north korea

Biden warns North Korea against escalation after missile launch

March 26, 2021 | 08:00

President Joe Biden warned North Korea Thursday that the United States will "respond accordingly" if it escalates its military testing, after Pyongyang fired two missiles in its first major provocation since he took office.

Schools reopen in North Korea after COVID-19 delays

June 04, 2020 | 08:42

SEOUL: North Korean children returned to their classrooms in face masks on Wednesday (Jun 3) as schools reopened after the new term was delayed for months by COVID-19 precautions.

North Korea extends school breaks over COVID-19 fears

February 28, 2020 | 09:06

North Korea has postponed the new school term to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, reports said on Thursday (Feb 27), the latest measure as the ill-equipped country ramps up efforts to prevent a devastating outbreak.

North Korea cancels marathon over virus: Travel firm

February 22, 2020 | 09:10

North Korea has cancelled the Pyongyang Marathon - its biggest tourist money-spinner of the year - because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, a leading tour company said Friday (Feb 21).

Coronavirus threatens North Korea chaos: Analysts

February 22, 2020 | 08:47

North Korea's self-imposed isolation in the face of the coronavirus epidemic raging in neighbouring China is its only method of protection from an outbreak that would wreak havoc given its crumbling health system, analysts say.

Trump watching North Korea 'closely' as talks deadline nears

December 17, 2019 | 09:24

US President Donald Trump said on Monday (Dec 16) he'd be "disappointed" if North Korea had something "in the works" as a year-end ultimatum from Pyongyang about the fate of their nuclear talks approaches.

North Korea warns US not to exploit 'close' Trump-Kim ties

October 28, 2019 | 09:25

North Korea said on Sunday (Oct 27) the United States must not exploit the "close personal relations" between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump as negotiations over Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal remain deadlocked.

South Korea's Moon ups defence spending, urges North to talk

October 23, 2019 | 08:56

South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said Seoul would increase military spending and urged the North to return to dialogue in a budget speech on Tuesday (Oct 22) that could infuriate Pyongyang with nuclear talks gridlocked.

Kim Jong Un's ride up sacred mountain spurs speculation of policy shift

October 17, 2019 | 09:18

New pictures of Kim Jong Un riding a white horse through a winter landscape to the summit of Mount Paektu, a sacred peak for North Koreans, have fuelled speculation that the young leader may be set for a major policy announcement.

North Korea says no talks unless US stops hostile policies

October 06, 2019 | 21:00

North Korea said Sunday (Oct 6) it has "no desire" to continue nuclear talks unless the United States takes steps to end hostilities, a day after negotiations in Sweden broke down.

'Great respect' between US and North Korea: Trump

May 27, 2019 | 10:25

There is "great respect" between the United States and North Korea, President Donald Trump said Monday, predicting "lots of good things" despite recent missile launches by Pyongyang.

US approves missile sales to South Korea, Japan

May 18, 2019 | 08:56

The United States said Friday (May 17) it had approved more than US$600 million in sales of air defense missiles to South Korea and Japan as tensions return with North Korea.

Two Koreas mark Moon-Kim summit anniversary with different tones

April 27, 2019 | 12:03

North and South Korea Saturday struck different notes as they marked the first anniversary of a summit between their leaders that fuelled a whirlwind of diplomacy which has died down amid deadlock over Pyongyang's denuclearisation.

Putin tells Kim he wants to support 'positive' efforts on Korean peninsula

April 25, 2019 | 12:38

Russian President Vladimir Putin told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Thursday (Apr 25) that he supports ongoing efforts to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and wants to boost economic ties.

Kim woos Putin as North Korean labourers toil in Russia

April 23, 2019 | 15:55

While North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is wined and dined with Vladimir Putin in Russia this week, around 10,000 of his citizens will be labouring around the country to earn money for his government.