The Korea Herald

Ruling party chief visits N.K. amid lingering tensions

Sept 30, 2011

Visit raises anticipation for reactivation of economic cooperationSouth Korea’s top right-wing politician visited a joint factory park in North Korea Friday, raising anticipations for the possibility of the two Koreas reactivating their economic cooperation. Before crossing the heavily fortified lan
N. Korean leader's grandson to study in Bosnia: reports

Sept 28, 2011

A grandson of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has enrolled in an international college in Bosnia, local papers reported on Wednesday.Kim Jong-nam (Yonhap News)The16-year-old Kim Han-sol, son of the North Korean leader's oldest son Kim Jong-nam, is on a list of 72 sixth-year students of the Unit
Signs of market economy in N.K. emerging: expert

Sept 28, 2011

A market economy and new business class have emerged in North Korea since the 1990s even though their government will not acknowledge it publicly, a panel of experts said Wednesday. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Center for Free Enterprise in Yeouido, Seoul, professor Andrei Lankov of Kookmin
N.K. succession appears smoother than expected

Sept 28, 2011

Experts cite Kim Jong-il’s health, economy as factors to affect power transfer to his sonNorth Korea’s second hereditary power succession plan has proceeded smoothly and systematically since the communist state essentially made it official a year ago that its leader’s third son Kim Jong-un was to su
N. Korea blames Libyan regime collapse on absence of nukes: outgoing British envoy

Sept 28, 2011

North Korean officials believe the Libyan regime would not have collapsed had it held on to its nuclear weapons, the outgoing British ambassador to Pyongyang said Wednesday, casting doubt on the likelihood that the North will relinquish its nuclear capabilities.The remarks by Ambassador Peter Hughes
GNP leader’s Gaeseong visit may reduce tension

Sept 28, 2011

A planned visit to North Korea by a top right-wing South Korean politician is drawing attention as the two Koreas have been trying for months to thaw their icy ties.Hong Joon-pyo, chief of Seoul’s ruling Grand National Party, will travel to a joint factory park in North Korea’s Gaeseong on Friday to
N. Korea tells U.N. South seeking ‘road to war’

Sept 28, 2011

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) -- North Korea on Tuesday accused South Korea of seeking “the road to war” but called again for international talks on its nuclear arsenal.South Korea’s conservative government has taken relations with the North “to their worst state with widespread atmosphere of war and confron
Further N. Korean provocations could be on the horizon: Adm. Willard

Sept 28, 2011

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- The military commander in charge of U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region expressed concern Tuesday that North Korea will resume belligerence related to its ongoing power succession.“The dynamics surrounding succession and, you know, most importantly, the prospect of con
N.K., China leaders agree on economic cooperation

Sept 27, 2011

BEIJING (Yonhap News) ― North Korea and China agreed to strengthen economic cooperation during talks between their prime ministers in Beijing, China’s state news agency reported Tuesday.The North’s Premier Choe Yong-rim and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao “pledged to promote trade, investment and
Vague rules for N.K. aid irk charity groups

Sept 26, 2011

A growing number of nongovernmental charity groups here are reluctantly regrouping to gain permission for aid to North Korea largely due to the government’s inconsistent application of the rules, civic group members said Monday. Scores of religious and aid groups belonging to the Korea NGO Council f
S. Korea holds working-level talks with U.S. N. Korea policy coordination

Sept 24, 2011

South Korea held working-level talks with the U.S. as the two countries took steps to coordinate the direction of a looming U.S.-North meeting, sources said Saturday.The talks, held on Friday between Cho Hyun-dong, deputy head of Seoul's six-way talks team, and Edgard Kagan, director of the Office o
N. Korean leader meets Laos president: KCNA

Sept 23, 2011

SEOUL -- Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone wrapped up a three-day official visit to North Korea Friday after a meeting with leader Kim Jong-il, the North's media reported.The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the two leaders met in the North's capital Pyongyang but gave no other deta
N. Korea, U.S. to resume talks on recovery of war dead next month

Sept 23, 2011

SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Yonhap) -- North Korea and the United States will resume talks next month on recovering the remains of American troops killed during the 1950-53 Korean War, a South Korean official said Friday.The move will follow a series of recent diplomatic efforts by South Korea and the U.S. to
Obama warns N.K. of more pressure

Sept 22, 2011

Lee says Seoul is ready to help Pyongyang if it makes ‘strategic decision’Leaders of South Korea and the United States urged North Korea to make concrete steps toward denuclearization, reiterating their unchanging stance six months ahead of a meeting of about 50 world leaders on nuclear security in
N. Korea orchestra may hold U.S. performance

Sept 22, 2011

North Korea’s national symphony orchestra is expected to hold a performance in the U.S. next month, a U.S.-funded radio station reported Thursday. Quoting multiple sources close to North Korea, Radio Free Asia reported Pyongyang and Washington are currently “discussing details” such as the exact day