US diplomacy toward North Korea 'successful': Pompeo Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference at the State Department, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, in Washington. AP-YonhapU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that his country's efforts to reduce threats from North Korea have proven successful, noting the communist state conducted "zero" missile tests over the past two years.The top U.S. diplomat insisted the U.S. would not be where it is now without its diplomatic efforts toward the communist state."Am I confident that our diplomacy has proven successful? Yes, absolutely," he told a press briefing.His remarks came days after Pyongyang showcased a massive new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a military parade over the weekend to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of its ruling People's Party.Many experts have said the new North Korean ICBM may be able to reach most of the U.S. mainland.Pompeo cast doubt over the capability of the new missile.North Korean military parade on Oct. 10 celebrating the Workers' Party's 75th foundation anniversary year unveiled the country's new intercontinenOct 15, 2020
Killed official's family upset over Moon's letter Lee Rae-jin, the older brother of a South Korean official shot to death in the North's territorial waters, discloses a letter from President Moon Jae-in during a press conference at the Korean Coast Guard's Incheon office, Wednesday. YonhapBy Do Je-hae Controversy has arisen over President Moon Jae-in's letter to the son of the South Korean official killed by North Korean military personnel last month near the maritime border between the two Koreas.The letter, which was delivered on Tuesday to the bereaved family by a presidential aide, is being criticized by the opposition and the family who claim it lacks a sincere expression of consolation. Some have also taken issue with the format of the letter, as it was not handwritten but typed, and carried an electronic signature of the President. Lee Rae-jin, the killed official's older brother who has been acting as a spokesperson for the bereaved family, disclosed the letter during a press conference at the Korean Coast Guard's Incheon office, Wednesday. “It was not very different from what the President has previously said,” Oct 14, 2020By Do Je-hae
North Korean leader visits typhoon-hit area, warns of 'defeatism' In this undated photo provided on Oct. 14, 2020, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, visits the typhoon-ravaged rural town of Komdok, North Korea, to inspect recovery works. APNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a typhoon-ravaged rural town and lambasted government agencies for ``defeatism,'' state media reported Wednesday. In his first public activity after massive weekend celebrations marking the ruling party's founding anniversary, Kim inspected recovery works at the northeastern Komdok area, continuing recent visits to regions hit by typhoons and flooding this summer. Outside observers say Kim aims to boost public support as the disasters could likely aggravate North Korea's economy under U.S.-led sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic.The Korean Central News Agency cited Kim as saying that Komdok's typhoon-related damage was ``more severe than he thought'' and praised soldiers mobilized in rehabilitation projects for their devotion.KCNA said Komdok's damage was the worst among typhoon-hit areas. It said military units ordered by Kim had completed over 60% of construction Oct 14, 2020
North Koreans rally wearing masks after military parade Thousands rally to welcome the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. APThousands of North Koreans have packed into Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung square to pledge their support for the government ― all of them wearing masks, unlike at a military parade only two days earlier.Authorities held the rally on Monday at the start of an "80-Day Campaign", a mass mobilisation drive to boost the economy ahead of a ruling party congress in January.Such efforts, often dubbed "battles", feature extra-long work hours and additional duties and are commonplace in North Korea in the lead-up to major events.Troops, workers and students, all of them wearing facemasks, packed into the square, holding slogans including "Let's keep pace with the steps of our dear leader, Comrade Kim Jong Un".It was a change from the military parade the North held at the weekend as part of the commemorations for the ruling party's 75th anniversary, when neither Kim nor any other participants had their faces covered.Pyongyang closed its borders in January to try to pOct 13, 2020
Trump says Kim one of 'sharp' leaders even after North Korea unveils massive new missile North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / YonhapU.S. President Donald Trump on Monday picked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as one of the world's "sharp" leaders, even after the North unveiled a massive new missile believed to be capable of striking any part of the United States."Look. We can't play games. The one thing I know for sure, President Xi of China ... President Putin of Russia. You look at around Kim Jong-un ... They are 100 percent sharp. We have somebody running who is not 100 percent," Trump said during a campaign rally in Florida, referring to his Democratic rival Joe Biden.Trump has often grouped the three together as the "top chess players" or those at the top of their games.Still, his latest remarks come just a few days after North Korea staged a massive military parade over the weekend and unveiled its newest intercontinental ballistic missile believed to be capable of reaching the entire U.S.A U.S. administration official earlier said it was "disappointing" to see Pyongyang continue to prioritize its weapons programs despite leader Kim's 2018 agreement with Trump to denuOct 13, 2020
UN Seoul human rights office meets brother of South Korean official killed by North Korean soldiers Lee Rae-jin, center, brother of a South Korean fisheries official killed by North Korean soldiers, speaks to reporters in front of the Seoul office of a U.N. human rights body in Seoul, Oct. 6. / YonhapThe Seoul office of a U.N. human rights body held a meeting Monday with the brother of a South Korean fisheries official killed by North Korea, after he called for a U.N. probe into the killing. During the two-hour meeting, the human rights office said it will report the case to the U.N. General Assembly as early as next week, according to Lee Rae-jin, the elder brother of the late official.Lee earlier said he received an interview request from the U.N. office, calling it the first official reaction from the international organization after he called for an investigation into the incident.The U.N. office said the purpose of the meeting was to gather information for an analysis, not for an investigation. "When the case is reported, it will serve as a pressure on South and North Korea to come up with a clear stance," Lee told Yonhap News Agency. The 47-year-old official was fatally shot Oct 12, 2020
FEBC faithfully fulfills mission to spread gospel to North Korea, other communist states Participants cut a ribbon during a dedication service for FEBC-Korea's new transmitter site on Daebu Island off Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulFEBC's radio transmitter station relocated to Daebu IslandBy Park Ji-wonFar East Broadcasting Company Korea (FEBC-Korea), a faith-based radio station initially set up by Christian missionaries from the U.S., relocated its transmitter station to Daebu Island, Gyeonggi Province, from Siheung City, Gyeonggi Province on Monday to improve the quality of its broadcasts.Since its first broadcast took place on Dec. 23, 1956, FEBC-Korea has continued its mission to spread the gospel to Asia, including North Korea, China, Russia and the Central Asian region.To celebrate the transfer, a thanksgiving service was held at the new site, where distinguished guests including U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris; Rep. Kim Jin-pyo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea; Dr. Billy Kim, chairman of FEBC-Korea; and Rev. Joseph Kim, came to give congratulatory remarks, sermons and prayers. U.S. Ambassador to South KOct 12, 2020By Park Ji-won
Does Kim's speech signal improvement in inter-Korean ties? North Korean leader Kim Jong-un embraces a child during a performance to mark the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea, Oct. 12. YonhapBy Do Je-hae North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's reference to South Korea during a commemorative speech for the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), Saturday, is raising questions about the future of inter-Korean relations. Right after offering consolation to the pandemic-hit world, he said: “I also send this warm wish of mine to our beloved countrymen in the South, and hope that this health crisis will come to an end as early as possible and the day will come when the North and South take each other's hands again.” The local media has taken note of the unusually friendly tone of the message, coming on the heels of a latest inter-Korean conflict over the North's Sept. 22 shooting death of a South Korean official who crossed into North Korea's territorial waters. Experts are divided on what Kim's remarks could lead to in terms of inter-Korean relations. Some said that they could be a sign of the regime's sOct 12, 2020By Do Je-hae
Seoul and Washington analyzing North Korea's new ICBM North Korea's latest intercontinental ballistic missile / YonhapMilitary authorities are analyzing details of North Korea's newest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) unveiled in a massive parade over the weekend, including how many warheads it can carry, officials said Monday.During the Oct. 10 parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party, the communist country showed off a new ICBM, along with a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and other modernized weapons systems.The new road-mobile ICBM was larger in size and has a longer front part, indicating that it is designed to carry multiple warheads and deliver a larger payload. The new ICBM was on a 11-axle 22-wheel transporter erector launcher (TEL), which is believed to be the world's largest."The South Korean and the U.S. intelligence authorities are closely analyzing the weapons that North Korea unveiled, including one believed to be a new long-range ballistic missile," spokesperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Col. Kim Jun-rak told a regular briefing.Asked if it is believed to be a multOct 12, 2020
Motives behind North Korean leader's contradictory messages North Koreans celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the country's ruling Workers' Party at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, Saturday. AP-YonhapBy Yi Whan-wooNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un gave what experts see as contradictory messages to the North Korean people, South Korea and the United States in a rare late-night military parade on the 75th founding anniversary of the North's ruling Workers' Party, Saturday.Cheong Wa Dae convened a National Security Council meeting, Sunday, to analyze the motives behind Kim's messages and display of its arsenal.Among them were what was possibly the North's biggest-yet intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which was mounted on an 11-axle launch vehicle that was also seen for the first time.The North also displayed a variety of solid-fuel weapons system, including what could be an advanced version of its Pukguksong family of missiles designed to be fired from submarines or land-based mobile launchers.The presidential office cited a need to observe all agreements reached by the two Koreas to avoid armed conflicts on the Korean Peninsula.IOct 11, 2020By Yi Whan-woo
