N. Korea completes building 2nd modern regional hospitalNorth Korea has built its second modern regional hospital as part of leader Kim Jong-un's push to expand medical facilities nationwide to improve public health services, state media reported Sunday. Kim attended the inaugural ceremony of the Kusong City Hospital in North Phyongan Province to tour the facility, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The hospital follows the opening of the Kangdong County Hospital on the outskirts of Pyongyang last month. Calling the Kusong facility "another precious creation," Kim said it reflects the ruling party's determination to strengthen regional areas and advance public health across the country. He also described 2025 as "the first year of the public health revolution," the KCNA reported. At a plenary meeting last week, the Workers' Party of Korea announced plans to build modern hospitals simultaneously in 20 cities and counties starting next year, based on experience gained from this year's pilot projects. During the ceremony, Kim reaffirmed his commitment to building modern hospitals across the country to lay a solid foundDec 14, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea welcomes engineer troops' return from Russia's Kursk regionNorth Korea has held a welcoming ceremony for military engineers who returned home from Russia's western Kursk region after conducting a mine clearance mission, with its leader Kim Jong-un recognizing the sacrifices of nine personnel who were killed there. The ceremony took place in Pyongyang, Friday, welcoming the return of the troops from the 528th Regiment of Engineers, who left for Kursk in early August, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday. Pyongyang sent around 1,000 military engineers to Kursk to join Russian forces working to remove mines that were planted by Ukraine soldiers. Earlier, the North deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. During the ceremony, Kim expressed his appreciation to the troops for their safe return while noting that there was the "heartrending loss of nine lives." "You could work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months, the task which was believed to be impossible to be carried out even in several years," Kim said. He stresseDec 13, 2025By Yonhap
Unification minister hopes Trump’s China visit will help break inter-Korean deadlockU.S. President Donald Trump’s anticipated visit to China in April could help thaw a prolonged stalemate in inter-Korean relations and inject new momentum into cross-border engagement, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Wednesday. His remarks come as the Lee Jae Myung government's outreach to Pyongyang over the past six months has drawn no response from North Korea. Officials in Seoul are hoping that Trump's willingness to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could provide new momentum. "With President Trump's visit to China expected in April, the next four months will be a critical turning point in determining whether the situation moves toward peace or remains in the current stalemate," Chung said during a press conference in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. "I see this as a pivotal period. Active steps are needed to help create the right conditions and shift the Korean Peninsula toward peace." Chung added that he plans to communicate closely with neighboring countries to help create a favorable environment for talks before the U.S. leader's visit to Beijing, noting that heDec 11, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
N. Korea's Kim delivers 'important conclusion' at party plenary meeting: KCNANorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reached an "important conclusion" at the ongoing plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on its second day of the gathering, state media said Thursday. The ruling party launched the 13th plenary meeting of its Eighth Central Committee on Tuesday, presided over by Kim, to review this year's policy implementation results and prepare for a key party congress next year. On the second day of the meeting Wednesday, Kim "made an important conclusion on the agenda items on the review of the (policy) implementation ... this year and the preparations for the ninth congress," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The KCNA did not specify what important conclusion Kim has reached. During the meeting, the leader also assessed the implementation of this year's party and state policies and reviewed "major successes" achieved this year, it noted. Also discussed were a series of "problems" to be immediately solved before the ninth congress and the assignment of "important tasks" related to its preparations, as well as organizational matters, the implDec 11, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea's Kim pays condolatory visit to Russian embassy to mourn envoy's deathNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has paid a condolatory visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang to mourn the death of Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Matsegora, the North's state media reported Thursday. Kim's condolatory visit to the embassy the previous day came a day after the North confirmed the sudden death last Saturday of the Russian ambassador, who had served in the country for more than 10 years. Kim "laid a bunch of flowers and observed a moment's silence in memory of Aleksandr Ivanovich Matsegora, who devoted his noble life to boosting and developing the DPRK-Russia friendship," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, referring to North Korea by the acronym of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim also met with members of the bereaved family and members of the embassy, expressing deep condolences to them. Kim eulogized Matsegora as "an able diplomat" who contributed to the history of the North Korea-Russia friendly relations. His death is "a deep sorrow and great loss" to Russian as well as North Korea, especially at a time when the two countries hDec 11, 2025By Yonhap
S. Korea, US maintaining 'very close' cooperation on all N. Korea-related issues: US envoySouth Korea and the United States are maintaining a "very close" partnership on all North Korea-related issues, acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim said Wednesday, as the allies are seeking a regular meeting on coordinating their policy on the North. Kim made the remark after he met Jeong Yeon-doo, head of the office of strategy and intelligence at the foreign ministry, to discuss Seoul and Washington's policy on North Korea. "The United States and Korea are closely coordinating on all issues, but it's very productive as always, and we have a very close partnership on all North Korea-related issues," Kim told reporters, when asked if the two diplomats discussed launching a task force on North Korea policy. But Kim declined to comment when asked whether the U.S. is concerned about Lee's proposed policy goal to seek a "nuclear-free Korean Peninsula." The allies are in talks to hold a regular meeting on coordinating their policy on North Korea as the Lee Jae Myung administration seeks to mend frayed ties with the North and resume inter-Korean talks. Last month, Jeong was appointed to tDec 10, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea fires artillery rockets in presumed military training Tuesday: JCSNorth Korea fired around 10 artillery shells from its multiple rocket launcher system earlier this week, in what appeared to be part of its regular wintertime drills, military officials said Wednesday. "The military detected around 10 artillery rockets launched toward the northern waters of the Yellow Sea at around 3 p.m. Tuesday," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, adding a detailed analysis of the launch is under way. The rockets were presumed to be launched from the 240mm multiple rocket launcher that puts Seoul and its adjacent areas in target range. A military official said the artillery launch appeared to be part of North Korea's regular wintertime exercises that usually start in December. "Our military is closely monitoring North Korea's various movements under a firm South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture and maintains capabilities and posture that can overwhelmingly respond to any provocation," the JCS said. Last month, Pyongyang fired the artillery rockets, shortly before a joint visit by the defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States to the Demilitarized Zone sepDec 10, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea begins ruling party meeting to prepare for key party congressNorth Korea has launched a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, state media reported Wednesday, as Pyongyang prepares for a key party congress that could offer glimpses into North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's plans for military and economy. The enlarged 13th plenary meeting of the party's Eighth Central Committee was convened the previous day, presided over by Kim and attended by key central committee members, government ministry officials and observers, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The meeting approved five agenda items for discussion, including the review of the implementation of this year's party and state policies and other major issues related to the preparations for the party's ninth congress, according to the KCNA. The year-end plenary party meeting usually runs for several days to review the year's policy implementation and set the direction for future policies. This year's meeting carries added significance as it was held in the run-up to the party's ninth congress, which South Korean intelligence authorities expect to take place in February, wherDec 10, 2025By Yonhap
S. Korea, US in talks for regular meeting on coordinating N. Korea policySouth Korea and the United States are in discussions to hold a regular meeting on coordinating the allies' policy on North Korea, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday. Park Il, the foreign ministry spokesperson, made the remarks in a regular press briefing, saying working-level talks have been under way for months to hash out the details of the proposed meeting. "Through the meeting, we plan to discuss overall policy toward North Korea, including ways to bring the North back to the dialogue table," Park said. Seoul and Washington have reportedly reached a consensus on the need to have such a regular channel to enable timely consultations on North Korea-related issues. However, the two sides are not considering setting up a permanent consultative body, according to officials. The move comes as the Lee Jae Myung administration seeks to mend frayed ties with North Korean and resume dialogue despite Pyongyang's silence toward Seoul's peace overtures. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his intent to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to resume stalled diplomacy. Acting U.S. AmbasDec 9, 2025By Yonhap
Tickets for 2026 int'l marathon in N. Korea sold out: tour agencyTickets for North Korea's 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon, set for April 5 in the country's capital, have sold out just a few hours after sales opened, a Beijing-based tour agency said Tuesday. Koryo Tours, which specializes in travel to North Korea, broke the news on its social media account, saying, "After less than 5 hours the Pyongyang Marathon trips sold out completely, 500 spots on the trips are now all taken." The agency said it is working to open additional spots for the trip and urged readers to join a waiting list. The tour agency's website earlier announced that next year's Pyongyang International Marathon will be held on April 5, with departures for the trip available from Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang. The event offers four courses, from the full 42-kilometer run to the half marathon, 10 km and 5 km races, and is also open to runners with disabilities, including wheelchair users and those with visual impairments. Holders of South Korean, U.S., Malaysian or Japanese passports, as well as members of the press, are prohibited, it said. The international event, previously nDec 9, 2025By Yonhap
