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North Korea's nuclear spending rises as global focus on denuclearization fades SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - North Korea spent an estimated $656 million on its nuclear weapons program last year, according to a new report that underscores Pyongyang's steady advance toward a larger nuclear arsenal as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with intensifying great-power rivalry, push denuclearization further down the global agenda. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN, said in its latest report that the world's nine nuclear-armed sta June 10, 2026

North Korean state media highlights Xi's visit with extensive front-page coverage SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - North Korean state media gave extensive coverage to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang earlier this week, highlighting close ties between the two traditional allies. In its Wednesday edition, the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper devoted four of its six pages to Xi's two-day visit and his summit with leader Kim Jong-un. Along with more than 50 photos, it carried detailed accounts of Xi's itinerary in Pyongyang, from his arrival on June 10, 2026
North Korea returns to international headlines amid renewed China-Russia rivalry SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - North Korea's young ruler Kim Jong-un, who once dominated international headlines through his unprecedented courtship with U.S. President Donald Trump during the latter's first term, is back on front pages – this time under the arms of the elder strongmen of a resurgent authoritarian axis. During his latest visit to Pyongyang — his first in seven years — Chinese President Xi Jinping called for expanded exchanges with North Korea in June 9, 2026
Chinese state media provide lavish coverage of Xi's trip to Pyongyang SEOUL, June 9 (AJP) - Chinese state media on Tuesday gave extensive coverage to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea, as he began his first trip to the reclusive country in about seven years the previous day. Highlighting a friendly atmosphere between the two traditional allies, China's state-run People's Daily devoted its front pages to stories on Xi's trip, packed with images of Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un smiling, shaking hands at their June 9, 2026
Chinese president drops denuclearization from North Korea summit agenda SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping completely excluded references to denuclearization and the Korean Peninsula during his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Monday. The omission marks a fundamental realignment in how Beijing treats its neighbor, pivoting from managing regional security to utilizing the country as an active strategic asset against South Korea and its allies. This strategic shift dismantles the long-standing framework for p June 9, 2026
Experts urge 'peaceful coexistence' strategy at timely forum as Xi visits Pyongyang SEOUL, June 8 (AJP) - "South Korea should become a country that designs the agenda and conditions that force North Korea and the United States to meet again, rather than a country waiting for a North Korea-U.S. summit." A forum hosted by a South Korean parliamentary research group, which coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang on Monday, called for Seoul to pursue a strategy of "peaceful coexistence" with North Korea amid the June 8, 2026
North Korean leader's sister rules out denuclearization as Xi prepares to visit Pyongyang SEOUL, June 7 (AJP) - Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, reiterated that North Korea would never give up its nuclear weapons, state media reported on Sunday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, she said in a statement the previous day that North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed state is "irreversible," regardless of whether others recognize it, and vowed that the country would "never tolerate any threat to or co June 7, 2026
Kim Jong-un inspects sea trial of destroyer ahead of Xi visit SEOUL, June 06 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a sea trial of the Kang Kon, a new 5,000-ton destroyer that was once damaged during a ceremony, and called for strengthening naval forces as part of the country’s nuclear war deterrent, state media reported Saturday. The Korean Central News Agency said Kim visited the destroyer on Thursday as it began operational tests and observed its navigation test. Photos released by North Korean state media showed Kim accomp June 6, 2026
Xi to visit North Korea for summit next week SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea next week for a summit with the reclusive country's leader Kim Jong-un, state media in both countries reported on Friday. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Xi will pay a state visit to North Korea from June 8 to 9 at Kim's invitation. China's International Department of the Communist Party also confirmed the visit, saying Xi would travel to North Korea at the request o June 5, 2026
North Korea snubs Quad's call for denuclearization SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - North Korea said Thursday it will "never give up its nuclear weapons," denouncing a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. earlier this week that called for the North's complete denuclearization. In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, a spokesperson for the country's Foreign Ministry said the denuclearization of North Korea will "never happen." North Ko May 28, 2026