North Korea fires two projectiles, apparently from super-large multiple rocket launcher A North Korean multiple rocket launcher test-fires in this footage released by the Korea Central News Agency on Oct. 31, 2019. YonhapNorth Korea fired two projectiles from what is presumed to be a super-large multiple rocket launcher on Thursday, South Korea's military said, in the latest in a series of military moves amid stalled denuclearization talks with the United States.The projectiles were fired from Yeonpo in the country's eastern South Hamgyong Province into the waters off the east coast at around 4:59 p.m., the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a release. Both flew around 380 km, reaching a maximum altitude of around 97 km, and were fired within a 30-second interval, the JCS added."South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are analyzing additional features," the JCS said. "Our military is monitoring the situation in case of additional launches and maintaining a readiness posture."The JCS expressed "strong regret" about the launches, saying they will not help efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula."Our military expresses strong regret over the acts and urge Nov 28, 2019
South Korea complains to North over recent firing drills on border island In this undated photo provided on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center, inspects a military unit on Changrin Islet in North Korea. Korean Central News Agency-APSouth Korea lodged a strong complaint with North Korea over its recent artillery firing drills from an inter-Korean border island in the Yellow Sea, the defense ministry said Tuesday.Confirming that the communist country carried out artillery firing drills on Changrin Islet just north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) on Saturday, ministry spokesperson Choi Hyun-soo said that the South sent a protest message to the North earlier in the day via the inter-Korean military communication line.The military authorities also made a verbal protest over the case, she added. According to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gave the firing order during a visit to a military unit on the islet in the Yellow Sea. KCNA did not elaborate on the date of the inspection and other details. (Yonhap)Nov 26, 2019
NK leader inspects border military unit, orders firing drills North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a front-line military unit on the border islet of Changrin, according to the Korean Central News Agency, Monday. YonhapNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a front-line military unit on an island just north of the western sea border with South Korea and ordered firing drills, Pyongyang's official news agency said Monday.South Korea expressed regret over the artillery fire from the border islet of Changrin, saying that it represents a violation of a military agreement between the two Koreas to avoid tension-heightening activity along their border.The islet lies just north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a de facto maritime border with South Korea, which was the site of bloody naval skirmishes between the two Koreas in the past.The Korean Central News Agency said that Kim ordered soldiers "to set up a well-knit system" to ensure "full readiness for carrying out a combat mission any moment." He also "indicated the target for Gun 2 of the coastal artillery company on combat duty and gave an order to fire."KCNA did not provide further deNov 25, 2019
Kim Jong-un overestimates North Korea's tourism potential Masikryong Ski Resort, a pet project of Swiss-educated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. / YonhapBy Yi Whan-wooUnder Kim Jong-un, North Korea has been promoting the country's natural attractions and leisure activities. The campaign is seen as a bid to diversify the origin of international tourists, who are mostly Chinese, and attract more Europeans. But analysts say the North is “seriously mistaken” about its tourism competiveness and strategy.They say many Westerners would rather come to the reclusive state not to enjoy nature but to take a peek into its highly controlled society.“Kim must be overestimating the country's tourism if he thinks its mountain resorts are as tourist-friendly as the ones on the Alps,” said a North Korean defector who asked to be identified only by his surname Lee.He argued that North Korea “being exotic, bizarre and outlandish” was what fascinated European tourists.“A high risk is associated with travelling in North Korea, as seen from those who are detained ― but Kim does not seem to get it,” Lee said.The NorNov 24, 2019By Yi Whan-woo
North Korea says it's gained nothing from US but `betrayal' North Korea's U.N. Mission says the country has gained ``nothing but a sense of betrayal'' since its leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump committed to establishing a new relationship.The mission said in a summary of its assessment of North Korea-U.S. relations on Friday that ``the currently imbalanced situation can no longer be allowed.''It said that since the U.S. has failed to take reciprocal measures to its suspension of ``a number of actions,'' there is no reason for further restraint and ``it is quite natural for us to bolster our capabilities.''Kim Jong Un has demanded the U.S. come up with new, acceptable measures to salvage nuclear talks by year's end. And Pyongyang has been stepping up its pressures on Washington to make bigger concessions. (AP)Nov 23, 2019
N. Korea, Russia discuss 'strategic communications, cooperation' North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, considered a key nuclear strategist of leader Kim Jong-un, has met with a senior Russian diplomat and discussed the need for "strategic communications and cooperation" between the two countries, the North's state media said Saturday.Choe met with Russian Vice Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov in Moscow on Friday and exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, according to the Korean Central News Agency."(They) mentioned the need for the DPRK and Russia to intensify strategic communications and cooperation," the report said. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.On Thursday, Choe also met with Russian Vice Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, according to the report.Choe arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for the first round of strategic dialogue between North Korea and Russia, which was launched after the first summit between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in April.She has also met with other senior Russian officials, including Russian Foreign Minister SNov 23, 2019
Indonesia president: 'willing to host third Trump-Kim summit' Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said Friday he would be willing to host U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un if they agree to a third official summit.Widodo, who was re-elected earlier this year, told South Korean news agency Yonhap he and the people of Indonesia would welcome a third U.S.-North Korea summit, whether it is held in the capital Jakarta or Bali, a top travel destination.Last year Indonesia hosted the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games; Widodo said it was great to see the Koreas enter the stadium together during the opening ceremony.The Indonesian leader also said talks must continue for the sake of peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to the report.Indonesia is in a position to mediate between North Korea and other countries. Jakarta has maintained diplomatic ties with Seoul and Pyongyang.Indonesia may have stronger economic ties with South Korea, however.Widodo, who is expected to visit South Korea during the ASEAN-Korea Special Summit, could agree to sign a contract with South Korean company Hyundai Motors. The firm is looking to build a Nov 23, 2019
Otto Warmbier parents in South Korea: Death of son was 'intentional act' Parents of a U.S. college student who died after being released from North Korea in 2017 met with a South Korean opposition politician in Seoul on Friday.Fred and Cindy Warmbier, who have become activists targeting North Korea human rights abuses since the death of their son, Otto Warmbier, met with Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn to discuss the Kim Jong Un regime, South Korean news service News 1 reported Friday.Hwang said his party is prepared to make a "strong response" against North Korea, "so these things will not happen again."The former South Korean justice minister, who was in the middle of a hunger strike in protest of Seoul's policies, said his party will do more to hold Pyongyang accountable for its rights abuses."We think it unfortunate Otto Warmbier became a victim," Hwang told the Warmbiers. "We will continue to work hard on behalf of North Korea human rights."Hwang also thanked the Warmbiers for their activism and working with various international rights organizations, according to News 1.South Korea passed a North Korea human rights act in 2016. Hwang suggesNov 23, 2019
Reporter's Notebook Unification minister's 'lone wolf' diplomacy unwelcome in US Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chulBy Jhoo Dong-chanSouth Korean Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul has been experiencing a series of humiliations during his seven-day trip to the United States. Kim took off for Washington Nov. 17, and started suffering bitter insults on the very first day of his tour. He first met U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun at the State Department complex on Monday. Kim told reporters after his two-hour meeting with Biegun that he explained the significance of the Mount Geumgang project.He reiterated his stance during a keynote speech at the United States Institute of Peace that the South Korean government is aiming at “resuming the Mount Geumgang project as a basic framework for sustainable negotiation channels between the two Koreas.”His remark, however, faced mounting criticism here that it was irrelevant to current issues facing the two Koreas.Washington has imposed continuous pressure on Seoul to renew its General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) intel-sharing pact with Japan. It also demands a whoppNov 22, 2019By Jhoo Dong-chan
NK leader rejects Moon's invitation to ASEAN summit in South Korea In this April 26, 2019, file photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a wreath laying ceremony in Vladivostok, Russia. AP-YonhapNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un will not attend a special summit that South Korea will host for Southeast Asian leaders next week, turning down President Moon Jae-in's invitation to the event, Pyongyang's state media said Thursday.Moon sent a personal letter on Nov. 5 to invite Kim to the South Korea-ASEAN special summit slated for next Monday and Tuesday in the southeastern port city of Busan, but North Korea could not find any reason for its leader to travel for the event, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). (Yonhap)Nov 21, 2019
