North Korea

North Korea's Kim Jong Un reelected as chief of ruling Workers' Party

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was reelected to the top post of the ruling Workers' Party, with delegates crediting him for bolstering the country's nuclear arsenal and strengthening its regional standing, state media reported Monday. The report from the party congress, where Kim is expected to outline his key political and military goals for the next five years, suggests he will double down on accelerating a military nuclear program already equipped with missiles capable of threatening Asian US allies and the American mainland. The congress, which began last Thursday, comes as Kim grows increasingly assertive in regional politics, following an aggressive expansion of his nuclear arsenal and closer ties with Russia forged through joint war efforts in Ukraine, which have deepened his standoffs with Washington and Seoul. Analysts say Kim will likely use the meeting to unveil new military goals, including strengthening conventional forces and integrating them with nuclear capabilities

North Korea's Kim deploys 50 new missile launchers ahead of party congress

North Korea said Thursday leader Kim Jong Un held a ceremony to unveil the deployment of 50 new launch vehicles for nuclear-capable short-range missiles threatening rival South Korea as he flaunted his expanding military capabilities ahead of a major ruling party congress. In a separate statement, Kim's sister, who is a key foreign policy official acknowledged a South Korean minister's apology regarding alleged civilian drone incursions, but said the North is bolstering border security against the "enemy" South. North Korea has suspended nearly all talks and cooperation with the South since 2019, when Kim's nuclear diplomacy with U.S. President Donald Trump derailed over US-led sanctions. Relations worsened in recent years as Kim discarded the North's long-standing goal of peaceful reunification and declared a hostile "two-state" system on the Korean Peninsula, a stance he may further institutionalize in the Workers' Party's constitution during the upcoming congress. State media ...

S Korea's drone regret sensible, but insufficient: N Korean leader's sister

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Friday it was "sensible" for a South Korean government official to express regret for alleged civilian drone flights over North Korea but warned of counterattacks if they recur. The statement by Kim Yo Jong came after South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young on Tuesday expressed "deep regret" over the alleged flights and stressed that Seoul's liberal government seeks "mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence" between the war-divided rivals. North Korea threatened retaliation last month after accusing South Korea of launching a surveillance drone flight in September and again in January. The South Korean government has denied operating any drones during the times specified by North Korea but law enforcement authorities are investigating three civilians suspected of flying drones into the North from border areas. The development threatens to further dampen prospects for a push by Seoul to resume long-stalled tal

Kim likely to issue major policy goals at North Korea party congress in Feb

North Korea will convene a major political conference later this month, the country's state media said Sunday, where leader Kim Jong Un is expected to outline his domestic and foreign policies for the next five years. The ruling Workers' Party congress, which Kim previously held in 2016 and 2021, comes after years of accelerated nuclear and missile development and deepening ties with Moscow over the war in Ukraine that have increased his standoffs with the United States and South Korea. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said the party's political bureau met under Kim's supervision and decided the congress would be held in late February. State media did not immediately specify a date or release agenda details. The congress will likely continue for days as a highly choreographed display of Kim's authoritarian leadership. In recent weeks, Kim has inspected weapons tests and toured military sites and economic projects as state media highlighted his purported achievements

North Korea to unveil new nuclear plans at upcoming ruling party congress

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will unveil plans to further bolster its nuclear programme at the upcoming ruling party congress, as he observed the North's latest weapons launch, state media reported Wednesday. The report came a day after South Korea and Japan said they detected multiple ballistic missiles fired from North Korea, the country's first weapons launches in about three weeks. The Korean Central News Agency said North Korea performed a live-fire drill of an upgraded large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system in the presence of Kim on Tuesday. It quoted Kim as saying the test launch was meant to enhance the effectiveness of the country's "strategic deterrent," a term used to describe its nuclear weapons capability. KCNA said the launcher system's mobility and strike accuracy have been improved. Experts say North Korea's large-sized rocket launchers blur the boundaries between artillery systems and ballistic missiles because they can create their own .

North Korea's Kim Jong Un dismisses vice premier over factory project

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dismissed a vice premier in charge of the country's machine-building industry, state media reported Tuesday, in an apparent bid to strengthen discipline among senior officials ahead of the upcoming ruling Workers' Party congress to establish new economic and other state objectives. The Korean Central News Agency said that Kim blamed Yang Sung Ho for causing unnecessary man-made confusion in a speech marking the completion of a first-stage modernization project at the Ryongsong Machine Complex in the northeast on Monday. Kim said the project suffered not a small amount of economic loss because of irresponsible and incompetent officials. Kim said authorities wasted large amounts of funds and labor" and that the munitions industry sector was subsequently left with a heavier burden, according to KCNA. Kim said he criticised Yang during a party meeting in December and watched him closely, but found that he felt no sense of responsibility at all, KCNA ...

North Korea accuses South of drone intrusions, vows strong retaliation

North Korea's military accused South Korea of flying drones across the border between the nations this week, warning Saturday that South Korea will face consequences for its unpardonable hysteria. South Korea quickly denied the accusation. But the development is likely to further dim prospects for efforts by South Korea's liberal government to restore ties with North Korea. North Korean forces used special electronic warfare assets on Sunday to bring down a South Korean drone flying over North Korea's border town. The drone was equipped with two cameras that filmed unspecified areas, the General Staff of the North's Korean People's Army said in a statement carried by state media. South Korea infiltrated another drone into North Korean airspace on September 27 before it was forced to crash following electronic strikes by North Korea, the statement said, adding that authorities found the drone also contained video data on major objects in North Korea. We strongly denounce the hooliga

North Korea says latest missile tests involves hypersonic weapons system

North Korea said Monday that leader Kim Jong Un observed test-flights of hypersonic missiles and underscored the need to bolster the country's nuclear war deterrent, as the country dials up weapons displays ahead of its major political conference. North Korea reported on the drill a day after its neighbours said they detected multiple ballistic missile launches and accused the North of carrying out provocations. The tests came just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for a summit with President Xi Jinping. The official Korean Central News Agency said Sunday's drill involving a hypersonic weapon system was meant to examine its readiness, enhance missile troops' firepower operational skills and evaluate operational capabilities of the country's war deterrent. Through today's launching drill, we can confirm that a very important technology task for national defense has been carried out, Kim said, according to KCNA. We must continuously upgrade the ...

North Korea condemns US strikes on Venezuela as sovereignty violation

"The incident is another example that clearly confirms once again the rogue and brutal nature of the United States," KCNA said, citing a spokesperson for North Korea's Foreign Ministry

South Korea says North Korea has launched ballistic missile into sea

North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea on Sunday, South Korea's military said. South Korea's military said North Korea's missile launch off the North's east coast happened Sunday morning but gave no further details. Japan's defence ministry also reported a suspected missile launch by North Korea. There were no immediate reports of any damages. The launch is the latest weapons display by North Korea ahead of its upcoming ruling Workers' Party congress. Experts say North Korea is likely ramping up weapons tests to show off its achievements in the defence sector ahead of the congress, the first of its kind in five years. Observers are watching the congress to see whether North Korea will set a new policy on the US and respond to its calls to resume long-stalled talks. The launch also came hours before South Korea's president, Lee Jae Myung, leaves for China for a summit with President Xi Jinping. During the trip, Lee's office said he would request China to make a ...

North Korea's Kim Jong Un tests long-range cruise missile over West Sea

The results of the exercise provided a practical verification and a clear demonstration of the reliability and combat power of North Korea's strategic counterattack capabilities, Kim Jong Un said

Amazon warns of North Korean IT infiltration, blocks over 1,800 applicants

Amazon said it blocked over 1,800 North Koreans from applying for remote IT jobs, warning that fake identities and laptop farms are being used to earn and secretly route funds back to Pyongyang

Kim Jong Un and top officials prepare for once-in-5-years party meeting

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials have gathered to discuss preparations for the ruling party's first full congress in five years, state media reported Wednesday. The top-level meeting will set new priorities as the U.S. and South Korea seek a resumption of talks with North Korea. The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim presided over a plenary meeting of the Workers Party's Central Committee on Tuesday. It said participants began discussing unspecified key issues related to the party congress and reviewing this year's state policies. KCNA gave no further details, but observers say the plenary meeting will likely last a few days and set an official agenda for the party congress, which is expected to be held in January or February. The congress, the top decision-making organ of the Workers' Party, was revived by Kim in 2016 after a 36-year hiatus. Experts say Kim aimed to increase the party's authority as part of efforts to solidify his grip on power. Th

South Korean President mulls apology to North over allegations of drone use

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday he's weighing a possible apology to North Korea over suspicions that his ousted conservative predecessor intentionally sought to raise military tensions between the war-divided rivals in the buildup to his brief martial law declaration in December 2024. Speaking to reporters on the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's ill-fated power grab, Lee a liberal who won a snap presidential election following Yoon's removal from office in April stressed his desire to repair ties with North Korea. But asked about North Korea's yearslong detentions of several South Korean nationals, Lee said he wasn't aware of the issue, drawing criticism from relatives who call for their safe return. A special prosecutor last month indicted Yoon and two of his top defense officials over allegations that he ordered drone flights over North Korea to stoke tensions. South Korean media also reported Monday that South Korea's military under Yoon'

Seoul is facing a more brazen North Korea amid rising border tensions

South Korea's new president is under pressure to act. In the last 12 months there have been repeated border breaches by North Korean troops, which have at times drawn warning shots from the South

US nod for S Korea's nuke submarines will lead to 'nuclear domino': N Korea

Seoul has sought to secure enrichment and spent fuel recycling rights as part of efforts to address concerns about energy security and growing stockpiles of nuclear waste

S Korea's ousted leader Yoon indicted for flying drones over North Korea

South Korea's ousted conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol faces more criminal charges on Monday as prosecutors allege that he flew drones over North Korea in a deliberate bid to stoke tensions and justify his plans to declare martial law. Yoon set off the most serious political crisis in South Korea's recent history when he imposed martial law on Dec. 3, 2024 and sent troops to surround the National Assembly. He was later impeached and removed from office, and is in jail, standing trial on charges including masterminding a rebellion. His successor and liberal rival, President Lee Jae Myung, approved legislation that launched independent investigations into Yoon's martial law stunt and other criminal allegations involving his wife and administration. On Monday, Yoon and two of his top defence officials were charged with benefitting the enemy and committing abuse of power over their alleged drone flights, which happened about two months before the declaration of martial law, according

South Korea seeks greater Chinese efforts to bring N Korea back to talks

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to make greater efforts to persuade North Korea to return to talks, as the two leaders on Saturday agreed on a set of agreements to expand their economic and other ties. Their one-on-one meeting came hours after they and other Asia-Pacific leaders wrapped up their annual summit in South Korea with a joint statement pledging stronger economic cooperation. The two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in the city of Gyeongju took place a day after Xi and US President Donald Trump agreed to dial back earlier steps and de-escalate their trade war. During his meeting with Lee, Xi called for Seoul to work with Beijing to practice genuine multilateralism, according to Chinese state media, as he continued to position Beijing as the defender of the global trade order upended by Trump's sweeping tariffs. Xi, Lee discuss North Korea --------------------------------- Chinese state media reports on the Xi-Lee meeting didn'

North Korea test-fires cruise missiles while Trump visits South Korea

North Korea said Wednesday its recent test-firings of sea-to-surface cruise missiles were successful, in another display of its growing military capabilities as US President Donald Trump visits South Korea. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said the missiles fired Tuesday flew for more than two hours before accurately striking targets in its western waters. It said the weapons would contribute to expanding the operational sphere of the country's nuclear-armed military. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military had detected the North Korean launch preparations and that the cruise missiles were fired in the North's northwestern waters at around 3 pm on Tuesday. The joint chiefs said South Korea and the United States were analysing the weapons and maintaining a combined defense readiness capable of a dominant response against any North Korean provocation. The North Korean report came hours before an expected summit between Trump and South Korean President Le

Trump 'open' to meeting North Korea's Kim Jong Un during Asia visit

The US president also suggested he was open to officially recognising North Korea as a nuclear power over the objections of allies including Seoul