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송윤서
  • North Korea gears up for party congress
    North Korea gears up for party congress SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - North Korea has convened a plenary meeting to prepare for the Workers' Party's upcoming key congress scheduled for early next year, state media reported on Wednesday. The state-run Korean Central News Agency said the plenary meeting, presided over by the country's leader Kim Jong-un, was held the previous day to discuss key policies and other issues. The year-end gathering, which usually takes place over several days in mid-December, reviews this year's achievements and sets the party's future plans for next year. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-10 10:35:41
  • North Korean leader sends condolence message on Russian ambassadors death
    North Korean leader sends condolence message on Russian ambassador's death SEOUL, December 9 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a condolence message to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the death of Moscow's ambassador to Pyongyang, state media reported on Tuesday. According to North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim said, "The sudden demise of the ambassador at the present time when the development of relations between the people who devoted his whole life" to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries over the decades. Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui also sent a condolence message to her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, praising Matsegora as a "veteran diplomat of versatile talents." Russia's Foreign Ministry earlier said that Matsegora had died last Saturday at the age of 70, though the cause of his death has not been disclosed. Having started his career at the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang in 1999, he was appointed ambassador in December 2014, playing a key role in strengthening ties between the two traditional allies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-09 14:46:54
  • North Korea stresses strong ties in commemorative letter to Laos on 50th anniversary
    North Korea stresses strong ties in commemorative letter to Laos on 50th anniversary SEOUL, December 2 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory letter to Laos on the 50th anniversary of its national founding, emphasizing the longstanding ties between the two countries. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim expressed confidence in the continued development of friendly cooperation between the two countries in his letter to Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith. A floral tribute was also delivered through the North Korean ambassador to Laos. In October, Sisoulith visited North Korea for the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party, where he held talks with Kim. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and expressed optimism about the future of their traditional friendship. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui also held follow-up talks with her Lao counterpart Thongsavanh Phomvihane to discuss areas of mutual support. While maintaining ties with its traditional allies like China and Russia, North Korea has been expanding its diplomatic relations with other socialist countries such as Laos and Viet Nam. Analysts believe the move aims to reduce diplomatic isolation and challenge international sanctions over its nuclear weapons programs in pursuit of recognition as a nuclear-armed state. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-02 14:33:26
  • South Korean man found dead in bag in Viet Nam
    South Korean man found dead in bag in Viet Nam SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - The body of a man believed to be South Korean was discovered inside a large bag in Viet Nam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday. According to the South Korean Consulate General there, the body was found inside a large blue bag near a residential area in Ho Chi Minh City the previous day. "We are in close communication with local authorities and will provide necessary consular support," said a ministry official, declining to give further details, citing that "the relevant investigation is ongoing." Local police identified the body as South Korean and cordoned off the area. Two South Korean suspects, who reportedly fled the scene by taxi as bystanders gathered, are being questioned after their arrest. Police are working to determine the time and cause of death as the body was found in a state of decomposition. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-24 15:17:56
  • North Korean leader makes rare visits to security and judicial agencies
    North Korean leader makes rare visits to security and judicial agencies SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited several key security and judicial agencies, emphasizing their role in defending the regime, state media reported on Wednesday. According to the state-run on the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the state security organ," KCNA said. The department is a key agency responsible for eliminating threats to the regime. KCNA described it as a "strong fortress for defending the socialist system and the people." Welcomed with "loud cheers," Kim delivered a congratulatory message, praising the dedication of the security personnel and their achievements. It is rare for a North Korean leader to make such a public appearance there, since he made a similar visit in 2012. In separate visits later in the day, Kim also met with officials at the judicial and prosecution organs, instructing them to "further strengthen the socialist legal system," based on the country's "juche" or self-reliance ideology. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-19 10:11:32
  • North Korea condemns Seouls recent security deal with Washington as confrontational
    North Korea condemns Seoul's recent security deal with Washington as 'confrontational' SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - North Korea denounced a joint fact sheet released last week outlining trade and security agreements between Seoul and Washington, warning that it will take countermeasures against what it called a "confrontational stance," state media reported on Tuesday. In a lengthy commentary, the state-run possession of nuclear submarine, disregarding the danger of the global nuclear arms race to be incurred by the nuclear proliferation to a non-nuclear state, and gave green light for the enrichment of uranium and the reprocessing of nuclear waste fuel, thus laying a springboard for its development into the 'quasi-nuclear weapons state,'" it said. The "strategic move" is "bound to cause a 'nuclear domino phenomenon' in the region and spark a hot arms race," it added. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-18 09:31:58
  • North Korean, Laotian FMs meet in Pyongyang to strengthen ties
    North Korean, Laotian FMs meet in Pyongyang to strengthen ties SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - The foreign ministers of North Korea and Laos met in Pyongyang to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and her Laotian counterpart Thongsavanh Phomvihane pledged to implement agreements reached by their leaders in October to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries, according to KCNA. Their meeting, which was followed by a banquet dinner in a friendly atmosphere, appears to be a follow-up to last month's summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith in Pyongyang. North Korea has been expanding its diplomatic relations with traditional allies such as Laos and Viet Nam, while also strengthening ties with China and Russia. Laos has maintained close ties with North Korea since establishing diplomatic relations in June 1974. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-13 10:24:20
  • South Korea maintains support for UN resolution on North Korean human rights abuses
    South Korea maintains support for UN resolution on North Korean human rights abuses SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea will continue to support a UN General Assembly resolution condemning North Korea's human rights abuses and violations. According to the resolution disclosed on Wednesday, South Korea remains a co-sponsor, dispelling speculation that Seoul would soften its stance toward North Korea to avoid provoking Pyongyang under President Lee Jae Myung's rapprochement. After co-sponsoring the resolution from 2008 to 2018, South Korea withdrew under the Moon Jae-in administration due to concerns about inter-Korean relations, but rejoined in 2023 under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s tougher stance toward the North. "The government believes it is important to improve the human rights situation in North Korea and will continue to cooperate with the international community. This is why we are participating as a co-sponsor of this resolution," said a Foreign Ministry official. The resolution is expected to be adopted at the UN General Assembly's plenary session next month. This year's resolution condemns North Korea for diverting excessive resources to military spending and illegal nuclear and missile programs at the expense of its people. It also highlights the worsening human rights situation there including the plight of separated families, following North Korea's announcement in January 2024 that it would no longer pursue reunification with the South. North Korea has strongly opposed these resolutions. Last November, a spokesperson for its Foreign Ministry denounced the resolution as a "provocation" led by the U.S. and its allies, claiming it infringes on the country's dignity and sovereignty. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-12 15:46:54
  • South Korean FM to visit Cambodia to discuss measures against scam crimes
    South Korean FM to visit Cambodia to discuss measures against scam crimes SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will visit Cambodia to discuss measures to combat online scams involving South Koreans. He is scheduled to leave for Phnom Penh this weekend, spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in the ministry's regular press briefing on Thursday. During his three-day trip, Cho plans to meet with Cambodia's foreign and interior ministers to discuss cooperation in combating scam crimes while enhancing bilateral relations. He will also meet with South Koreans living there. Lee said, "Both countries are in discussions to launch a joint task force between their police agencies as early as possible, as agreed last month," adding that it will help address scam crimes in Cambodia involving South Koreans. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-06 17:20:33
  • North Korea denounces US sanctions, but remains cautious
    North Korea denounces US sanctions, but remains cautious SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - North Korea strongly denounced the latest sanctions imposed by the U.S., vowing to take responsive measures "with patience," state media reported on Thursday. "The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, quoting Kim Un-chol, the isolate country's vice-minister for U.S. Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, as saying. Washington again revealed its "wicked nature to be hostile toward the ," KCNA added, lamenting that it still clings to the "obsolete scenario of the failed past." The denouncement came after the U.S. Department of the Treasury earlier this week sanctioned eight North Korean individuals and two entities allegedly involved in cyber fraud and other illicit money-laundering schemes. The U.S. Department of State also said it will seek UN sanctions in the coming days on seven North Korean vessels suspected of illegally exporting coal and iron ore to China. But the North's relatively toned-down condemnation appears to reflect a cautious approach, as those sanctions came despite President Donald Trump's repeated overtures to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-06 10:20:49