North Korea reported one additional death and over 260,000 new suspected COVID-19 cases Thursday, raising its total number of fever cases to nearly 2 million amid its battle with the virus outbreak. According to the information of the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters, more than 262,270 people showed symptoms of fever and one death was reported over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. Wednesday, increasing the total number of fatalities to 63, the official Korean Central News Agency (KC

  North Korea's trade with China jumped on year in April as the two nations had resumed railroad freight traffic, according to Chinese customs data on Wednesday.  North Korea's trade volume with China stood at $102 million in April, compared with some 30 million for the same month a year ago, according to the data.  Railroad freight traffic between North Korea and China halted in August 2020 due to outbreaks of COVID-19 in China, and resumed in January this year.  Trade

WHO urges N. Korea to take ‘comprehensive approach’ to combat COVID-19 outbreak

North Korea appears to be preparing for a possible intercontinental ballistic missile test within the next 48 to 96 hours in time for US President Joe Biden’s visit to Seoul and Tokyo this weekend, CNN reported Wednesday. An official familiar with the matter told CNN that a government assessment shows that “things we have noticed in the past for a launch are the things we are noticing now.” While the official did not provide specific details on the latest satellite imagery

North Korea has remained unresponsive to South Korea's attempt to propose working-level consultations on its push to extend help to the neighbor in its fight against the COVID-19 outbreak for the third day, a ministry official here said Wednesday. The Ministry of Unification had sought to deliver a related message to the North on Monday through their liaison office to hold the talks and offer assistance in medical supplies to the neighbor, known for its dilapidated medical system. The two K

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rebuked officials for failing to respond properly to the COVID-19 outbreak in its early stages as he presided over a ruling Workers' Party meeting, state media said Wednesday. His message came as the country reported more than 232,880 people with fever symptoms nationwide and six additional deaths, raising total fatalities to 62, as of 6 p.m. the previous day. At the meeting of the presidium of the political bureau held Tuesday, Kim said that "immaturity

The United States is deeply concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea and supports providing humanitarian assistance, including COVID-19 vaccines, to the impoverished country, a state department spokesperson said Tuesday. Ned Price, however, noted Pyongyang may still go ahead with its widely anticipated nuclear test. "Unfortunately, to date the DPRK has refused all vaccine donations from COVAX," the department press secretary said when asked in a daily press briefing if the

South Korea's top military officer on Tuesday visited an Army unit on the eastern front to check its readiness against possible threats from North Korea and border breaches, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. JCS Chairman Gen. Won In-choul inspected the frontline unit of the 22nd Division in charge of the eastern border area and its border defense system, it said. Citing the division's vast border operations area, which includes parts of the country's eastern coast, Won urged the troops to maint

North Korea has remained unresponsive for the second day to South Korea's attempt to offer dialogue on COVID-19 medical supplies and health care cooperation, a ministry official here said Tuesday. The Ministry of Unification had sought to deliver a related fax message to the North on Monday through their liaison office. It is seeking to hold working-level consultations on the ongoing epidemic in the impoverished neighbor and assistance in medical supplies, including vaccines, masks and test ki

Propaganda website says Yoon’s North Korea policy reminiscent of Lee Myung-bak’s ‘Vision 3000’ policy

Former South Korean president’s ‘friendly ties’ with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may play positive in talks with Pyongyang

At least 34,000 omicron deaths possible in the unvaccinated country, says leading doctor

North Korea reported six additional deaths Tuesday amid a surge in suspected COVID-19 cases, as it deployed its military to supply medicine to pharmacies in Pyongyang. According to the information of the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters, over 269,510 people showed symptoms of fever and six deaths were reported as of 6 p.m. Monday, raising the total number of fatalities to 56 amid the epidemic, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The North has stepped up effor

Yoon offers ‘unsparing’ aid to COVID-hit North Korea, but Pyongyang unlikely to accept

President Yoon Suk-yeol said Monday he will spare no effort to help North Korea cope with a massive outbreak of the coronavirus, offering to send vaccines and other necessary supplies if Pyongyang agrees to accept. Yoon made the offer for a second time as the North struggles to curb rapidly spreading infections after acknowledging an outbreak last week for the first time since the pandemic began. Leader Kim Jong-un has described the worsening situation as "a great upheaval" rarely see