North Korea views nuclear program as essential, but may give up 'some' capabilities: US intel chief nominee John Ratcliffe. UPI-YonhapNorth Korea continues to view its nuclear program as "essential" to the protection of its regime, but may be willing to give up "some" nuclear and missile capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief and other gains, the nominee to be U.S. director of national intelligence said Tuesday.John Ratcliffe's assessment suggests that North Korea is unlikely to completely dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile programs as the U.S. has insisted North Korea agreed to do during the first summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in June 2018."Based on what I have seen as a member of HPSCI and on briefings, I believe that North Korea continues to view nuclear weapons as essential to protect the regime from military action and to gain standing in the international community," Ratcliffe wrote in response to questions from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence ahead of his nomination hearing Tuesday.The nominee serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence as a Republican congressman representing a district in TeMay 6, 2020
'No breakthrough expected in NK-US dialogue after Kim Jong-un's return' In this file photo taken on June 30, 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un stand on North Korean soil while walking to South Korea in the Demilitarized Zone(DMZ), in Panmunjom, Korea. AFP-YonhapPandemic, election put talks in doubtBy Do Je-haeWill Kim Jong-un's return from his hiatus from the public life change the status quo in the stalled U.S.-North Korea denuclearizaton talks? This is the core question in the minds of many people who follow North Korea affairs. U.S. President Donald Trump seemed to welcome the North Korean leader's return. He retweeted a post about Kim's visit to a fertilizer factory in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang, Saturday, saying "I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well!" During a press conference after Kim's re-emergence, Trump said that he "may" talk to Kim this weekend, without providing any details. Following Trump's reaction, the possibility of a restart of the North Korea-U.S. talks at the highest level once again gained the spotlight. But experts who spoke to The Korea Times, Tuesday, said that two key factors ― fiMay 5, 2020By Do Je-hae
Free trade deal with North Korea? Vessels that are used for towing oil rigs in the North Sea are moored up at William Wright docks in Hull, Britain November 2, 2017. REUTERS/Russell BoyceSouth Korea should sign a free trade deal with North Korea to accelerate reform in the communist nation and to help it integrate into the international market, a state-run think tank said Monday.The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) made the suggestion in a report on inter-Korean economic cooperation, saying such an accord will create an environment for stable cross-border economic cooperation amid international sanctions on Pyongyang."The new inter-Korean economic cooperation should be aimed at supporting North Korea to normalize its foreign relations and enter the international regime," the report said. "It will be necessary to conclude an inter-Korean CEPA in order to create a stable inter-Korean economic cooperation environment."A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is equivalent to a free trade agreement.The think tank also noted that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has seen some progress iMay 4, 2020
Kim Yo-jong's presence increasing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claps during a factory completion ceremony in Sunchon, South Pyongan Province, Friday, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency, Saturday. His sister Yo-jong is sitting next to him in the seat usually taken by the country's No. 2, showing her raised political status and possible emergence as Kim's successor. YonhapBy Kim RahnNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un's public appearance Saturday after rumors of his deteriorating health also shed light on his sister, Kim Yo-jong, who accompanied her brother to a fertilizer factory completion ceremony.Yo-jong was very close to Kim at all times, showing she has become a key figure in the regime and could emerge as a successor to her brother whose children are still too young to take control.The North Korean leader participated in a fertilizer plant completion ceremony Friday, according to state media reports the following day ― 20 days after he disappeared from public view which raised speculation on his whereabouts and health.During the ceremony, Kim Jong-un sat in the center of the platform and hisMay 3, 2020By Kim Rahn
Calls growing for discreet approach to NK intelligence North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits a fertilizer factory in Sunchon, South Pyongan Province, in this Friday photo released by the Korean Central News Agency, Saturday. / Yonhap By Kang Seung-wooNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un's dramatic return to public view from a nearly-three-week hiatus, and despite a barrage of rumors surrounding his health, shows that obtaining a crumb of authentic information about the world's most secretive regime is still a tough nut to crack.In addition, given that misinformation about the country could have unexpected and wide ramifications, divulging unconfirmed rumors and reports should be kept to a minimum, according to security experts.On Saturday, the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim had participated in a fertilizer factory completion ceremony in Sunchon, South Pyongan Province, the previous day. It also showed a video clip of him cutting the tape, smoking and talking with his staff from a green electrMay 3, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Gunshots fired from North Korea hit South Korean DMZ guard post In this Aug. 28, 2019, file photo, a North Korean soldier looks toward the south as a South Korean soldier stands guard in the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, South Korea. ReutersSeveral gunshots from North Korea hit a South Korean guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Sunday, prompting the South to fire back, but the North's firings do not appear to have been intentional, an official said.South Korean soldiers on guard duty at the unit in the central border town of Cheorwon heard gunshots at around 7:41 a.m. and found four bullet marks on a wall of the guard post, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.In accordance with the response manual, the military then fired a total of 20 shots in response -- 10 rounds each time -- and issued broadcast warnings, it added. No casualties or damage to South Korean facilities were reported.It is not known if North Korea sustained any damage."We also sent a notice to the North Korean side via the inter-Korean communication line at around 9:35 a.m., and called for its explanation," a JMay 3, 2020
Trump welcomes reemergence of North Korea's Kim Jong-un In this file photo taken on June 30, 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un stand on North Korean soil while walking to South Korea in the Demilitarized Zonein Panmunjom, Korea. Trump said on Saturday that he was "glad" about the reappearance of Kim and that he is apparently healthy. AFPU.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed the reemergence of North Korea's Kim Jong Un after weeks of speculation about his health, but prospects for the U.S. efforts to persuade Pyongyang to denuclearize appear as bleak as ever.On Saturday, North Korean media said Kim cut a ribbon at a ceremony on Friday to mark the completion of a fertilizer plant.It had not reported on Kim's whereabouts since he presided over a meeting on April 11, provoking speculation that he was seriously ill and raising concerns about instability in his nuclear-armed country that could affect other North Asian countries and the United States.Kim was seen in photographs smiling and talking to aides at the ceremony and also touring the plant. The authenticity of the photos could not be verifMay 3, 2020
Can COVID-19 crisis bring Moon breakthrough on relations with Pyongyang? President Moon Jae-in presides over a meeting with his senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae, April 27, the second anniversary of the Panmunjeom Declaration. He said the COVID-19 crisis could present a new opportunity for the suspended inter-Korean relations. / YonhapBy Yi Whan-wooWith North Korea officially claiming to have no COVID-19 cases, speculation is growing as to whether President Moon Jae-in will be able to make his desired breakthrough in cross-border relations through cooperation on the pandemic. The President has repeatedly expressed hope that inter-Korean cooperation could be revived by the pandemic since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, in January, with his latest related remark being made on April 27.Participants wave unification flags during a ceremony in Seoul, April 27, to mark the second anniversary of a summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. / AP-YonhapMarking the second anniversary of the Panmunjeom Declaration on April 27, he again cited possible cooperation on COVID-19 as an opportunity to resume stalled talks wMay 3, 2020By Yi Whan-woo
VIDEO NK leader Kim Jong-un looks well By Park Si-sooA broadly-smiling Kim Jong-un appeared in public for the first time in 20 days, waving hands to a cheering crowd, talking to his aides and cutting a red ribbon to celebrate the opening of a fertilizer factory in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang.He was also seen walking normally around the factory.North Korea's state TV released video footage of the opening ceremony Saturday, saying the event took place the previous day.The video put to rest a wave of rumors and speculation that he might be gravely sick or even dead.Hours earlier, the North's state news agency, the KCNA, released several photos of Kim at the factory, dressed in a dark Mao suit and his signature sweptback hairstyle."All the participants broke into thunderous cheers of 'hurrah!' extending the greatest glory to the Supreme Leader who has brought about a new change in the development of Juche-based fertilizer industry and has led the grand revolutionary advance for strengthening self-supporting economy to a victory with his outstanding leadership," the KCNA said.His sister, Kim Yo-jong, who was considered among tMay 2, 2020
Trump declines to comment on N.K. leader's reported appearance U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday declined to comment on the reported public appearance of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after a 20-day absence."I'd rather not comment on it yet -- Kim Jong-un," Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for Camp David. "We'll have something to say about it at the appropriate time."On whether Kim is still alive, he said, "I don't want to talk about it."But asked if he will be talking to Kim this weekend, he said, "l may."Moments earlier, North Korea's state media announced the first public appearance of Kim since April 11 at a ceremony marking the completion of a fertilizer plant in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang.During his absence from public view, news reports described Kim as being in "grave danger" after surgery or hiding out at a coastal resort to escape the coronavirus pandemic.Trump said initially that he didn't know if the reports were true then later said he had a "very good idea" about Kim's status but couldn't talk about it.Speculation about Kim's whereabouts and health began after he apparently skipped the April 15 commemMay 2, 2020
