Minister plays down US parties' omission of NK denuke goal

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho on Wednesday aimed to quell rising concerns in Seoul over the omission of US commitments to North Korea's denuclearization from the 2024 platforms of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Kim remarked, "There has been back-and-forth debate recently over the platforms of US presidential candidates," specifically referring to the US Democratic Party’s platform released in August and the Republican Party’s platform from July that set

Aug. 28, 2024

N. Korea test-fires multiple rocket launcher equipped with new guidance system

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen a test-fire of a 240mm multiple rocket launcher with a new guidance system, state media reported Wednesday, amid speculation that the new artillery system could be provided to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine. Kim attended Tuesday's test of the multiple rocket launch system that is produced at defense industrial enterprises under the Second Economic Commission, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The weapon could put Seoul and its

Aug. 28, 2024

US takes NK 'suicide drone' threat 'seriously': Pentagon

The United States takes threats from what North Korea calls "suicide drones" seriously, a Pentagon spokesperson said Tuesday, reiterating Washington's commitment to cooperating with South Korea and other allies to ensure regional security. North Korean state media reported Monday that leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a performance test of various drones on Saturday, calling for the development and production of more suicide drones to bolster the country's war preparedness. "We

Aug. 28, 2024

N. Korea sent over 13,000 containers suspected of carrying arms to Russia: lawmaker

North Korea has sent more than 13,000 shipping containers suspected of carrying arms to Russia since mid-2022 amid deepening bilateral military ties, a lawmaker said Tuesday, citing a military intelligence report. The North delivered the shipments that could hold more than 6 million 152-millimeter artillery shells through its eastern port of Najin over the roughly two-year period, according to a Defense Intelligence Agency report submitted to Rep. Kang Dae-sik of the ruling People Power Party. T

Aug. 27, 2024

N. Korean leader oversees suicide drones test, calls for more production

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen a performance test of various drones, calling for the development and production of more suicide drones to enhance war preparedness, state media reported Monday. Kim supervised the test organized by the Drone Institute of the Academy of Defence Sciences on Saturday, according to the Korean Central News Agency. In the test, the drones flew along various preset courses and correctly identified and destroyed the designated targets, as they have missions

Aug. 26, 2024

N. Korea slams US nuclear strategy, vows to build up nuclear arms

North Korea on Saturday strongly lashed out at a revised US nuclear strategy plan, vowing to further strengthen its nuclear capability. Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that President Joe Biden approved the revised strategy in March this year to focus on China's growing nuclear threats and prepare for possible coordinated nuclear challenges from North Korea, China and Russia. Biden's approval of the revised strategy, called the "Nuclear Employment Guidance," cam

Aug. 24, 2024

Russian students return to N. Korea after 4-year hiatus over COVID-19

Five Russian university students have arrived in NK for a language program, marking Russian students' first entry to Pyongyang after a four-year hiatus since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang said Friday. The students from MGIMO University of the Russian Foreign Ministry visited the embassy Wednesday, and they will participate in a language program at Kim Il Sung University, the Russian Embassy said on its Telegram account. "We wish MGIMO students

Aug. 23, 2024

[Herald Interview] Traveling to ‘see the human side of North Korea’

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- When British traveler Zoe Stephens, 30, decided to tour North Korea for the first time in 2017, she didn’t think she would be doing it for a living. “I went to North Korea as a tourist first, pretty much the same way as everyone else. I realized it’s nothing like what the media says,” she told The Korea Herald. She said “the real North Korea” took her by surprise and charmed her. “So I decided that I wanted to start doing tours to show

Aug. 20, 2024

N. Korean soldier defects to S. Korea: military

A North Korean soldier crossed the border into South Korea early Tuesday in the latest defection amid Seoul's propaganda campaign in response to Pyongyang's s repeated launches of trash-carrying balloons. The South Korean military detected the soldier from north of the Military Demarcation Line within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas in the eastern section of the border and conducted an operation to help him arrive in the South. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) con

Aug. 20, 2024

N. Korea's Kim attends demonstration class for children from flood-hit region

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended a demonstration class for children from flood-hit regions, state media reported Saturday, as part of a series of efforts to emphasize his concern for the victims of recent heavy downpours. Kim visited the school located at their accommodation in Pyongyang on Friday, which had been prepared for victims from flood-affected areas in the North Phyongan, Jagang, and Ryanggang provinces, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Heavy rains in late July

Aug. 17, 2024

N. Korea finally reopening to international tourists: operator

North Korea will reopen to foreign tourism in December after nearly five years of Covid-triggered closure, two specialized tour operators said Wednesday. "We have received confirmation from our local partner that tourism to Samjiyon and potentially the rest of the country will officially resume in December 2024," Beijing-based Koryo Tours said on its website. Samjiyon, near North Korea's mountainous northern border with China, is a gateway city to Mount Paektu, where official na

Aug. 15, 2024

Yoon unveils unification vision in split celebration of Liberation Day

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday unveiled a new vision for unification, stressing that "complete liberation remains an unfinished task" as long as the Korean Peninsula remains divided, during his speech commemorating Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. However, his vision for a unified Korea, presented at the 79th Liberation Day ceremony, was overshadowed by internal discord within South Korea. Independence activist groups and opposition parties

Aug. 15, 2024

[Hello India] India and S. Korea: Forging stronger ties for brighter future

As we commemorate the 77th anniversary of Independence Day for India, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all fellow citizens, the vibrant Indian diaspora in the Republic of Korea, and our esteemed Korean friends. This day also marks the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day for Korea, and I wish its people and government continued success, good health and prosperity. Over the years, the ROK has achieved impressive success across all fields of human endeavor, particularly advanced manufacturing, t

Aug. 15, 2024

Severe floods in N. Korea could cut its 2024 crop output: FAO

North Korea's crop output for this year could be dented by severe floods from the latest heavy rains and a possible increase in pest infestations, the Food and Agriculture Organization said Wednesday. North Korea is expected to receive above-average precipitation amounts between August and October, according to a report posted on the website of the FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System. "Heavy rains could exacerbate waterlogging and lead to further flooding, causing si

Aug. 14, 2024

N. Korea slams S. Korea to divert public attention over flood damage: unification ministry

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un took swipe at South Korean media reports on flood damage in the North in an apparent attempt to divert public attention from the emergency situation, Seoul's unification ministry said Monday. During a visit to flood-hit areas of Uiju County in the northwestern province of North Pyongan last week, Kim lashed out at South Korean media reports that floods in areas along the Amnok River generated massive casualties. Kim rebuked South Korean media outlets as the m

Aug. 12, 2024

N. Korea sends some 240 trash-filled balloons toward S. Korea: JCS

North Korea has sent around 240 balloons carrying trash toward South Korea and about 10 of them landed in the South, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. As of 10 a.m., there had been no balloons detected floating midair, after North Korea launched such balloons Saturday, according to the South Korean military. A very few balloons landed in northern areas of Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul, as North Korea appears to have sent them despite winds blowing in northern and northeastern directions.

Aug. 11, 2024

N. Korean leader rejects international aid for flood damage

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged to bring victims of recent heavy downpours to the capital city of Pyongyang to take care of them without outside help, state media said Saturday. Kim made a two-day trip on Thursday and Friday to Uiju County in the northwestern province of North Pyongan to meet flood victims staying at a temporary shelter and offered support, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. He announced "an emergency system" to bring children, the elderly, disable

Aug. 10, 2024

N. Korea unilaterally applies for taekwondo's inscription as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

North Korea has unilaterally applied to list taekwondo, a traditional Korean martial art, as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the UNESCO website showed Friday. The North submitted an application to the UNESCO headquarters in March to include taekwondo on the ICH list, according to the UNESCO website. UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is expected to decide on the application in 2026, after assessing taekwondo's qualificat

Aug. 9, 2024

N. Korea names 4 new ambassadors in less than 10 days

North Korea has named new ambassadors to four countries since late July, marking its first ambassadorial appointments since February 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic. From July 30 to Thursday, North Korea's Foreign Ministry announced the appointments of ambassadors to Vietnam, Singapore, Romania and Cuba on its official website. Han Su-chol has been appointed as the ambassador to Cuba, the Foreign Ministry announced Thursday, without providing further details. Han is believed to be the indi

Aug. 9, 2024

Samsung phones for N. Korean Olympians could breach UN sanctions: Seoul

The South Korean government on Thursday flagged that North Korea's receipt of Samsung-gifted smartphones, specially customized for all athletes competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, could constitute a violation of UN sanctions. The International Olympic Committee has provided all athletes at the Paris Olympics with specially designed Olympic Edition Galaxy Z Flip6 smartphones from Samsung Electronics, an official event sponsor. The Unification Ministry in Seoul said the North Korean Olympic

Aug. 8, 2024