North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II, expressing his "firm support and solidarity" with Moscow, state media reported Thursday. Kim extended his "warm congratulations and comradely greetings" to Putin in the message celebrating Russia's Victory Day, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Victory Day, which falls on Thursday, celebrates the Soviet Uni

Kim Ki-nam, a high-profile North Korean figure who dedicated his life to propaganda and agitation under the leadership of all three North Korean leaders since the 1960s, passed away Tuesday at the age of 94, North Korean state media announced Wednesday. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un paid a visit to the funeral of Kim Ki-am at 2 a.m. on Wednesday to convey his deep condolences over his passing, according to state media. State media reported the passing of Kim Ki-nam, who had been receiving medi

North Korea on Sunday denounced the United States and other countries for seeking an alternative to the United Nations monitoring panel that enforced sanctions against Pyongyang, saying that such a move will be doomed to face "self-destruction." North Korean Ambassador to the UN Kim Song issued a statement condemning Seoul, Washington, Tokyo and 47 other countries for jointly calling for "objective" and "independent" analysis regarding the enforcement of anti-North

Eastern Germany Commissioner Carsten Schneider on Friday emphasized the paramount importance of South Korean leadership steadfastly pursuing the goal of unification and remaining vigilant in monitoring the North Korean situation, in order to capitalize on any unforeseen opportunity for achieving unity on the Korean Peninsula. Schneider said that certain events unfold not by random chance, but rather at unforeseeable moments, reflecting on world history, after being asked about the feasibility of

NK delegation-Iran N. Korean economic delegation returns from Iran amid suspected military ties SEOUL, May 3 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean economic delegation has returned home from Iran, Pyongyang's state media said Friday, ending a rare trip that raised suspicions of possible weapons cooperation between the two nations. The delegation, headed by External Economic Relations Minister Yun Jong-ho, arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday after visiting Iran, the Korean Central News Agency said in a one

Russia delivered more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to North Korea in March alone, a White House official said Thursday, noting its shipments thus far have already exceeded Pyongyang's annual import cap mandated by the UN Security Council. National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby made the remarks as Washington is working in tandem with South Korea, Japan and other partners to roll out new sanctions this month against those aiding in transfers of weapons and refined petrole

North Korea has installed land mines on an inter-Korean road within the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, a South Korean military official said Monday, the latest in a series of moves to shut down cross-border roads. The military detected the North laying mines on the unpaved road inside the DMZ late last year near Arrowhead Hill in Cheorwon, 85 kilometers northeast of Seoul, according to the official. The path was created under a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement to connect the S

North Korea condemned the United States on Monday for sending longer-range tactical missiles to Ukraine for use in its fight against Russia, claiming that Washington cannot turn the tide of the war with such a "mean" policy. The White House confirmed last week that the US has sent a "significant" number of Army Tactical Missile Systems missiles to Ukraine for use inside the Ukrainian territory following Russia's use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Kyiv. An unn

North Korea on Saturday reiterated its commitment to launching more reconnaissance satellites into orbit this year after putting its first spy satellite into orbit in November. Pyongyang "will carry out an important mission to enhance its space reconnaissance capabilities as planned to monitor and control the US and other hostile forces' military movements and aggressive attempts," an unnamed spokesperson of the North's National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) said

North Korea on Saturday lashed out at the recent release of the United States' annual report on human rights situations in the reclusive country, calling it an act of interfering in the country's "internal affairs." Earlier this week, the US State Department released the 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, pointing out that North Koreans remained exposed to various types of human rights abuses last year, including forced repatriations, extrajudicial killings, fo

A Russian vessel, reportedly implicated in North Korea's arms transfers to Russia, is moored in China, a State Department spokesperson said Thursday, adding to speculation about Beijing's support for Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine. The spokesperson made the remarks as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in China, where he plans to discuss with senior Beijing officials a range of regional and global issues, including the war in Ukraine and North Korean threats. Citing B

North Korea on Thursday decried the United States over efforts to build a new mechanism for the monitoring of sanctions enforcement against the North and warned of "powerful practical actions" to build up its military strength. The US has pledged to work with South Korea and other countries to establish an alternative with the mandate of a UN expert panel monitoring sanctions enforcement that's set to expire at the end of April following Russia's veto to extend it last month.

NK minister's Iran visit may indicate potential military cooperation, experts say

North Korea said Tuesday that its leader Kim Jong-un has overseen the country’s first nuclear drills against a potential attack by an enemy. The Workers’ Party of Korea-owned daily Rodong Sinmun said the live-fire drills involving “new” and “super large” rocket launchers were held a day prior on Monday under Kim’s guidance. According to the report, Monday’s drills are the first demonstration of North Korea‘s central nuclear weapons management

The United States condemned North Korea's latest round of ballistic missile launches as a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, a State Department spokesperson said Monday. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson, also noted that Pyongyang's provocative activities will be on the agenda for talks that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will have during his trip to Shanghai and Beijing from Wednesday to Friday. On Monday, Pyongyang fired multiple projectiles, presumed to be shor