The US will continue to call out “bad behavior” from North Korea, a Pentagon spokesperson said Friday, amid speculation that the recalcitrant state may be preparing for a nuclear or an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test. 　“We made these revelations public, we announced some of the additional ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and enhanced readiness we were taking because we believe it’s important to call out the behavior that we‘

The US imposed sanctions on five Russian entities, including two Russian nationals, for aiding North Korea‘s ballistic missile programs Friday. 　“The DPRK continues to launch ballistic missiles in blatant violation of international law, posing a grave threat to global security,” Brian Nelson, under secretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, was quoted as saying, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of

South Korea and the US on Friday confirmed that North Korea’s two recent missile launches were to test for a new intercontinental ballistic missile system, as Washington plans to announce fresh sanctions against the regime for its weapons program.  The authorities concluded that the regime’s ballistic missile tests on Feb. 27 and March 5 -- which Pyongyang claimed were for a reconnaissance satellite -- “involved a new intercontinental ballistic missile system” that

North Korea's state media on Friday reported conservative opposition candidate Yoon Suk-yeol was elected as South Korea's president in the first coverage of the news by Pyongyang since the election. "Yoon Suk-yeol, a candidate of the conservative opposition 'People Power Party,' won by a narrow margin in the 20th 'presidential election' held in South Korea on March 9," the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a one paragraph report. Yoon was elected president ea

WASHINGTON -- North Korea's two most recent missile launches were aimed at testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system ahead of a possible full-fledged ICBM test, a senior US official said Thursday, adding the US plans to take action that will hinder Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. North Korea earlier confirmed launching missiles on Feb. 27 and Saturday (Seoul time), claiming they were aimed at developing a reconnaissance satellite. "After careful analysis, the

US military has heightened readiness against N. Korea’s missile launches

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited the country's space agency, and said the recent development of a reconnaissance satellite is aimed at collecting information on the US military in the region and its "vassal forces," Pyongyang's state media reported Thursday. On Saturday, North Korea fired a ballistic missile in a second such test in less than a week that Pyongyang claimed was for developing a reconnaissance satellite. "(Kim) noted that the purpose of developing and op

Defending against ICBM threats remains ‘critical priority,’ US commander says

North Korea may resume nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) testing before the year’s end, a US government report said Tuesday. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) also said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un believes his nuclear weapons are the “ultimate guarantor” of his regime and that North Korea will eventually be accepted as a nuclear power over time. “In January, North Korea began laying the groundwork for an increase in tensi

S. Korean military seizes N. Korean vessel crossing western maritime border

The UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting to discuss North Korea’s recent missile test on Monday, but failed to produce a text condemning the regime of its sanctions violations.  At the request of Washington, the meeting of the UN’s most powerful body came after the North said it conducted test for a reconnaissance satellite Saturday. Observers believe it was a cover for testing long-range ballistic missile technology banned by UN Security Council resolutions. 　 The co

Reactor at Yongbyon appears to be in operation, IAEA chief says　

South Korea's unification ministry on Tuesday called on North Korea to abide by agreements it has made with the international community for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula amid reports the reclusive regime is continuing activities at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex. On Monday, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the agency's monitoring team has spotted indications of activity at the 5-megawatt reactor at the complex north of Pyong

Australia has imposed its own sanctions against a North Korean trading company linked with the secretive nation's development of weapons of mass destruction, as well as Chinese and Russian companies accused of helping Pyongyang shun international sanctions, a recent government document showed. The Pyongyang-based Puhung Trading Corp. has been added to Australia's list of entities under financial sanctions, which restrict the use of their assets, according to a document from Foreign Minister Mari

A US Department of Defense spokesperson on Monday called on North Korea to stop its missile launches, calling them "needless provocations." Department Press Secretary John Kirby also urged Pyongyang to engage in dialogue to find a negotiated solution. "These continue to be provocations, needless provocations at that," he said when asked about North Korea's recent missile tests that it claims to have been aimed at developing a reconnaissance satellite. North Korea has staged n