North Korea

North Korea’s Kim calls for preventing natural disasters and COVID-19 outbreaks

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged efforts to prevent natural disasters or coronavirus outbreaks from damaging the economy as he convened a meeting of the ruling party's politburo, state…

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UPDATED: U.S. says North Korea nuclear report shows “urgent need for dialogue” -official

A U.N. watchdog report that North Korea appears to have restarted a nuclear reactor reflects an urgent need for dialogue and the United States is seeking to address the issue…

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U.S. envoy says no hostile intent toward North Korea, calls for talks

The United States does not have hostile intent toward Pyongyang and is open to meeting any time and any place, Washington's special envoy for North Korea said on Monday during…

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North Korea says South, U.S. should ‘pay a price’ for military drills

South Korea and the United States should pay a price for going ahead with annual joint military drills due to begin this week, Kim Yo Jong, a powerful North Korean official and sister of…

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North Korea’s Kim calls for relief campaign in rain-hit areas

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…

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N.Korea criticises Britain for plan to deploy warships in Asia

North Korea criticised Britain on Tuesday for a plan to permanently deploy two warships in the Asia-Pacific region this year, calling it a "provocation". The plan comes as London steps up its engagement in…

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North Korea’s economy shrank most in 23 years amid COVID-19, sanctions – S.Korea c.bank

North Korea's economy suffered its biggest contraction in 23 years in 2020 as it was battered by continued U.N. sanctions, COVID-19 lockdown measures and bad weather, South Korea's central bank…

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North, South Korea in talks over summit

North and South Korea are in talks to reopen a joint liaison office that Pyongyang demolished last year and hold a summit as part of efforts to restore relations, three…

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Koreas re-establish hotline communication after yearlong vacuum

South and North Korea reopened their hotlines on Tuesday after a yearlong communications vacuum that had flared tensions and soured relations. At least 49 hotlines have been set up between the two Koreas…

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Seoul working for Pope visit to N.Korea

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…

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Leaders of N.Korea, China vow greater cooperation in face of foreign hostility

The leaders of North Korea and China traded messages vowing to strengthen cooperation on the anniversary of their treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between the two countries, North…

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North Korea Covid outbreak fears after Kim Jong-un warns of ‘huge crisis’ in ‘antivirus fight

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un chastised top ruling party officials for failures in anti-epidemic work that led to an unspecified “great crisis” and put the safety of the country…

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North Korea’s Kim says to prepare for ‘both dialogue and confrontation’ with U.S.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country should prepare for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, particularly confrontation, state media KCNA reported on Friday, in his…

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North Korea’s Kim says food situation ‘tense’ due to pandemic, typhoons

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the country's economy improved this year but called for measures to tackle the "tense" food situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and…

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New law in North Korea makes smuggling of foreign news or films punishable by death

North Korea has recently introduced a sweeping new law which seeks to stamp out any kind of foreign influence - harshly punishing anyone caught with foreign films, clothing or even…

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N.Korea’s ruling party sets up new post under leader Kim

North Korea's ruling party has amended its rules to create a de facto second-in-command under leader Kim Jong Un as he looks to revamp domestic politics, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said…

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Biden, South Korea’s Moon express willingness to engage North Korea

U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday injected fresh urgency into attempts to engage North Korea in dialogue over its nuclear weapons, with Biden saying…

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North Korea says Biden policy shows hostile U.S. intent

North Korea lashed out at the United States and its allies in South Korea on Sunday in a series of statements saying recent comments from Washington are proof of a…

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North Korea drops out of Tokyo Olympics citing COVID-19, dashing South Korea hopes

North Korea will not join the Tokyo Olympics this year due to coronavirus concerns, the country's sports ministry said on Tuesday, dashing South Korean hopes the Games could be a catalyst to revive…

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China, South Korea vow cooperation on North Korea after top diplomat meeting

China and South Korea vowed to work together to address problems on the Korean Peninsula during the first visit by a South Korean foreign minister to China in three years,…

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U.S., Japan, South Korea begin talks on North Korea

The United States, South Korea and Japan began a day of talks on Friday to discuss President Joe Biden's long-awaited review of North Korea policy and other pressing concerns, including…

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White house says Biden does not intend to meet with North Korea’s Kim

U.S. President Joe Biden does not intend to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the White House said on Monday. Asked if Biden's diplomatic approach to North Korea would include "sitting with President Kim Jong Un"…

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North Korea accuses U.N. Security Council of ‘double standard’ over missile tests

North Korea said on Monday that the U.N. Security Council showed a double standard as its sanctions committee criticised the country's recent missile test as a violation of U.N. resolutions. North Korea launched a…

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Missile test propels North Korea to top of Biden’s foreign agenda

North Korea's claim on Friday that it had launched a new type of tactical short-range ballistic missile highlighted military advances by the nuclear-armed state and propelled it to the top…

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Washington plays down firing of two short-range missiles by North Korea

North Korea fired two short-range missiles at the weekend, U.S. and South Korean officials said, but Washington played down the first such tests under President Joe Biden and said it…

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ANALYSIS-Biden faces calls to jumpstart North Korea talks with more pragmatic goals

With U.S. policy toward North Korea in limbo as the new administration in Washington conducts a months-long policy review, former officials and experts are sparring over whether to shift focus…

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North Korean hackers tried to steal Pfizer vaccine know-how, lawmaker says

South Korea's intelligence agency has said North Korea attempted to steal information on coronavirus vaccines and treatments by hacking Pfizer Inc, a lawmaker briefed by the agency said on Tuesday. Digital espionage targeting health bodies, vaccine scientists and drugmakers…

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North Korea sees talks as way to advance nuclear program, says U.S. intel official

The top U.S. intelligence officer for North Korea warned the country sees diplomacy only as a means to advance its nuclear weapons development, even as the new Biden administration says…

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North Korea cracks down on foreign media

North Korea is imposing stiff fines or prison for anyone caught enjoying South Korean entertainment or copying the way South Koreans speak as leader Kim Jong Un steps up a…

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North Korea shows off new submarine missiles after rare party congress

North Korea displayed what appeared to be a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) at a parade on Thursday night, state media reported, capping more than a week of political meetings with a…

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Kim Jong Un elected North Korea’s Workers Party general secretary

SEOUL (Reuters) - Leader Kim Jong Un cemented his power at the congress with his election as party general secretary, taking the title from his late father, Kim Jong Il.…

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North Korea’s Kim calls U.S. ‘our biggest enemy’ in challenge to Biden

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for more advanced nuclear weapons and said the United States is "our biggest enemy," state media said on Saturday, presenting…

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North Korea’s Kim says country’s economic plan failed ‘tremendously’

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his five-year economic plan had failed to meet its goals "on almost every sector" as he kicked off a congress of the ruling…

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Rare ‘thanks’ from North Korea’s Kim

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un thanked the public for their trust and support “in the difficult times” and wished them happiness and good health in his first New Year’s…

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U.S. accuses China of ‘flagrant violation’ of North Korea sanctions

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday accused China of "flagrant violation" of its obligation to enforce international sanctions on North Korea and said Washington would offer rewards of up to…

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Suspected North Korean hackers targeted COVID vaccine maker AstraZeneca

Suspected North Korean hackers have tried to break into the systems of British drugmaker AstraZeneca in recent weeks, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, as the company…

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North Korea prohibits smoking in public spaces

North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly introduced smoking bans in some public places to provide citizens with “hygienic living environments,” state media KCNA reported on Thursday. The tobacco-prohibition law aims to…

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North Korea warns citizens against China ‘yellow dust’ carrying coronavirus

North Korea has warned its citizens to stay indoors, saying seasonal yellow dust blowing in from China might carry the new coronavirus into the country. "As the new coronavirus infections…

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North Korea’s nuclear, missile programs ‘serious threat’ to security – Pentagon chief

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Wednesday said North Korea's nuclear and missile programs pose a global threat, after Pyongyang's unveiling of previously unseen intercontinental ballistic missiles at a predawn…

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North Korea warns about mobilising its nuclear force

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned on Saturday that his country would "fully mobilise" its nuclear force if threatened as he presided over a military parade in which the country…

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North Korea prepares for military parade despite coronavirus concern

North Koreans wearing medical masks have gathered in the capital of Pyongyang, state media reported this week, ahead of what is expected to be a big military parade on Saturday,…

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North Korea tells U.N. that now it has ‘effective war deterrent’

North Korea has a “reliable and effective war deterrent for self-defense” and will now focus on developing its economy, North Korea’s U.N. Ambassador Kim Song said on Tuesday, though he…

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North Korea warns of naval tensions during search for slain South Korean

North Korea said on Sunday it is searching for the body of South Korean official killed by its troops, but warned that South Korean naval operations in the area threatened…

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North Korea apologises for killing South Korean to control coronavirus

North Korea expressed regret on Friday over the death of a missing South Korean, saying it shot him as part of measures to battle the coronavirus, the South's national security…

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North Korean troops killed missing S.Korean official, burned body

North Korean troops shot dead a South Korean fisheries official who went missing earlier this week, before dousing his body in oil and setting it on fire in what was…

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Possible missile carrier spotted at North Korea parade practice

A vehicle that may be carrying a ballistic missile has been spotted at a parade training ground in North Korea amid signs it is preparing a big military display for…

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Flurry of activity fuels speculation of North Korea missile test

Analysts and security officials say they are watching for signs that North Korea may use an upcoming holiday to unveil new weapons or test fire a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM),…

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Photo Story: Ancient tombs and relics found in North Korea

An undated photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) show scenes from two tombs recently unearthed in South Hwanghae Province, North Korea. The tombs are believed…

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North Korea might be preparing launch of submarine missile – Think Thank

Satellite imagery of a North Korean shipyard on Friday shows activity suggestive of preparations for a test of a medium-range submarine-launched ballistic missile, a U.S. think tank reported on Friday.…

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Kim Jong-un warns over North Korea typhoon and coronavirus

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for prevention efforts against the novel coronavirus and a typhoon, state news agency KCNA said on Wednesday. An enlarged meeting of the…

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North Korea nuclear reactor site threatened by recent flooding

Satellite imagery suggests recent flooding in North Korea may have damaged pump houses connected to the country's main nuclear facility, a U.S.-based think-tank said on Thursday. Analysts at 38 North,…

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Red Cross sends thousands of volunteers to help North Korea cope with coronavirus, floods

The Red Cross has sent more than 43,000 volunteers to North Korea, including to the locked-down city of Kaesong, to help fight the novel coronavirus and provide flood assistance, an…

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WHO says North Korea’s COVID-19 test results for first suspected case ‘inconclusive’

North Korea’s test results for a man suspected of being the country’s first coronavirus case were inconclusive, though authorities have quarantined more than 3,635 primary and secondary contacts, a World…

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North Korea has “probably developed nuclear devices which fit into missiles” – UN

North Korea has seemingly made important progress in its nuclear weapons programme and several countries believe it has "probably developed miniaturised nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its…

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North Korea’s economy grows for first time in 3 years

The economy of isolated North Korea grew for the first time in three years in 2019 as better weather conditions boosted crop yields, but sanctions imposed to stop its nuclear…

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EU sanctions Russian intelligence, North Korean, Chinese firms over alleged cyberattacks

The European Union on Thursday imposed travel and financial sanctions on a department of Russia's military intelligence service and on firms from North Korea and China over their suspected participation in major cyberattacks…

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What is known about North Korea’s possible coronavirus ‘patient zero’

After North Korea announced what could be its first publicly confirmed case of coronavirus on Sunday, officials in Seoul believe they may have identified the man suspected of crossing into…

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