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  N. Korea deploys about 120 waste balloons SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Since Sunday, North Korea has sent approximately 120 waste balloons towards the South, with around 40 landing in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday. The JCS confirmed that roughly 40 of these balloons were identified in Seoul and its surrounding areas. "The contents of the balloons included household waste such as paper, plastic, and vinyl, with no harmful substances detected," the September 16, 2024
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  North Korea discloses uranium enrichment facility SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a facility for producing weapons-grade nuclear materials including enriched uranium, Pyongyang's state-run Rodong Sinmun reported on Friday. During his "on-site guidance," Kim called for producing more nuclear weapons for "self-defense." Emphasizing the need to expand the number of centrifuges and their individual capacity, Kim expressed his great satisfaction with the facility. "Ju September 13, 2024
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  North Korea fires ballistic missiles into East Sea SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea on Thursday, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The launch occurred just two days after Seoul hosted a defense ministerial meeting with member states of the United Nations Command (UNC) to discuss strengthening security cooperation in response to North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats. The JCS analyzed that the missiles were fi September 12, 2024
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  North Korean leader vows to boost nuclear capabilities SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to enhance the country’s nuclear capabilities to counter rival nations, including the United States, and to ensure that its nuclear forces are always combat-ready, the Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday. Kim made the remarks during a meeting with military officials at a celebration marking North Korea’s founding day on Monday. Stressing the importance of power for national security, Kim said: September 10, 2024
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  N. Korean balloon detonator suspected of starting warehouse fire near Seoul SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - Fire authorities suspect that a timed detonator from a North Korean balloon, designed to disperse waste through a small explosion, may have ignited a warehouse fire in Paju, northwest of Seoul, on Sunday. Since May, North Korea has launched balloons filled with wastepaper, garbage, and human feces into South Korea in retaliation against South Korean activist groups, mainly defectors, who send propaganda leaflets to the North. These balloons have land September 9, 2024
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  North Korea launches trash-filled balloons toward South for 5th consecutive day SEOUL, Sept. 8 (AJP) -- North Korea launched trash-filled balloons across the border for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, South Korea's military said. The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea began releasing the balloons around 9 a.m. "We will respond resolutely and calmly according to our response manual, with the utmost priority on public safety," the JCS said. It marks the 17th such incident since May 28, when the North began the launches in ret September 8, 2024
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  Unification Ministry to boost North Koreans' exposure to outside world through radio broadcasts SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - The Unification Ministry here said Friday that it plans to support civic groups' efforts to increase North Koreans' access to outside information, particularly through radio broadcasts. The move follows President Yoon Suk Yeol's vision for reunification between the two Koreas, which he outlined during his Liberation Day speech earlier this month. Yoon’s vision emphasizes expanding North Koreans' exposure to international information August 30, 2024
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  Russia deepens ties with North Korea as trade officials arrive for talks SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - Russian officials arrived in North Korea for talks, the isolated country's state media reported on Wednesday. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a Russian delegation led by Roman Chekushov, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, met with North Korean Premier Kim Tok-hun and other officials to discuss expanding economic cooperation. Their meeting is the latest development in the rapidly strengthening military and economic ties between th August 28, 2024
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  Kim Jong-un inspects test of new drones amid ongoing South Korea-US joint drill SEOUL, August 26 (AJU PRESS) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watched a test of new drones and vowed to develop more such weapons to boost the isolated country's war readiness, state media reported Monday. "It is necessary to develop and produce more suicide drones of various types to be used in tactical infantry and special operation units, as well as strategic reconnaissance and multi-purpose attack drones," Kim was quoted as saying by Pyongyang's state-run Kore August 26, 2024
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  N. Korean soldier defects across border to South SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea by crossing the border in Goseong, Gangwon Province, military authorities here said on Tuesday. The soldier, identified as a sergeant, was monitored as he moved south from the military demarcation line (MDL) in the eastern frontline within the operational area of the 22nd Infantry Division. The defector has been handed over to relevant authorities for investigation and apparently expressed his intention August 20, 2024