame to accommodate larger SLBMs."Our military has been closely tracking and monitoring North Korea's military moves, while the South Korean and the U.S. intelligence authorities have been maintaining close cooperation," JCS spokesperson Col. Kim Jun-rak told a regular briefing. "Keeping various possibilities in mind, we maintain a readiness posture," he added.Asked about any signs that North Korea is ready to launch a new 3,000-ton submarine, the spokesperson said the authorities are watching related moves closely, leaving every possibiApr 12, 2021
North Korea's SLBM threat looms large North Korea's newly developed submarine launched ballistic missile Pukguksong-5 is being introduced at a military parade held Jan. 14, 2021, to mark the country's ruling Workers' Party of Korea's eighth congress, in this photo released by the country's state-run Korean Central News Agency the following day. YonhapBy Jung Da-minSpeculation is mounting over North Korea's possible test launch of a ballistic missile from a newly manufactured submarine, according to local defense experts, Sunday, as suspicious activity has been detected at a shipyard that has facilities for testing submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). The conjecture is further fueled by Pyongyang's preparations to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of its founder Kim Il-sung ― the current leader's grandfather ― Thursday as the country has often showcased its newly developed weapons around a public holiday in the past.The speculation comes after satellite images from Washington-based think tanks Stimson Center's 38 North and the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Beyond Parallel showed North KoreApr 11, 2021
North Korea completed new 3,000-ton submarine: South Korea, US authorities Korea Central News Agency reported in July 2019 that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, second from right, checked the country's newly built submarine. YonhapSouth Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities believe North Korea is ready to roll out a new 3,000-ton submarine, only waiting for the right timing, sources said Sunday.The assessment comes after a U.S. think tank said the North has moved a submersible missile test barge at its missile test site to a different position, possibly indicating an upcoming test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)."Both South Korea and U.S. intelligence authorities made the assessment that North Korea has already finished building the 3,000-ton submarine unveiled in July 2019," according to sources."The authorities assess that North Korea is reviewing the right timing to roll out the submarine for a strategic effect, including maximizing pressure against the United States," a source said.The source added that the North could reveal the submarine at a launching ceremony and actually roll out an SLBM, such as the Pukguksong-3.Last month, 38 Apr 11, 2021
North Korea likely to stay more reclusive in face of UN sanctions North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a closing address at a three-day conference of cell secretaries of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang, Thursday, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency, Friday. YonhapBy Kwon Mee-yooNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has announced his impoverished state will embark on an “Arduous March” as he strives to navigate prolonged economic difficulties amid global sanctions. This was the first time for Kim to use the term, “Arduous March,” which his father and former leader Kim Jong-un referred to during periods of hardship from 1994 to 1998 to overcome economic crises and serious famines. As a result, Pyongyang watchers predict the North will resort to further belt-tightening rather than seeking negotiations with the U.S. or the international community for sanctions relief.According to the North's Korean Central News Agency, Friday, Kim announced the decision at the closing of the cell secretaries' conference of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) the previous day.“I made up my minApr 9, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
US House caucus to hold hearing on South Korean ban on anti-Pyongyang leafleting In this April 2016 file photo, a group of defectors fly balloons containing anti-North Korea leaflets at a border village of Paju, Gyeonggi Province. A bipartisan caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives said Thursday it will hold a public hearing next week on South Korea's recently legislated ban on the sending of anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea. YonhapA bipartisan caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives said Thursday it will hold a public hearing next week on South Korea's recently legislated ban on the sending of anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea.The caucus, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, said it will hold "a hearing on freedom of expression on the Korean peninsula" on Thursday next week. Five witnesses have been called in to testify, including Suzanne Scholte, a human rights activist."Recently, international attention has focused on a controversial 'anti-leaflet law' passed by the National Assembly last December," the commission said. "Some observers have expressed concerns that the law could interfere with efforts to promote human rights in North Apr 9, 2021
US prepared for diplomacy for denuclearization of North Korea: White House spokeswoman U.S. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki holds a briefing at the White House in Washington, April 7. ReutersThe United States is prepared to engage in some form of diplomacy with North Korea if it will lead to denuclearization on the peninsula, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Wednesday.She said the U.S. remains committed to denuclearization of North Korea."We have a clear objective as it relates to North Korea, which is denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula," the spokeswoman said at a daily press briefing. "We are, of course, continuing to enforce sanctions. We are consulting with allies and partners. We are prepared to consider some form of diplomacy if it's going to lead us down the path toward denuclearization."The remarks came a day after a U.S. think tank said the North has moved a submersible missile test barge at its missile test site to a different position, possibly indicating an upcoming test of a submarine launched ballistic missile.North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles last month, resuming its testing after a year-long hiatus. The country continues tApr 8, 2021
Kim Jong-un says North Korea facing its 'worst-ever situation' In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during a ceremony to break ground for building 10,000 homes, in Pyongyang, North Korea, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. APNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has acknowledged his country was facing the ``worst-ever situation'' as he addressed thousands of grassroots members of his ruling party during a major political conference in Pyongyang. Experts say Kim is facing perhaps his toughest moment as he approaches a decade in rule, with North Korea's coronavirus lockdown unleashing further shock on an economy devastated by decades of mismanagement and crippling U.S.-led sanctions over his nuclear weapons program. The North's official Korean Central News Agency said Kim made the comments during an opening speech at a meeting of the Workers' Party's cell secretaries on Tuesday. ``Improving the people's living standards ... even in the worst-ever situation in which we have to overcome unprecedentedly numerous challenges depends on the role played by the cells, the grassroots organizations of the party,'' KiApr 7, 2021
