USFK chief warns against rushing wartime control transfer SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Gen. Xavier Brunson, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), on Friday stressed the importance of meeting conditions for the transfer of wartime operational control to Seoul from Washington rather than rushing to it. Speaking at an online seminar hosted by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation and the Korea Defense Veterans Association, Brunson said, "We cannot say we're going to slide away from the conditions just so that we can get this done in time." He further explained, "The conditions were written for a reason, but we also have to make sure that those conditions are contemporary conditions because things change," adding "We got to start having these conversations now before we get into conflict." His comments came after President Lee Jae Myung earlier expressed his wish to bring back wartime operational control from the U.S. by the end of his five-year term. Brunson also emphasized that regular exercises between the allies are "absolutely" necessary to maintain security and peace on the Korean Peninsula, opposing ideas raised by some to adjust joint drills to engage with North Korea. "Russian-collaboration is real. It is not a quid pro quo relationship. It is real," he pointed out. "Whenever someone talks about, I don't care who it is, talks about exercising less or exercising differently, and they need to understand that there are two times in a year where we absolutely need some support." He also reaffirmed that the U.S. troop presence in South Korea will remain at the current 28,500, dismissing speculation by some about a possible reduction or withdrawal. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-12 16:14:40

Eight out of 10 South Koreans prefer current state over unification with NK SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Nearly eight out of 10 South Koreans prefer sharing the border with North Korea peacefully over a unified Korea, a latest survey showed. According to a survey released Thursday by the Ministry of Unification, 79.4 percent of respondents said that peaceful coexistence without war outweighs the goal of unification. Among them, 37.1 percent strongly agreed and 42.2 percent somewhat agreed. Support was also high for acknowledging the two Koreas as separate states coexisting peacefully, with 69.9 percent backing the idea — including 22.5 percent strongly in favor and 47.3 percent somewhat in favor. Perceptions of North Korea were mixed as 64.6 percent agreed to the regard of North Korea as a separate state, while others disagreed, with 42.6 percent consider the country as a partner for cooperation, 23.8 percent as a threat, 22.6 percent as an adversary, and 8.4 percent as a recipient of aid. Still a combined 62 percent of respondents called unification necessary, with 32 percent saying it is very necessary and 30 percent saying it is somewhat necessary. Public awareness of North Korea’s recently promoted “hostile two-state theory” was high: 80 percent said they were familiar with the concept, and 77.8 percent viewed it negatively. The survey was conducted by Gallup Korea from Dec. 2 to 8, interviewing 1,005 adults aged 18 and older nationwide by phone. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-11 14:52:42

North Korean leader makes 'important conclusion' ahead of party congress SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made an "important conclusion" at this week's plenary meeting, state media reported on Thursday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim "made an important conclusion on the agenda items” that were "discussed at the first-day sitting of the plenary meeting," which began earlier this week in preparation for the Workers' Party's key congress scheduled for early next year. But KCNA did not specify what that would mean. Kim also "reviewed the major successes achieved" this year, while assessing budgets and plans for next year, at the year-end meeting, which is often held over several days in mid-December to prepare for the Workers' Party's key congress in the coming year. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-11 13:47:23

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 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 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 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 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 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 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