North Korea

  • North Korean leader sends condolence message on Russian ambassadors death
    North Korean leader sends condolence message on Russian ambassador's death SEOUL, December 9 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a condolence message to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the death of Moscow's ambassador to Pyongyang, state media reported on Tuesday. According to North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim said, "The sudden demise of the ambassador at the present time when the development of relations between the and Russia have entered a crucial historic phase is indeed a heartrending eve December 9, 2025
  • As U.S. and China drop denuclearization language, Seoul downplays shift
    As U.S. and China drop denuclearization language, Seoul downplays shift SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - The United States and China have both subtly or explicitly backed away from the long-held principle of "complete denuclearization" of North Korea, yet Seoul appears largely unconcerned — a stance that is raising alarms among security watchers. Analysts say the shift is not abrupt but rather an unmistakable acknowledgment of a transformed strategic landscape. North Korea is now a constitutionally protected nuclear-armed state; the Unite December 8, 2025
  • North Korea stresses strong ties in commemorative letter to Laos on 50th anniversary
    North Korea stresses strong ties in commemorative letter to Laos on 50th anniversary SEOUL, December 2 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory letter to Laos on the 50th anniversary of its national founding, emphasizing the longstanding ties between the two countries. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim expressed confidence in the continued development of friendly cooperation between the two countries in his letter to Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith. A floral tribute was also delivered through the North Korean December 2, 2025
  • North Korea could expand nuclear stockpile to over 400 warheads by 2040, expert warns
    North Korea could expand nuclear stockpile to over 400 warheads by 2040, expert warns SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - North Korea is estimated to currently possess up to 150 nuclear warheads, with the potential to expand to over 400 by 2040 if its production capabilities increase, an expert said at a forum in Seoul on Wednesday. Lee Sang-kyu, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), pointed out that the ongoing expansion of nuclear plants and other facilities under the oversight of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will significantly acceler November 26, 2025
  • North Korean leader attends ceremony for new hydropower plant
    North Korean leader attends ceremony for new hydropower plant SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended a ceremony marking the completion of a hydropower plant in Kangwon Province, state media reported on Friday. According to the state-run Rodong Sinmun, Kim visited the plant the previous day, the sixth to be built in the region amid the country's chronic electricity shortage. In his speech, Kim described the plant's completion as a significant achievement, praising the collaboration between the militar November 21, 2025
  • North Korean leader makes rare visits to security and judicial agencies
    North Korean leader makes rare visits to security and judicial agencies SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited several key security and judicial agencies, emphasizing their role in defending the regime, state media reported on Wednesday. According to the state-run on the occasion of the November 19, 2025
  • North Korea condemns Seouls recent security deal with Washington as confrontational
    North Korea condemns Seoul's recent security deal with Washington as 'confrontational' SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - North Korea denounced a joint fact sheet released last week outlining trade and security agreements between Seoul and Washington, warning that it will take countermeasures against what it called a "confrontational stance," state media reported on Tuesday. In a lengthy commentary, the state-run to rem November 18, 2025
  • South Korea proposes military talks with North to set clear demarcation line
    South Korea proposes military talks with North to set clear demarcation line SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense has formally proposed talks with North Korea to establish a clear baseline for the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), in what would be the first military dialogue between the two sides since 2018. Kim Hong-chul, director of the ministry’s Defense Policy Office, said Monday that North Korean troops have repeatedly crossed the MDL while constructing tactical roads, laying fences and planting mines insi November 17, 2025
  • North Korea slams G7 statement on denuclearization
    North Korea slams G7 statement on denuclearization SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - North Korean on Friday denounced a recent joint statement by the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries earlier this week. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui expressed "strong dissatisfaction and regret" over what she described as "hostile acts" by the G7 ministers in condemning the statement. The statement came on Wednesday, after the ministers wrappe November 14, 2025
  • North Korean, Laotian FMs meet in Pyongyang to strengthen ties
    North Korean, Laotian FMs meet in Pyongyang to strengthen ties SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - The foreign ministers of North Korea and Laos met in Pyongyang to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and her Laotian counterpart Thongsavanh Phomvihane pledged to implement agreements reached by their leaders in October to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries, according to KCNA. Their meetin November 13, 2025