North Korea fires suspected missile as South Korea breaks ground for “peace” railway
Seoul, South KoreaReuters North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile off its east coast on Wednesday, just hours before South Korean President Moon Jae-in attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a rail line he hopes will eventually connect the divided Korean peninsula. North Korea’s first launch since October underscored leader Kim Jong-un’s New Year vow to […]
Essay: Kim Jong-un’s decade in power – Starvation, repression and brutal rule – just like his father and grandfather
In an article first published on The Conversation, SUNG-YOON LEE, professor of Korean Studies at Tufts University in the US, looks at King Jong-un’s 10 years as North Korean leader…
Moon tells Pope a visit to North would help peace in Koreas
Vatican CityAP South Korean President Moon Jae-in gave Pope Francis a statue of a cross made with barbed wire from the demilitarized zone separating the Koreas and told him Friday that a papal visit to the North would help create “momentum for peace” on the peninsula, officials said. Moon, a Catholic, called on Francis before […]
North Korea’s Kim calls for relief campaign in rain-hit areas
Seoul, South KoreaReuters North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has mobilised the military to carry out relief work in areas recently hit by heavy rains, state media said on Sunday, amid concerns over an economic crisis and food shortage. The ruling Worker’s Party’s Central Military Commission held a meeting of its chapter in the eastern province […]
South, North Korea have restored hotlines as leaders seek to rebuild ties
Seoul, South KoreaReuters South and North Korea have restored hotlines that Pyongyang severed a year ago when ties deteriorated sharply, with renewed efforts by the two countries’ leaders to rebuild relations, the South’s presidential Blue House said on Tuesday. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have exchanged multiple letters since […]
Seoul working for Pope visit to North Korea, Vatican agency says
Vatican CityReuters South Korea’s intelligence chief has said he is working on a possible visit by Pope Francis to North Korea, a Catholic news agency associated with the Vatican says. Any visit would be the first by a pope to the reclusive state, which does not allow priests to be permanently stationed there. There is […]
Essay: North Korea food shortage – why Kim Jong-un’s COVID-19 policy could lead to mass starvation
In an article first published on The Conversation, SOJIN LIM, an expert in Korean studies, looks at why North Korean leader Kim Jong-un isn’t letting international aid into the country despite what appears to be a growing food shortage crisis…
South Korea’s Moon says “time to take action” on North Korea ahead of summit with Biden
Seoul, South KoreaReuters South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Monday he sees his final year in office as the last chance to achieve a lasting peace with North Korea, and said it was time to take action amid stalled talks over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs. Moon’s comments, in a speech marking the fourth […]
Mixed signals for North Korean leader’s sister as Kim seeks to cement power
Seoul, South KoreaReuters The name of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister was missing from a new list of the ruling Workers’ Party’s powerful politburo, according to state media KCNA on Monday, sending mixed signals about her status after years of increasing clout. The party held elections on Sunday for its Central Committee during its […]
Analysis: With improved leverage, North Korea leader Kim awaits winner of US vote
Seoul, KoreaReuters North Korea’s Kim Jong-un awaits the winner of next week’s US presidential election armed with greater leverage in high-stakes nuclear diplomacy, thanks to a more powerful and versatile arsenal of weapons than at the start of the Trump presidency. While Donald Trump boasts of having prevented war and exchanged “beautiful letters” with Kim, […]