South Korea, US and Japan condemn North Korea's nuclear program at disarmament conference in Geneva SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - South Korea, the U.S., and Japan have condemned North Korea's nuclear weapons program at the annual UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva which wrapped up this week. The three countries warned in a joint statement on Wednesday that Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs are "in clear violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions." "It is deeply regrettable that position of nuclear deterrent is legitimate measures for self-defense to protect its sovereignty and the right to existence from the direct threat from the U.S. which has pursued extremely hostile policy for over 70 years," said Ju Yong-chol, counselor at North Korea's permeant mission to the UN in Geneva. But Washington did not participate the previous day in a joint statement by 39 countries condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 2025-02-27 14:25:46

Former PPP leader releases book for political comeback SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon released a new book on Wednesday, reflecting on his brief political career while hinting at his presidential ambitions. The prosecutor-turned-politician is set to embark on a nationwide tour to promote his book, with the first stop in Seoul scheduled for next Tuesday. It will be his first public appearance in about three months since stepping down as party leader, shortly after President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. The month-long tour will take him to major cities across the country including Busan, Gwangju, and Incheon. Han is expected to hold lectures and signing events, engaging in talks with the public, in an apparent move for his return to politics. In the book, Han reflected on the twists and turns of his brief political career, offering explanations for Yoon's botched martial law debacle. As Yoon's former close aide, he also expressed personal sympathy and regret toward the now-estranged president, who is facing the peril of impeachment at the Constitutional Court of Korea. He was also adamant in criticizing Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, calling him "the most dangerous figure in South Korea," while accusing him that he would "possibly resort to extreme measures" if he wanted to retain his power. The currently strongest presidential candidate has been embroiled in a series of legal battles that could threaten his political future. Since hitting shelves at local bookstores, his book has already topped bestseller lists, a testament to his enduring popularity with a horde of die-hard supporters. However, it remains to be seen whether it will kindle renewed spotlight for Han, who currently has only a small fraction of support within the PPP. Meanwhile, other presidential candidates are also making their moves. Among them are Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the centrist New Reform Party, who recently hinted at his presidential bid while releasing a indie biographical film chronicling his political career, and Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who has already announced that he will resign from his post if a snap presidential election takes place, should Yoon' impeachment be upheld. 2025-02-26 16:49:05

Nominee for Pentagon deputy secretary call for enhanced missile defense to counter North Korean threat SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - Stephen Feinberg, a nominee for U.S. deputy secretary of defense, stressed the need to counter North Korea's growing nuclear arsenal, which poses a "clear threat to stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific region, and across the globe." In a written response submitted to the Senate Committee on Armed Services for his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Feinberg said, North Korea "remains intensely focused on expanding its illicit nuclear weapons program and improving its ballistic and cruise missile programs, while expanding its malign cyber activities." He further emphasized that North Korea's nuclear capabilities "pose a particular threat to the safety and security of U.S. allies that host U.S forces in the region," underscoring the importance of strengthening their defense posture. When asked about measures to address such a threat, he prioritized "improving missile defense systems," particularly for the U.S. mainland. Expressing worries about North Korea's military ties with Russia, he said North Korea's "recent deployment of combat forces to Russia is also of concern." He also pointed out, "China, Russia, Iran, and North Korean cooperation in Ukraine, and in other regions of the world, suggest a common interest in weakening U.S. influence and alliances globally." His appointment remains uncertain as the billionaire investor with extensive business ties in the defense and military sectors, has come under scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest. But he defended his background, explaining that his expertise in business management would enable him to tackle inefficiencies at the Pentagon. 2025-02-26 14:17:39

Yoon makes lengthy final statement as impeachment trial concludes SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea on Tuesday held the final hearing in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial, wrapping up weeks of arguments over his botched martial law debacle last December. The session, which began at 2 p.m., included closing statements from both sides. Lawmakers leading the case accused Yoon of ordering military forces "to block lawmakers from entering the National Assembly and arrest them," presenting an alleged memo from a special forces unit as evidence. Yoon's legal representatives denied the accusations, arguing that the declaration was "necessary." Later in the day, Yoon appeared to deliver his final statement before the court, spending most of his time defending his decision to declare martial law, which eventually led to an impeachment trial that could remove him from office. In a lengthy hour-long address filled with a mix of regret and defiance, Yoon described the period of over 80 days since his Dec. 3 martial law declaration as "the hardest days" of his life. Reflecting on fierce opposition and criticism over the political turmoil caused by the declaration, he said he was "sorry and thankful" to the public, while expressing deep regret for being unable to carry out his duties as president. He reiterated, "The decision I made was not for personal gain. The easier path would have been to simply compromise," insisting the his martial law declaration was "not a crime but a legitimate exercise of presidential authority" made out of "desperation to prevent a national crisis." But Yoon spared no words in his criticism of the main opposition Democratic Party, accusing it of abusing its majority in the 300-seat National Assembly. "If the National Assembly's powers are misused for politically-motivated purposes, it would constitute a constitutional violation," he argued. He also criticized the DP of paralyzing government functions through "a series of excessive attempts to impeach key officials, abuse of legislative power and budget obstruction." Yoon then strongly rejected accusations from opposition parties, who labeled it an attempted coup, and questioned, "Can there be a rebellion that lasts only two hours?" He also pointed out the DP's continuous attempts to undermine his presidency, claiming that it engaged in a plot to remove a democratically-elected president. "The opposition's actions threaten to destroy our democratic system and the constitutional order," he said. Yoon also hinted at pursuing a constitutional amendment if he is reinstated to office, with the prime minister taking on key domestic responsibilities. There has been a persistent call to move away from the country's current single five-year presidential term and adopt some elements of a parliamentary cabinet system that ensures a more balanced distribution of power. "If I return to office, I will dedicate the latter half of my term to constitutional and political reforms," he said, adding that he will "not be fixated on the remainder of his term." As Yoon's last hearing concludes, the court will now begin its deliberations to decide whether to impeach or reinstate the president in the coming weeks, with a final verdict expected to be delivered by mid-March. A decision to uphold the impeachment would require at least six of the current eight justices to vote in favor, which would result in Yoon's immediate ouster from office. Should the impeachment be upheld, Yoon would be ousted from office, leading to a snap presidential election within 60 days. 2025-02-25 18:04:55

UK imposes over 100 new sanctions on Russia and North Korea SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - The U.K. on Monday imposed over 100 new sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Russia and North Korea, targeting their roles in Moscow's war in Ukraine. It said that the sanctions focus on "funds going into Putin's war chest and propping up Russia's kleptocratic system," adding that they "will also target Russia's military machine, entities in third countries who support it and the fragile supply networks that it relies on." Several North Koreans were among those targeted including North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol. It said, "Other North Korean generals and senior officials complicit in deploying over 11,000 forces to Russia," stressing that the North "has suffered over 4,000 casualties." The U.K. also sanctioned about a dozen key figures accused of profiting from the war, as well as companies involved in Russia's military sector and manufacturers and suppliers of electronic components, including microprocessors, essential to Russian weapons systems. On the same day, the European Union officially approved its 16th sanctions package against Russia, marking three years since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The new measures target Russia’s oil tankers, banks, aluminum imports, and other key sectors, aiming to tighten economic pressure on Moscow. The country's Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the sanctions as "the largest in almost 3 years," reaffirming the country's commitment to Kyiv. "Lasting peace will only be achieved through strength," Lammy said. "That is why we are focused on putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position." 2025-02-25 16:39:10

4 dead, 6 injured as bridge collapses at construction site in Anseong SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - A bridge at a construction site in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, collapsed on Tuesday, leaving four workers dead and six others injured, according to government authorities. The incident occurred at around 9:50 a.m. when a steel reinforcement structure fell from a bridge under construction on a highway between Anseong and Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, connecting Seoul to the administrative city of Sejong. Ten workers who were working at the time fell and got trapped. Among them were three Chinese, with two killed and one seriously injured. Nearly 200 firefighters and police officers were immediately deployed to the scene to search and rescue the workers trapped underneath the bridge. Builder Hyundai Engineering apologized for the incident. "We are working closely with relevant authorities to ensure a swift recovery and conduct a thorough investigation into the exact cause," it said in a statement. 2025-02-25 11:04:42

Ukraine alleges North Korea supplying ammunition to Russia SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Ukraine has accused North Korea of supplying a significant portion of the ammunition used by Russian forces on the front lines of the ongoing war. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said Sunday at a press conference in Kyiv that “50 percent of the ammunition” used by Russian forces on the front lines comes from North Korea. He further explained that Pyongyang is also providing the Kremlin with large quantities of 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 240mm multiple rocket launch systems. The press conference took place just before the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, during which top Ukrainian officials provided updates on military operations and ongoing international partnerships. Regarding ceasefire negotiations led by U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, said that independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty are non-negotiable for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the United States is reportedly seeking a stake in Ukraine’s rare earth mineral development as part of ongoing military aid discussions. In return, Ukraine has emphasized the need for firm security guarantees. On the eve of the war’s third anniversary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of escalating hostilities as Russia launched an unprecedented drone assault. "Every day, our people stand against aerial terror. On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote on social media. "The largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages." 2025-02-24 16:55:27

North Korea warns of 'resolute' response to South Korea-led sanctions monitoring body SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - North Korea on Monday vowed to take “resolute” measures against the newly formed South Korean-led body established to oversee U.N. sanctions targeting its nuclear and missile activities. The North’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement through its state-run news media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), following the group’s commencement of official activities. The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) was created in October last year by South Korea and 10 other countries, including the U.S., Japan, and Australia, after a U.N. sanctions monitoring panel was dismantled following Russia’s veto. The team held its first operational meeting in Washington, D.C. last Wednesday. In a strongly worded statement, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized the sanctions monitoring body led by South Korea, known as the MSMT. The spokesperson issued a stern warning, stating that the actions of hostile forces attempting to block North Korea from exercising its legitimate rights could lead to serious consequences that would be difficult for the perpetrators to handle. The spokesperson emphasized that the U.S.'s reliance on sanctions would only create problems for them. The statement further clarified that while the North does not seek the removal of sanctions, it will not tolerate any actions by the U.S. and its allies that infringe upon the country's sovereignty under the pretext of enforcing sanctions. MSMT mandate is to investigate the North’s sanctions violations and evasion efforts and to publish reports supporting U.N. Security Council resolutions. The North’s hard-line stance seemingly signals that its response to international sanctions-related moves is unlikely to shift toward negotiation, potentially heightening tensions between Washington and Pyongyang. 2025-02-24 16:04:32

Speed skater Lee Seung-hoon wins first World Cup gold in seven years SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korean speed skater Lee Seung-hoon won his first ISU World Cup gold medal in seven years, triumphing in the men’s mass start race on Monday in Poland. Competing in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, the 36-year-old finished the race in 7 minutes, 48.05 seconds, edging out Bart Hoolwerf of the Netherlands (7:48.50) and Andrea Giovannini of Italy (7:48.56). This is Lee’s first World Cup gold medal since December 2017, when he last won a race in Salt Lake City during the 2017-18 season. Lee is a four-time Olympian who has won two Olympic gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze throughout his career. He won gold in the mass start debut at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and followed with a bronze in Beijing 2022. Earlier this year, he added to his achievements by helping South Korea win silver in the men’s team pursuit at the 2025 Winter Asian Games in Harbin, making him the most decorated South Korean athlete in Winter Asiad history with nine medals. Meanwhile, Japan’s Sasaki, who competed for the lead against Lee Seung-hoon, was born in February 2006, making him 17 years younger than Lee. 2025-02-24 13:38:15

North Korea remains on FATF blacklist for 15th consecutive year SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) - North Korea has been re-listed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist for the 15th year in a row, maintaining its status as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF said Friday that North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar remain on its list of “high-risk jurisdictions,” the highest warning level designated by the organization. "The FATF remains concerned by the DPRK's continued failure to address the significant deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism regime and the serious threats posed by the DPRK 's illicit activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and its financing," the organization said on its website, referring to North Korea by its formal name. The organization further underscored the risks associated with these jurisdictions, saying, “High-risk jurisdictions have significant strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and financing of proliferation.” It added, “For all countries identified as high-risk, the FATF calls on all members and urges all jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence, and, in the most serious cases, countries are called upon to apply countermeasures to protect the international financial system from the money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing (ML/TF/PF) risks emanating from the country.” The FATF, established in 1989 under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), is tasked with safeguarding the global financial system by combating illicit financial activities, including money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. North Korea has repeatedly rejected its designation as a high-risk country. When the FATF relisted it in 2022, Pyongyang denounced the move as an "unjust measure." However, the FATF reiterated its commitment to monitoring North Korea’s financial activities. It urged global financial institutions and governments to tighten scrutiny, sever banking ties with North Korean entities, and strengthen financial sanctions. 2025-02-22 16:54:13