US ban on travel to North Korea may end this month By Jung Da-minA U.S. ban on its citizens traveling to North Korea is expected to expire at the end of this month.The U.S. government announced on Aug. 2 last year that U.S. passport holders were banned from traveling to North Korea for a year. The ban took effect on Sept. 1. There has been no announcement from the U.S. government of an extension.The travel ban followed the death of U.S. college student Otto Wombier, who suffered brain damage after he was detained by North Korea.Aug 8, 2018
North Korean cosmetics popular in China: report North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju, right, visit the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory in North Pyongan Province on July 1. YonhapBy Jung Da-minMany might doubt the quality of "made in North Korea" products, but some Chinese seem to support them, according to Chinese media.An report on North Korean cosmetics being popular among Chinese online shoppers was posted on a Chinese blog called Zhengzhidao July 15 and has since been shared by multiple Chinese news outlets.The article introduced North Korean cosmetic lines Bomhyanggi and Unhasu, produced by the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory and Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, respectively.In particular, Bomhyanggi, meaning spring scent, has been receiving media attention in North Korea and China after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Sinuiju factory on July 1.Kim's tour of factories in the border city of Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province, has been seen as a preparatory step for North Korea-China economic cooperation. The Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory produces a brand called Bomhyanggi. YonhapChinese state-run media have also been hiAug 8, 2018
Trump offered to send Pompeo to North Korea again U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to send Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to North Korea again to meet with Pyongyang's leader and continue negotiations on dismantling its nuclear weapons program, a top Trump aide said Tuesday.Trump made the proposal in his most recent letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton. The letter was delivered to the North's foreign minister during last week's regional gathering in Singapore. Pompeo also took part in the meeting."Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is prepared to go back to North Korea to meet with Kim Jong-un. We've proposed that in our most recent letter from the president to Kim Jong-un," Bolton said in an interview with Fox News.Pompeo has made three known trips to Pyongyang. On his first two trips, he met with Kim and laid the groundwork for the first-ever meeting between a U.S. and North Korean leader.Trump and Kim held a historic summit in Singapore in June that yielded a joint statement committing the North Korean leader to work toward the complete denuclearization of the KoreaAug 8, 2018
North Korea coal shipment tests Seoul-Washington sanctions alliance By Kim Bo-eunMultiple reports of ships allegedly carrying North Korean coal to South Korea are expected to weigh on the alliance between South Korea and the U.S., despite the two governments stating that this is an excessive concern. But these discoveries are becoming a sensitive issue for the U.S., which has vowed to maintain sanctions strictly until the North takes concrete denuclearization steps.The government is currently investigating nine instances of suspected North Korean coal imports. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions imposed last August ban Pyongyang from exporting coal, iron and other mineral resources, and member states from buying them. A further damning allegation is that suspected North Korean coal was bought by a subsidiary of the state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).The U.S. has maintained a clear stance on North Korean sanctions, with Washington issuing an enforcement advisory last month, days after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the UNSC and called for the strict maintenance of the restrictions imposed on Pyongyang.“WeAug 7, 2018
North Korea returns South Korean hostage via Panmunjom Panmunjom / Korea Times fileBy Park Si-sooNorth Korea returned a South Korean citizen who had been held there through the inter-Korean border town of Panmunjom on Tuesday in the latest peace overture toward its southern rival.The repatriated person is a 34-year-old, whose surname is Suh, said Seoul’s unification ministry. He entered North Korea late last month, the ministry said, citing a message from the North.The person crossed into the South at 11 a.m., it added.Further details were not available immediately.According to Yonhap, the North's Red Cross informed the South on Monday of a plan to send the person back.Ministry officials said the North’s “humanitarian” measure which would have a “positive” impact on inter-Korean relations.The ministry said six other South Koreans were still held captive in the North.Aug 7, 2018
North Korean cold noodle restaurant awaits South Koreans The photo from North Korea's state-run media Korea Central News Agency's Friday report shows foods served at Okryugwan, a restaurant in Pyongyang famous for its signature cold noodle dish. YonhapBy Jung Da-minAre North Koreans in favor of unification?North Korean media these days are promoting “unification by our people,” unification of South and North Korea by the two Koreas themselves.Pro-North Korea media outlet Tongil Sinbo's interview with a chief food “technician” at Pyongyang's famous cold noodle restaurant Okryugwan, has recently been in the spotlight in South Korean media.In the interview, chief technician Ra Suk-kyung said the Okryugwan staff awaited South Korean customers.“Our nation is one that cannot be divided,” she said. “I hope that the day will come when the South Korean compatriots will come and visit the well-preserved Okryugwan and enjoy the scenery of Taedong River while feasting on Pyongyang naengmyeon dish, as soon as possible.”The interview also highlighted the Pyongayng naengmyeon craze in Seoul brought by NorthAug 7, 2018
UN approves plan to unlock humanitarian aid to North Korea The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted guidelines to ease the provision of humanitarian aid to North Korea in the face of crippling sanctions against the regime, news reports said.The guidelines were proposed by the United States last month as international aid groups complained of bureaucratic obstacles caused by the sanctions over North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, the AFP reported.A Security Council committee that monitors sanctions on North Korea said none of the 15 council members objected to the plan, and it would be circulated among all 193 U.N. member states, according to the AP.The U.N. estimates that nearly half of North Korea's population -- some 10 million people -- are in need of food. The country also faces a shortage of medical supplies.The guidelines are designed to expedite the process of winning the committee's exemption to provide aid to the North. They recommend that governments and nongovernmental organizations submit their requests in a letter with 10 elements, including a description of the items to be delivered Aug 7, 2018
What are possible steps to ease North Korean sanctions U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, shakes hands with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, as South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, back right, looks on during the opening of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Singapore, Saturday. Ri accused the U.S. of dragging its feet in building mutual trust for Pyongyang's denuclearization in return for economic development assistance. / YonhapWashington encouraged to lift measures that disrput humanitarian aidBy Yi Whan-wooThe United States, although it insists on maintaining nuclear sanctions on North Korea, is apparently willing to engage with the Kim Jong-un regime.This raises speculation on how Washington will lift sanctions if Pyongyang takes denuclearization measures in accordance with U.S. demands.Several analysts speculate Washington may take three steps _ lifting sanctions that may concern humanitarian issues and later moving on to livelihood and trade as well as investment.Experts suggest South Korea should consider scrapping its own economic sanctions imposed on May 24, 2010, if the U.S. moves toward easing sanctions on Aug 6, 2018
North Korea factories serve as colleges North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a bag factory in Pyongyang in this 2017 file photo. YonhapBy Jung Da-minWith North Korean leader Kim Jong-un spending more time on “spot guidance” in recent months, North Korean factories are often being highlighted in propaganda media.Videos on North Korean websites often show workers wearing headsets to “remote lectures” in front of monitors in a computer room. All staff, from junior workers to managers, learn “modern technologies” for better production, according to reports.These “remote” lectures are part of the curriculum of so-called factory universities, which many workers attend after finishing 12 years of compulsory education.As explained in the Thursday edition of North Korea's party mouthpiece Rodong Sinmun, these factory universities were introduced during the Korean War (1950-53). The basic idea is to work during the day and study at night. This system aims to foster technicians while not stopping production needed to recover from the ravages of war.It also aims to realize the socialAug 6, 2018
Koreas exchange names of separated families ahead of reunions South and North Korea have exchanged the final lists of their people who will take part in the planned family reunions later this month, the unification ministry said Saturday.The two Koreas exchanged the lists with each other at the border village of Panmunjom. They earlier agreed to hold the event involving 100 people from each side, but the final numbers were not immediately available.The families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War are scheduled to meet at North Korea's Mount Kumgang from Aug. 20-26, according to the Ministry of Unification.The event is a follow-up on the pledge made at the summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in April. It will mark the first of its kind since October 2015. (Yonhap)Aug 4, 2018
