North Korea denounces Quad's demand for denuclearization SEOUL, July 4 (AJP) - North Korea on Friday slammed the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad over its "coercive" demand for the isolated country's complete denuclearization, calling it a "provocation" that infringes on its sovereignty. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) accused the informal alliance, which was formed among Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, of "recklessly interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign state" and warned that "such acts will inevitably bring about grave consequences," quoting the foreign ministry. The ministry claimed its nuclear-armed state "permanently fixed and irreversible," warning that it would not hesitate to take "self-defensive countermeasures" if provoked. It further threatened that the U.S. must be responsible for any negative consequences of its "malicious and hostile" intentions against the North. The North's tirade came after the foreign ministers of the four countries met in Washington earlier this week and issued a joint statement condemning North Korea's continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, which violate U.N. Security Council resolutions. In their meeting chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Quad countries also reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. 2025-07-04 14:50:29

INTERVIEW: US strikes on Iranian nuke sites may spur North Korea's nuclear buildup, Iranian envoy warns SEOUL, July 4 (AJP) - Last month's U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which came shortly after Israel's sudden attack on Tehran, have ignited a cycle of escalating military tensions and retaliatory attacks across the Middle East. These developments could have "perilous" global repercussions with far-reaching consequences for further hostilities, potentially emboldening nuclear-armed countries including North Korea to reassess their military capabilities and defense strategies, Iran's top envoy in Seoul warned in an exclusive interview with AJP earlier this week. "Those strikes could mislead North Korea into believing it must further bolster its military arsenals for nuclear deterrence, along with the notion that Washington is not a trustworthy partner for talks or negotiations," said Iranian Ambassador to Seoul Saeed Koozechi. Koozechi's comments came just a few weeks after Israel launched a "preemptive" attack on Iran on June 13, which it claimed was intended to prevent Tehran from nearing completion of nuclear weapons. Tensions in the already-volatile region escalated even further about a week later when Washington struck three Iranian nuclear sites including a secret underground uranium enrichment facility in a remote mountainous area using precision-guided, high-powered munitions known as "bunker-buster" bombs for the first time in an overnight operation dubbed "Midnight Hammer." About 12 days of tit-for-tat aerial strikes including Iranian missile attacks on a U.S. base in Qatar ended early last week with a "fragile" ceasefire deal mediated by the U.S. between Israel and Iran. Iran's development of nuclear weapons has long been in the crosshairs of international non-proliferation efforts, with many experts comparing it to North Korea's nuclear ambitions. At this point, Koozechi said he believes the fresh escalation of conflict in the Middle East may undermine such efforts, sending the "wrong signal" to countries that possess or are pursuing nuclear weapons programs like North Korea, where denuclearization talks remain stalled. He speculated that North Korea, which may feel threatened, would seek to further bolster its military buildup. Indeed, North Korea quickly condemned the strikes by both Israel and the U.S., with state media providing unusually detailed coverage instead of its typically terse commentary or silence on the outside world. Koozechi's comments draw attention to the multifaceted nature of Iran's diplomatic stance, as it maintains relations with the two Koreas and is one of only a handful of countries with an embassy in Pyongyang. Currently headed by chargé d'affaires ad interim Hossein Janzani, Tehran's mission in the isolated country resumed operations in recent years after North Korea gradually reopened its borders in 2022, following the coronavirus pandemic. When asked whether Tehran had communicated with Pyongyang about the latest Middle Eastern conflict, Koozechi declined to elaborate. Instead, he said vaguely that Iran has been "keenly monitoring the situation and assessing how it might affect peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, while coordinating with all Iranian missions overseas." But he assessed that the alleged U.S. "green light" for Israeli strikes, followed by its own airstrikes, blew any chance for future talks between Pyongyang and Washington, making U.S. President Donald Trump's overtures to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un seem unlikely anytime soon. Furthermore, he predicted that South Korean President Lee Jae-myung may also find it difficult to ease tensions and pursue dialogue with the North, despite already taking a step by suspending loudspeaker broadcasts along the border areas just a week after taking office early last month, in what appeared to be a signal for rapprochement. He then cautioned that Seoul should brace itself and prepare for any fallout, which may "pose challenges to its security and complicate inter-Korean relations. In particular, pointing to Seoul's "ironclad" alliance with Washington, he asked, "If the U.S. truly considers South Korea a close ally, shouldn't it refrain from such futile strikes on Iran that could put its ally's security at risk?" Meanwhile, Koozechi insisted that Iran's nuclear program remains strictly for peaceful purposes such as energy generation and medical applications for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. He also denied his country's involvement with North Korea in developing missiles and other weapons of mass destruction, as well as any transfer of related technologies, dismissing such allegations as "false and ungrounded." Wrapping up the interview, he vowed that his country would "take whatever steps are necessary to defend its sovereignty and people, should it come under attack again." 2025-07-04 10:43:06

N. Korea reaffirms nuclear status and blasts S. Korea and US for joint drills SEOUL, July 3 (AJP) - North Korea issued a sharp rebuke on Thursday to the United States over joint military exercises with South Korea and the deployment of strategic assets in the region, calling them “provocative acts” that aggravate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. In an editorial carried by the state-run Rodong Sinmun, Pyongyang claimed that the U.S. has “repeatedly staged acts of provocation” through combined military drills since the end of the Korean War. The paper described such moves as part of Washington’s “unchanging ambition of aggression” toward the North. “If a country is weak, it inevitably becomes the target of invasion and humiliation,” the newspaper said, pointing to unnamed countries as examples. It also warned that “any complacency in strengthening defense capabilities” could threaten both national security and the livelihoods of citizens. The editorial went on to reaffirm the North’s status as a nuclear-armed state, saying the country has “risen as a nuclear power” and has “fundamentally shifted the balance of power in East Asia.” It claimed that a “crack has appeared” in the global order led by imperialist forces. In a separate article, the newspaper criticized NATO’s recent move to raise defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035. The statement comes amid renewed speculation over a possible meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump recently said that any “potential conflict” between the two countries could be resolved, referring positively to his personal rapport with Kim. Trump is reportedly considering a visit to South Korea in October during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, raising the possibility of an encounter with Kim at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom. 2025-07-03 10:55:48

North Korea's massive coastal tourist zone opens after epic delay SEOUL, July 2 (AJP) - North Korea has opened its long-awaited tourist zone in the eastern coastal area of Kangwon Province after years of construction delays, state-run media reported on Wednesday. According to the country's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the "magnificent tourist attraction which is unparalleled in the world" was opened to the public the previous day with "many guests" on the first day of its grand opening. Located in the southeastern port city of Wonsan, the zone along the scenic beaches is one of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's ambitious projects to boost the impoverished country's tourism industry as a source of hard currency. The grand opening came about a week after leader Kim Jong-un inspected the site with his wife and daughter last Tuesday. Resort and leisure amenities including about 40 lodgings accommodating up to 20,000 guests and other services are currently available to domestic travelers, with plans to attract foreign visitors later this month. The zone is reportedly equipped with shopping and entertainment facilities including restaurants serving the country's signature Pyongyang-style cold noodles, ginseng tea, beer, and more. Kim's pet project was initially slated for completion by April 2019 to coincide with the birthday of his grandfather and regime founder Kim Il-sung, but construction was immensely delayed due to difficulties in obtaining materials amid international sanctions. 2025-07-02 11:43:36

Early heat wave brings record temperatures across country SEOUL, July 1 (AJP) - As an early heat wave grips the country, several cities have recorded their highest average daily temperatures for this time of year, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said Tuesday. According to the KMA, the average temperature in the southern port city of Busan climbed to 26.2 degrees Celsius on the last day of June, the highest ever recorded for the month since weather observations began in 1904. The southwestern city of Mokpo also set a new record at 28.1 degrees while Daegu, one of the hottest cities in the country, reached 30.7 degrees, the highest since 1907. Gangneung in eastern Gangwon Province saw the mercury rise to 31.9 degrees, while Jeonju in North Jeolla Province recorded 29.5 degrees, with both breaking previous records for the month of June. The KMA attributed the unseasonable heat wave to hot and humid air flowing in from the southwest under the influence of a North Pacific high-pressure system. The hot and humid weather, accompanied by tropical nights, when temperatures remain above 25 degrees at night, is expected to linger across most parts of the country for a while. Meanwhile, all the beaches in Busan are now fully open, with some having partially opened late last month. They will remain open until the end of August or early September. 2025-07-01 14:51:44

Kim Jong-un's wife surfaces for first time in about 18 months SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's wife appeared at an event for the grand opening of a coastal tourist zone, state media reported on Thursday. According to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim attended a ceremony on Tuesday marking the completion of the Wonsan and Kalma tourist zone in Kangwon Province, one of his pet projects, as he apparently aims to boost the country's tourism industry as a source of hard currency for his regime. Kim was accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju and his daughter Ju-ae. It was Ri's first public appearance in about a year and a half, since a New Year's Day event in January 2024. Ri had disappeared from a public radar in recent months, while Ju-ae has been appearing frequently along with his father instead, prompting speculation that she is being groomed as his successor. Photos released by KCNA showed Ri keeping a slight distance behind Kim and Ju-ae, who stood next to him. Notably, Ri was seen carrying a handbag believed to be from the Italian luxury brand Gucci, reportedly worth around 3 million won ($2,150). The hereditary Kim family is known to have a propensity for luxury goods, having previously been seen with high-end jewelry and other items despite UN Security Council sanctions banning the export of such products. Meanwhile, also present at the event were Kim's sister, Yo-jong along with Russian Ambassador to North Korea Aleksandr Matsegora and other embassy officials. 2025-06-26 17:09:14

Top security adviser attends NATO summit on behalf of Lee SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with a slew of heads of state and government officials on the sidelines of the NATO summit which kicked off in the Hague, the Netherlands early this week. Wi, who is attending the two-day summit on behalf of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, held a series of talks with key figures and participants including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio. According to the presidential office here on Thursday, Wi delivered a personal letter from Lee during a meeting with Rutte, seeking understanding for the president's absence due to a backlog of domestic affairs since taking office early this month. But Wi pledged Seoul's commitment to addressing "complex global challenges" through cooperation with the European political and military alliance, "which shares the values of democracy and peace." Wi also discussed "various pending issues" with Rubio and agreed to hold a summit between the leaders of the two allies "as early as possible." Meanwhile, NATO allies agreed to increase defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP by 2035. Of the expenditures, at least 3.5 percent will be allocated "to resource core defense requirements," while the remainder will cover related spending including critical infrastructure, networks, and civil preparedness. According to a joint declaration released the previous day, the participants at the gathering agreed to boost defense spending, as they feed the need to be "united in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and the persistent threat of terrorism." With the latest agreement among NATO allies, Washington is even more likely to seek renegotiation of its defense cost-sharing deal with South Korea to hike the upkeep of maintaining some 28,500 U.S. troops here. 2025-06-26 16:21:25

North Korean defectors recount plight at UN human rights event in Seoul SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - North Korean defectors recounted their harrowing journeys of escape and the plights they endured at an event in Seoul this week, informing international experts on human rights violations in the isolated country. Hosted by the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, the two-day event which kicked off on Thursday was part of the drafting process for a ten-year assessment of the human rights situation in North Korea. The event brought together human rights experts, activists, journalists, and officials from related international organizations. On the first day of the event, four defectors shared their personal stories of restrictions on fundamental freedoms, discrimination, limits on freedom of expression, and social control in North Korea. “This ten-year assessment report was requested by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in April 2024 and will be presented by the High Commissioner later this year,” said James Heenan, head of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul. “The 2014 report covered the entire history of North Korea from the late 1940s to 2014, whereas this report will focus only on the past ten years,” Heenan explained. Heenan added that the report is based primarily on firsthand information, with over 300 interviews conducted for the report. “Some of these individuals have agreed to speak publicly today, and their testimonies will be taken into account as we finalize the report,” he said. Maeng Hyo-sim, one of the speakers who defected from North Korea in 2018, said many people in the country remain unaware of the severe human rights abuses they live under. “Most North Koreans still don’t know how people live in other countries because access to the internet, foreign books, and videos is completely blocked,” she said. She recalled being shocked when she discovered the truth about the regime. “Kim Jong-un is deified as a leader who works selflessly for the people, and for 17 years I believed that. But when I learned the reality, I was devastated,” she said. “Even now, many in North Korea don’t understand what freedom or human rights mean,” she added. “But I believe that if more people pay attention, it can help bring about change.” 2025-06-26 12:07:42

North Korea holds mass rallies against US on Korean War anniversary SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - North Korea held a series of mass anti-United States rallies this week to mark the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, Pyongyang's state media reported on Wednesday. According to the official state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), various unions organized rallies in Pyongyang and other regions on Tuesday and Wednesday. The events were part of what the North calls the “Day of Struggle Against U.S. Imperialism,” observed annually on Jun. 25. The regime observes the period from Jun. 25, when the Korean War started in 1950, to Jul. 27, the date of the Korean War armistice, as “Anti-U.S. Joint Struggle Month.” North Korea paused such rallies during U.S.-North Korea talks between 2018 and 2021 but resumed them in 2022 after its leader Kim Jong-un shifted his foreign policy stance. According to KCNA, as part of the events, participants viewed videos and exhibitions criticizing the U.S. for its role in the Korean War. The regime also encouraged its residents to visit historical sites linked to the U.S. during the Korean War. KCNA said that around 100,000 people including soldiers have visited a museum in South Hwanghae Province this year, which the North claims was the site of a U.S.-led massacre during the war. This year’s rallies come as U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly showed interest in resuming talks with Pyongyang recently, raising questions about whether the North will change its diplomatic stance toward the U.S. 2025-06-25 13:00:12

INTERVIEW: How Kazakhstan's Korean Cultural Center fosters bilateral relations SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - In the central Eurasian steppe, there is a place that has been at the forefront of promoting Korean culture and heritage for over 15 years. Located in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) there has played a pivotal role in introducing Korean culture across Central Asia since 2010. As the region's first and only such center, it has provided locals with a wide range of programs that raise awareness of the northeastern Asian country, from language classes to cultural activities featuring music, food, and more. In an interview with AJP earlier this month, Koo Bon-chul, the center's chief, said, "South Korea and Kazakhstan have maintained a close relationship since diplomatic ties were first established in 1992. The center has further boosted exchanges and cooperation between the two countries." Among many programs the center offers, the most prominent are those related to "Koryoin," also known as "Kareiski," which refers to ethnic Koreans in former Soviet Union territories who were forcibly deported in 1937 to Central Asia, primarily Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Currently, around 500,000 ethnic Koreans live across Central Asia, with approximately 120,000 residing in Kazakhstan. The center organizes film festivals, art exhibitions, and traditional performances for both Koryoin and local communities, in collaboration with cities such as Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent, where ethnic Koreans have settled. "Many Kazakh people have told me they became interested in Korean culture because their neighbors are ethnic Koreans," Koo said. "This shows that ethnic Koreans have played a key role in promoting Korean culture within Kazakh society. For this reason, we want to continue supporting them, serving as a bridge between the two countries." Koo particularly stressed ethnic Koreans' endurance and diligence in overcoming the hardships of forced deportation, which enabled them to disperse and settle in the uninhabited, barren areas of Central Asia, thereby shaping their distinct historical and cultural identity. "What I really admire is that, even after all these many years, ethnic Koreans have never forgotten their roots," Koo said. "They preserve traditional Korean culture and heritage in their daily lives, passing them down through generations. For example, they publish newspapers in Korean and run a theater showcasing Korean music, dance, and plays," he said. "It is important for the center to support and recognize their efforts." "Ethnic Koreans have firmly established themselves as proud members of Kazakh society, with numerous individuals achieving prominence and notable success," Koo added. "Their presence is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties between South Korea and Kazakhstan." 2025-06-24 17:40:14