Korea

North Korea may be expanding uranium enrichment, international atomic watchdog warns

The IAEA has warned that North Korea may be expanding uranium enrichment at Yongbyon, raising concerns of accelerated nuclear weapons development.

Kim Yo-jong dismisses Lee Jae Myung as “powerless dreamer,” rejects South as diplomatic partner

Kim Yo-jong called South Korean President Lee Jae Myung a “powerless dreamer” and rejected Seoul as a diplomatic counterpart, underscoring North Korea’s hardening stance.

North’s leader Kim Jong-un says South-U.S. military drills show countries’ ‘will to ignite a war’

Kim Jong-un condemned the South Korea-U.S. military drills as a clear signal of a “will to ignite war,” vowing stronger military action and expanded naval power.

Lee calls for phased steps to implement existing inter-Korean pacts to restore ties with North

President Lee Jae Myung directed ministries to take phased steps to revive inter-Korean agreements, stressing restored trust and peaceful engagement with North Korea.

Kim Jong-un focuses on ties with Russia, avoids mention of U.S. relations in Liberation Day speech

On Liberation Day, Kim Jong-un avoided mention of U.S. ties and instead underscored the growing DPRK-Russia friendship, hosting a senior Russian delegation in Pyongyang.

Kim Yo-jong rejects Seoul’s conciliatory gestures, calls them a ‘shabby, deceptive farce’

North Korea’s Kim Yo-jong rejected South Korea’s recent conciliatory gestures, calling them a “shabby, deceptive farce,” and reaffirmed Pyongyang’s refusal to engage with Seoul or Washington under current conditions.

Kim Jong-un, Putin hold ‘strategy session’ by phone before U.S.-Russia summit

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a rare, publicly acknowledged phone call ahead of the U.S.-Russia summit, signaling close coordination on Ukraine and broader strategic issues.

Kim Keon Hee arrested, marking first time an ex-presidential couple is simultaneously jailed

A Seoul court arrested Kim Keon Hee on multiple charges, marking the first time in South Korea’s history that a former presidential couple is jailed simultaneously.

North Korea vows ‘resolute counteraction posture’ to South Korea-U.S. military drills

North Korea has warned of a “resolute counteraction posture” against ongoing U.S.-South Korea military drills, despite Seoul’s partial schedule changes.

U.S. notes Kim Yo-jong’s suggestion of talks beyond denuclearization

A U.S. official said President Trump remains open to negotiations with North Korea to fulfill goals set in the 2018 Singapore Summit with Kim Jong-un.