Trump open to Kim talks "without preconditions" as North Korea intensifies outreach SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - The White House said on September 30 that U.S. President Donald Trump remains open to talking with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "without any preconditions," a move that has fueled speculation about renewed summitry when Trump travels to South Korea later this month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Responding to a question about whether Trump might seek a meeting with Kim during his visit to the southeastern city of Gye October 1, 2025

North Korean leader sends congratulatory message to Xi on China's founding anniversary SEOUL, October 1 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 76th anniversary of China's founding, reaffirming his commitment to enhancing strategic communication and cooperation between the two countries. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim said Pyongyang remains "steadfast" in its relations with Beijing, seeking to "steadily develop the traditional..... friendship n October 1, 2025

N. Korea returns to UN podium, building up diplomatic portfolio SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - North Korea has returned to the United Nations for the first time in seven years, suggesting renewed confidence after the powerful display of its leader standing alongside the heads of China and Russia earlier this month. Taking the podium at the UN General Assembly on Monday, North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong openly defied UN resolutions, reiterating that Pyongyang would "never give up nuclear weapons under any circumstances.&q September 30, 2025

Xi's appearance at N. Korea's military parade quietly speculated after foreign ministers' meeting SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - Speculation is cautiously building up over the possibility of Chinese President Xi Jinping making a ceremonial appearance at a military parade in Pyongyang next month, timed with the 80th anniversary of North Korea's Workers' Party. Such a trip would be seen as a reciprocal gesture after Kim Jong-un's train journey to Beijing earlier this month to attend China's "Victory Day" military extravaganza, as foreign ministers from the tw September 29, 2025

North Korea sends high-ranking delegation to UN for first time in seven years SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - North Korea's high-ranking official has left Pyongyang to attend the ongoing session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported on Friday. Along with his entourage, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong arrived in Beijing on an Air Koryo flight the previous day, en route to New York, becoming North Korea’s first high-level official to attend the annual UN gathering in sev September 26, 2025

North Korea now 'has 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium' SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) - North Korea is believed to possess up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium (HEU), which could be used to produce nuclear weapons, Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young said on Thursday. "Estimates suggest that North Korea's HEU stockpiles are around 2,000 kg," he said during a press conference in Seoul, citing assessments from experts. If accurate, this would be enough for roughly 100 nuclear weapons, as 20 to 25 kg of uranium is suf September 25, 2025

How Lee's new North Korea initiative differs from previous approaches SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung outlined a new phased approach to North Korea's denuclearization during a keynote speech at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Dubbed the "END" initiative, it reflects his vision for easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula through exchange, normalization, and denuclearization. "We must end the era of hostility and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula," said Lee, stressin September 24, 2025

Can upcoming APEC summit offer breakthrough in inter-Korean relations with Xi and Trump in attendance? Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrive at a state reception in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of China's "Victory Day." TASS-Yonhap SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - With Chinese President Xi Jinping set to visit South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit late next month, experts are speculating on a possible breakthrough in inter-Korean relations. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung' September 23, 2025

Kim Jong-un reaffirms closer ties with Xi Jinping in message through domestic newspaper SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, sending a reply letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping that was published on the front page of Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday. The letter was written in response to Xi’s earlier congratulatory message marking the 77th anniversary of North Korea’s founding. In the official English version of the message, provided by the Korean Central New September 23, 2025

Seoul ready to play the mediator, but uninvited by NK and US SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung offers to act as a mediator between the United States and North Korea in hopes to relive the historic scene of the leaders of two Koreas and U.S. standing side by side on Korean soil during the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju. In an interview with the BBC released Monday, Lee said he would accept a deal between Washington and Pyongyang under which North Korea freezes its nuclear weapons program, calling it a " September 22, 2025