news highlight

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  U.S. court seizes crypto linked to North Korean IT workers SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - A U.S. federal judge has ordered the forfeiture of cryptocurrency tied to a North Korean overseas IT worker scheme, granting the Justice Department a partial victory in its effort to seize nearly 8 million dollars in virtual assets allegedly linked to Pyongyang’s sanctions-evasion network, according to NK News. The ruling comes as U.S. authorities intensify efforts to disrupt North Korea’s overseas IT workforce, which Washington says numbers September 8, 2026
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  North Korea's new destroyer ready for combat SEOUL, September 7 (AJP) - North Korea has put its new 5,000-ton warship into service in the East Sea, state media reported on Monday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, a commissioning ceremony for the Kang Kon was held at the eastern port city of Wonsan on Sunday, with its leader Kim Jong-un in attendance along with his daughter Ju-ae. The newly-commissioned destroyer is part of a nuclear response system capable of launching "an annihilating ret September 7, 2026
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  Revised party rules tighten North Korean leader's grip on power, think tank says SEOUL, September 3 (AJP) - North Korea has revised the rules governing its ruling Workers' Party to solidify leader Kim Jong-un's power and streamline decision-making structures for wartime and other similar emergencies, according to an analysis revealed by South Korea's Institute for National Security Strategy at a press briefing in Seoul on Thursday. The institute said the revisions, adopted at the party's ninth congress in February, further strengthened Kim& September 3, 2026
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  Daughter seen as North Korea's Kim successor, spy agency SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter Ju-ae appears to be moving closer to formally becoming his successor, South Korea's spy agency said Tuesday, citing her increasing frequency and prominence in state media. During a closed-door briefing to the National Assembly's intelligence committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) offered the assessment amid growing speculation over North Korea's succession plans, fueled by Ju-ae's i September 1, 2026
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  Seoul spy agency says Trump-Kim summit possible at any time SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s intelligence agency said Tuesday that a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could take place at any time, pointing to signs that the two sides may be moving toward renewed dialogue. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment during a closed-door meeting of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, according to lawmakers Yoon Kun-young of the ruling Democratic Party and Yoo September 1, 2026
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  White House explores steps for possible Trump-Kim deal SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - The White House has asked the U.S. agency responsible for recovering missing service members to outline steps it could take in preparation for possible talks with North Korea. Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), said Monday that his agency had been asked to outline what could realistically be done in the event of an agreement between Trump and Kim. McKeague made the remarks during a virtual discussion hosted by the September 1, 2026
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  U.S. reaffirms commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - The Trump administration has reaffirmed that the United States remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, clarifying its policy after President Donald Trump recently declined to say whether denuclearization remained his goal in seeking renewed talks with Pyongyang. “The United States remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea,” a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday in response to a question August 27, 2026
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  North Korea deploys drone operators among 8,500 troops in Russia, Ukraine says SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - North Korea has deployed about 8,500 troops to Russia, including hundreds of drone operators who could conduct reconnaissance and strikes against targets inside Ukraine, according to a senior Ukrainian intelligence official. Maj. Gen. Vadym Skibitskiy, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, told CNN that the North Korean contingent is deployed mainly in Russia's Kursk region and includes about 1,000 engineers and demining personnel as August 22, 2026
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  North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles as US-South Korea exercise winds down SEOUL, August 20 (AJP) - North Korea fired a dozen ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, as the annual U.S.-South Korea military exercise neared an early end following U.S. President Donald Trump's order to scale it back, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up a two-day visit to Seoul. The Joint Chiefs of Staff here said it detected about 10 short-range ballistic missiles launched at around 5 p.m. and that military authorities were analyzing their types, August 20, 2026