North Korean restaurants back in business in China A large North Korean restaurant in the Chinese city of Shenyang, Liaoning Province, which borders the North, reopened over the weekend after being closed on the order of the Chinese authorities eight months ago.Beijing's closure order was issued for all North Korean business entities in January in accordance with United Nations sanctions on Pyongyang. Following three summit meetings between North Korea and China this year and a recent relationship improvement, however, a number of the North's restaurants in China are moving to resume business.The Morangwan Restaurant, a North Korean establishment on Shenyang's Xita Street, which was closed on Jan. 8 this year, resumed its business over the weekend.With the reopening, the restaurant's first-floor lobby was brightly lit, and employees were seen moving up and down the stairs leading from the lobby to the second floor.The restaurant was previously renowned for its showy music and dance performances by students of Pyongyang's art college, who were also serving as its employees.According to sources, Morangwan had prepared to reopen after cSep 10, 2018
Kim Jong-un hopes to consolidate ties with China North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed hope to consolidate the country's "special" relations with China in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, the North's state media said Monday.On Sunday, Kim met with Li Zhanshu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, who was in Pyongyang to attend the North's military parade to celebrate its 70th founding anniversary. Kim expressed hope to "further solidify and deepen the special and firm relations between North Korea and China" through stepped-up high-level exchanges and close communications, according to the Korean Central News Agency.Li was quoted as saying that his country's relations with the North are getting stronger based on a "special relationship" between the leaders of the two countries. He added that China remains firm in its efforts to move the ties forward "in a sustainable and stable matter regardless of international situations."During the meeting, Li delivered Xi's personal letter to Kim, the KCNA said, without providing details on the content.ChiSep 10, 2018
'North Korea takes strong turn for market economy under Kim' The Korea Institute for National Unification hosted a press conference titled “Eight major changes in North Korea's economic society in the days of Kim Jong-un” at the Press Center in Seoul on Thursday Korea Times photo by Jung Da-minBy Jung Da-minDespite North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's much-publicized on-site inspections of a Pyongyang bag factory or a Sinuiju cosmetics factory and other manufacturing facilities, service industries such as trade, retail and lodging are the main forces behind its economy, experts say.“The economic development of North Korea has been faster than before with an accelerated market economy since Kim Jong-un took power, at least before the onslaught of international sanctions,” Lee Seog-ki, senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET)’s Center for Global Industry and Trade told a Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) forum in Seoul on Thursday.“It is the commercial, distribution, tourism and other service industries that are leading economic growth in NortSep 10, 2018
Third summit to test Moon again as negotiator North Korean leader Kim Jong-un receives a letter written by President Moon Jae-in from National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong during the Chung-led South Korean delegation's visit to Pyongyang, Sept. 5 to discuss the third Moon-Kim summit, slated for Sept. 18 to 20. / YonhapPresident asked to achieve breakthrough on N. Korea denuclearization progressBy Yi Whan-wooThe third summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, slated for Sept. 18 to 20 in Pyongyang, is posing a challenge for Moon in finding a breakthrough and speeding up the North’s denuclearization progress.The United States and North Korea are in a deadlock over their nuclear talks, with each side accusing the other over slow progress following the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim in Singapore, June 12.This could put Moon in a precarious situation and tarnish his achievements as a key negotiator for the Singapore summit, if he fails to draw out more concrete measures toward nuclear disarmament, according to analysts.Moon, through his two previous summits with Kim beSep 9, 2018By Yi Whan-woo
From New Rich to dating culture, seismic social changes underway in North Korea A North Korean traffic lady, who marshals vehicles at the intersections of North Korea's capital city, smiles in this photo taken by Japanese photographer Hatsuzawa Ari in 2016.By Kang Hyun-kyungJapanese photographer Hatsuzawa Ari, who has been photographing North Korean citizens since 2011, realized rapid social change has been underway since Kim Jong-un ascended to power following his father Kim Jong-il's death in December 2011. Hatsuzawa, 45, said he was overwhelmed by the pace of social change in the “Hermit Kingdom,” which he said was so drastic he almost felt “dizzy.”According to him, the breeze of change was first felt at the airport in Beijing in December 2016 when he transferred to the Air Koryo flight heading to Pyongyang. There, he was struck by the looks of the North Korean passengers.Back in 2012, the Japanese photographer said passengers aboard the North Korean airplane were predominantly men wearing shabby military uniforms and the in-flight atmosphere was tense. In December 2016, however, a pair of wealthy women, who he figured were mother and Sep 9, 2018By Kang Hyun-kyung
NK resumes talks with US on war remains By Kim Yoo-chulTalks between the United States and North Korea over a possible joint effort for the recovery of more remains of U.S. soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War have resumed last week, a government official said, Sunday. “A general-level meeting was held at the truce village of Panmunjeon late Sept. 7 between representatives from each side in which they discussed ways to initiate moves for joint excavations of more remains of U.S. soldiers killed during the inter-Korean War within North Korean territory,” the official said.“The potential for future remains being repatriated was also a key part of the agenda at the talks. The U.S. was hoping to receive more remains of its soldiers killed during the Korean War.”Details on the specific timeline of the joint excavation project and how many U.S. military investigators will be allowed access to the battle sites remain unknown as the North was still reluctant to allow U.S. inspectors into its territory.The U.S. delegation was led by Major General Michael Minihan, chief of staff for the United NationSep 9, 2018By Kim Yoo-chul
Spy chief visits Tokyo to report on NK visit South Korea's spy chief Suh hoon, left, talks with National Security Council head Chung Eui-yong before a meeting with ministers of foreign and defense affairs at Cheong Wa Dae last week. YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulSouth Korea's spy chief Suh Hoon has arrived in Tokyo to brief Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on key updates of last week's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday.“National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Suh Hoon will meet Abe on Sept. 10 in Tokyo. Suh will brief Abe about the latest findings of last week's meeting with Kim by South Korea's special delegation,” the presidential office said.“Sending NIS Director Suh is part of President Moon Jae-in's envoy diplomacy to win backing for his engagement policy toward North Korea from major stakeholders in North Korean issues.”It is unknown whether Suh will deliver any messages from Kim to Abe. More details about the Suh-Abe meeting will be released afterward.The trip to Tokyo came after President Moon's chief security adviser Chung Eui-yong went to China last Saturday Sep 9, 2018By Kim Yoo-chul
Floods leave 76 dead, 75 missing in North Korea North Koreans work in a field damaged by Typhoon Kompasu, in this 2010 file photo from Korea Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA-APBy Jung Da-minAt least 76 people were killed and 75 missing in floods that struck North Korea in late August, according to international aid agencies.“Heavy rains in recent days triggered large-scale flooding and landslides in low-lying areas, destroying more than 800 buildings including homes, clinics and schools,” International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) DPRK Country Office said in a statement.Flood victims were in urgent need of health services, shelters and food, said John Fleming from the DPRK Country Office."With the cold season around the corner, we are also concerned this disaster will increase the risk of health problems and food insecurity for some communities,” he noted.According to the report of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the natural disaster has worsened North Korea's food insecurity.“In North and South Hwanghae, 17,000 hSep 9, 2018
PHOTOS North Korea reveals rehearsal scenes of mass gymnastics event The image of North Korea's flag on the floor of the May Day Stadium at Pyongyang. The phrases above the hall read: “The Glorious Day” and “Celebration 70.” DPR Korea Tour-YonhapBy Jung Da-minNorth Korea is staging a mass gymnastics and artistic performance in Pyongyang, Sunday, to mark Sept. 9 foundation day.On Friday, DPR Korea Tour, a website run by North Korea's National Tourism Administration, released rehearsal photos of, "The Glorious Country," being held at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang.Tickets cost from $115.7 to $925.7, according to the website. Below are scenes from “The Glorious Country.”. DPR Korea Tour-Yonhap. DPR Korea Tour-Yonhap. DPR Korea Tour-Yonhap. DPR Korea Tour-Yonhap. DPR Korea Tour-YonhapSep 9, 2018
PHOTOS North Korea stages huge parade, without showing ICBMs North Korean soldiers march during a parade for the 70th anniversary of North Korea's founding day in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday. North Korea staged a major military parade, huge rallies and will revive its iconic mass games on Sunday to mark its 70th anniversary as a nation. AP Korean People's Army soldiers march during a mass rally on Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang on Sunday. AFP People wave plastic flowers during a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of North Korea's foundation in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday. Reuters. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, raises hands with China's third highest ranking official, Li Zhanshu, during a parade for the 70th anniversary of North Korea's founding day in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday. AP Chinese President Xi Jinping sends letter to NK leader By Kim Bo-eunNorth Korea did not showcase intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in its military parade held in Pyongyang, Sunday, marking the 70th anniversary of the communist regime’s founding.Pyongyang also did not provide live coverage of the Sep 9, 2018By Kim Bo-eun
