The Korea Herald

Pyongyang power succession moving faster than expected

Dec 26, 2011

The hereditary power succession process in North Korea is proceeding faster than expected with its state media depicting heir apparent Kim Jong-un as the top leader both of the military and ruling party.This runs counter to earlier skepticism that the untested heir, known to be in his late 20s, might face difficulties in taking control of the 1.2-million-strong military and ruling Workers’ Party as he has yet to officially obtain top posts in both.On Saturday, six days after the North announced
NKorea boosts heir as head of powerful committee

Dec 26, 2011

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) -- North Korea's state media on Monday called Kim Jong Il's heir the head of the ruling Workers' Party Central Committee, a job that gives Kim Jong Un power over one of the country's highest decision-making bodies more than a week after his father's death.The reference in
S. Koreans cross into N. Korea to pay last respects to N.Korea's Kim

Dec 26, 2011

DORASAN, South Korea, Dec. 26 (Yonhap) -- A former South Korean first lady and the chairwoman of Hyundai Group crossed the heavily fortified border into North Korea on Monday to pay their respects to late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. (Yonhap News)The trip by Lee Hee-ho, the 90-year-old widow of
Kim Jong-un celebrated as ‘supreme leader’ of N.K. military

Dec 25, 2011

North Korean state media continued to praise Kim Jong-un over the weekend, hinting at his imminent appointment to Pyongyang’s highest military post.In delivering the news that Kim paid his respects to his late father Kim Jong-il, the North’s official media outlet, the Korean Central News Agency, referred to Kim Jong-un as “the highest leader of our revolutionary forces” and called for the public to support his regime.On Saturday Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, where Kim Jong-il
Activists send winter socks to N.K. thru balloons

Dec 25, 2011

Activists in South Korea on Saturday sent winter socks carried by gas-filled balloons across the border to the impoverished North, where they can easily be exchanged for food.One pair of socks is thought to fetch about 10 kilograms of corn ― enough to sustain a person for a month in the hungry communist state.About 800 pairs of socks were launched by four large balloons across the border from the northern city of Paju on Christmas Eve.They were sent with leaflets containing a “politically innocu
New Year editorial may reveal post-Kim policy

Dec 25, 2011

As the New Year approaches, all eyes are on North Korea’s joint New Year editorial, which is expected to set the tone of Pyongyang’s policies in the post-Kim Jong-il era.North Korea traditionally publishes a joint New Year editorial every year on Jan. 1 through three state-run newspapers, along with the Korea Central News Agency.The editorial usually proclaims New Year policies on politics, economy, inter-Korean relations and foreign relations as well as the overall assessment of the previous ye
Will Kim Jong-un meet southern delegations?

Dec 25, 2011

Pyongyang says inter-Korean ties depend on Seoul’s attitude toward condolencesThe planned visit of South Korea’s former first lady Lee Hee-ho to North Korea to offer private condolences to the late leader Kim Jong-il is drawing attention to whether her delegation will be received by Kim’s heir apparent Jong-un. Her husband Kim Dae-jung, the late former president of South Korea, had the first inter-Korean summit with the late North Korean leader in 2000. When Kim Dae-jung died in 2009, a high-lev
NK says South stance may be catastrophic

Dec 25, 2011

North Korea warned Sunday of "unpredictable catastrophic consequences" for cross-border relations unless Seoul eases restrictions on visits by South Koreans to mourn late leader Kim Jong-Il.Saying the world is in mourning for "a peerlessly great man", the North again blasted the South for its respon
North Korean heir's uncle plays key role

Dec 25, 2011

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) -- North Korea on Sunday aired footage showing the uncle and key patron of anointed heir Kim Jong Un wearing a military uniform with a general's insignia _ a strong sign he'll play a crucial role in helping the young man take over power and uphold the ``military-firs
Anti-North Korean activists float socks by balloon across the border

Dec 24, 2011

A group of civic activists in South Korea flew winter socks by balloon into North Korea Saturday in a new campaign to assist poverty-stricken people there suffering from cold weather.About 50 activists from the Korea Peninsula International Peace Organization sent 800 pairs of winter socks carried b
N. Korean newspaper hints at successor's promotion at military

Dec 24, 2011
Kim's last gift to North Korea: loads of fish

Dec 24, 2011

North Korea`s flag is flown at half-mast at the North Korean Embassy to mourn the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Beijing, China, Friday. (AP-Yonhap)(AP) — The people of North Korea's capital have received a special gift from recently deceased leader Kim Jong Il: loads and loads of
Analysis: What's the plan if North Korea collapses?

Dec 24, 2011
N. Korean kindergarteners mourn Kim's death: KCNA

Dec 23, 2011

North Korean television showed scenes of kindergarteners weeping and crying as they mourned the death of the country's late leader Kim Jong-il but they appeared mobilized by the communist regime, analysts in Seoul said Friday.North Korea announced through its media Monday that the 69-year-old leader
N.K. to accept all funeral delegations from South

Dec 23, 2011

North Korea said Friday that it would accept all South Korean delegations to mourn the death of its leader Kim Jong-il, a move that could spark conflict as Seoul has decided to allow only a select number of groups to attend his funeral.On its official website, “Uriminjokkiri,” the North also upbraided the South for its restriction on civilian condolence delegations to Pyongyang for the funeral on Dec. 28, calling the decision “unacceptable, inhumane and barbaric.”“We will respectfully accept all