Value of North Korean currency has dropped sharply in recent months: report

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - The value of North Korean currency has plummeted significantly in recent months, with the exchange rate against the U.S. dollar soaring to unprecedented levels, a Japanese newspaper reported Tuesday, citing sources involved in trade with North Korea. The Mainichi Shimbun reported that the exchange rate between the North Korean won and the U.S. dollar surged from around 8,000 won per dollar in April to a staggering 32,000 won per dollar in mid-November.

November 26, 2024

North Korea cuts power lines to shuttered industrial complex in Kaesong

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - North Korea has severed power lines and cables that once supplied electricity to the cross-border Kaesong Industrial Complex in the North Korean border city of Kaesong, military authorities here said on Tuesday. The South Korean military has detected North Korean soldiers dismantling part of power lines near the now-shuttered industrial complex since last weekend. These lines, part of a network built by South Korea, were connected to transmission towers

November 26, 2024

North Korea given missiles in return for troops, South Korean security adviser says

SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - Russia has supplied anti-aircraft missiles and air defense equipment to North Korea in return for its troop deployment to support Moscow's war in Ukraine, South Korea's top security adviser said on Friday. "Russia is believed to have provided Pyongyang with missiles and other equipment to bolster its air defense capabilities," said National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik during his appearance on an SBS TV program. Shin also speculated t

November 22, 2024

UN adopts resolution on North Korean human rights for 20th consecutive year

SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - The UN General Assembly unanimously passed its resolution condemning North Korea's human rights violations on Wednesday. The annual resolution, adopted for the 20th consecutive year, condemns North Korea for "continuing to divert its resources into pursuing its unlawful nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes over the welfare of its people." "This is just the latest in a line of resolutions presented every year for the past 2

November 21, 2024

North Korean troops in Russia engaged in battles, spy agency confirms 

SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - Part of North Korean troops deployed to Russia are believed to be engaged in battles under the command of Russia's airborne brigade or marine corps, South Korea's spy agency said on Wednesday. "Some 11,000 North Korean soldiers moved to Kursk in late October, after completing their training in northeastern Russa," lawmakers quoted an official from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) as saying in a closed-door meeting. Kursk is a Ru

November 20, 2024

North Korea vows to expand nuclear forces 'without limitation'

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stressed the importance of enhancing the country's military capabilities and strengthening war preparations, Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Monday. "We will strengthen our self-defense power, centered on nuclear forces, without limitation," KCNA reported quoting Kim as saying. In a two-day gathering of battalion commanders and other military leaders in Pyongyang last wee

November 18, 2024

Kim Jong-un calls for mass production of attack drones

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the mass production of attack drones, state media said on Friday. "The suicide attack drones to be used within different striking ranges are to perform a mission to precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and in the sea," the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. According to KCNA, Kim expressed satisfaction during his on-site inspection of a drone test the previo

November 15, 2024

North Korean troops engaging in combat against Ukraine forces, US confirms

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - North Korean troops in Russia have begun engaging in combat against the Ukraine forces, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday. "We are incredibly concerned by Russia's decision to turn to soldiers have been sent to eastern Russia, and most of them have

November 13, 2024

North Korea ratifies defense pact with Russia

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - North Korea has ratified a treaty that pledges mutual military support between Moscow and Pyongyang. The "treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership" signed by the isolated country's leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang in June was "ratified as a decree" by Kim, the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Tuesday. The defense pact, which vows to provide mutual military assistance i

November 12, 2024

Russia likely to offer nuclear support to North Korea for troop deployment, U.S. official says  

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - North Korea could receive technical assistance for its nuclear weapons program from Russia in exchange for providing troops to support the prolonged war in Ukraine, a U.S. security official said on Sunday. During an interview with the American network CBS, the White House's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that he does not know "for sure," speculating that Russian President Vladimir Putin "probably hasn't decided exactly

November 11, 2024