Tag: Pyongyang

US State Secretary Tillerson says talks with N.Korea may be close, notes ‘restraint’

  by Dave Clark Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States said Tuesday that talks with North Korea may be possible “in the near future” after Pyongyang reacted to tough new United Nations sanctions with a level of restraint. But, in keeping with a “dual track” strategy of reaching out to the North diplomatically while increasing economic pressure, Washington also imposed new sanctions on Chinese and Russian firms suspected of doing […]

US-South joint drills begin amid North Korea tensions

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea and the United States began annual war games on Monday, US Forces Korea said, amid heated warnings by Pyongyang that the exercises will worsen tensions in the region. Tens of thousands of troops are taking part in the “Ulchi Freedom Guardian” joint military drills, a largely computer-simulated exercise that runs for two weeks in the South. They are described as defensive, but nuclear-armed Pyongyang views them as a […]

North Korea leader hints he would hold off on plan to test-fire missiles to Guam after briefing

  SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has been briefed on a plan to fire missiles near Guam but hinted that he would hold off on the launch, Pyongyang’s state media said Tuesday. Kim “examined the plan for a long time” and “discussed it” with commanding officers on Monday during his inspection of the command of the Strategic Force in charge of the North’s missile units, according to the Korean Central […]

Video: North Korea has produced nuke warhead, says media report

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — North Korea has produced a nuclear warhead small enough to fit inside its missiles, the Washington Post reported Tuesday, a major development sure to further inflame tensions. The Post cited parts of an analysis conducted by the Defense Intelligence Agency that says the intelligence community thinks North Korea has “nuclear weapons for ballistic missile delivery” — including in intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Post said the assessment’s broad conclusions were verified […]

North Korea leader says ‘all US’ within range after missile test

  by Park Chan-Kyong Agence France Presse SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Jong-Un boasted of North Korea’s ability to strike any target in the US after a second ICBM test that weapons experts said Saturday could even bring New York into range -– in a potent challenge to President Donald Trump. China condemned the test but US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Beijing and Moscow bore “unique responsibility” for the growing threat posed by […]

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile developers received a celebratory welcome on their arrival in Pyongyang

  Pyongyang, North Korea (Reuters) — North Korean developers who contributed to the test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) received a celebratory welcome on their arrival in Pyongyang on Friday (July 7). The North’s state-run television KRT broadcast a video on Saturday (July 8) showing residents waving flowers to welcome the missile developers of ICBM that an expert said could allow a weapon to hit the U.S. state of Alaska. The United States plans […]

Warmbier has extensive brain tissue loss, shows no understanding of language – Doctors

(REUTERS) – Doctors treating the American college student who was detained for 17 months in North Korea said he suffered serious neurological injury but did not speculate as to what caused the injury, at a news conference on Thursday (June 15). Images of 22-year-old Otto Warmbier’s brain showed significant loss of brain tissue in all areas of his brain, Dr, Daniel Kanter said. “He shows no signs of understanding language, responding to verbal commands or […]

Driven to distraction: Pyongyang’s ‘traffic ladies’

by Sebastien Berger Agence France Presse PYONGYANG, North Korea (AFP) — Snapping their heads from side to side, marching into the roads in close-fitting blue uniforms and black heels, the “traffic ladies” who marshal vehicles at the intersections of Pyongyang are an emblematic image of the North Korean capital. Officially known as traffic security officers but universally referred to as traffic ladies, they are chosen for their looks in a society that remains traditionalist in many […]

Japan vows to block Pyongyang from getting money and technology for its nuclear ambitions

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Japanese government said on Monday (May 22) that it’s determined to impose its own sanctions to curb North Korea’s nuclear and missile ambitions, a day after Pyongyang conducted its second missile test in a week. Japanese government spokesperson Yoshihide Suga said in a regular news conference that blocking off money, parts and technologies that Pyongyang needs for its nuclear weapon programme is essential to curtailing the communist regime’s nuclear programme. The […]

N. Korea test-fires ballistic missile

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) – North Korea on Sunday test-fired a ballistic missile, Seoul’s military said, in an apparent test of South Korea’s new president who backs engagement with Pyongyang. The missile was launched from a site near the northwestern city of Kusong at around 5:30 am (2030 GMT Saturday) and flew about 700 kilometres (435 miles), according to the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. “The South and US are analysing more details about the […]

North Koreans move into new flats on Ryomyong Street

PYONGYANG, North Korea (Reuters) — North Korean faculty members of Kim Il Sung University and displaced people on Thursday (April 20) moved into new flats on Ryomyong street in Pyongyang, state media reports. Video filmed by the North’s state news agency KCNA, which could not be independently verified by Reuters, showed people moving into their new high-rise flat in central Pyongyang. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the colorful opening ceremony of […]