WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he received a "great letter" from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and expects the two will have another meeting soon.Kim said in his New Year's address Tuesday that he is ready for a second meeting with Trump at any time and is committed to "complete denuclearization."But he also warned that the North may be compelled to "find a new way" to defend its interests if the US continues with sanctions and pressure against the regime.(Yonhap)"

Future denuclearization talks should pay attention to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s comments on the possible development of nuclear energy to tackle the country’s electricity shortage, according to Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon.In a television show Tuesday night, Cho said the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes was guaranteed in exchange for the development of a resolution of the nuclear weapon issue in the agreement of the six-party talks, in which South Korea, the United Sta

The Unification Ministry said Wednesday that close consultation with the international community is required in considering the resumption of a South-North industrial complex and tour program, following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s call for the restart of inter-Korean projects.“As agreed before, it is necessary at this moment for us to focus on creating the conditions,” Unification Ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun told reporters Wednesday. “Also, it is a matter that should be pursued in con

South Korea needs close consultations with the international community to consider the resumption of two inter-Korean economic cooperation projects as called for by North Korea's leader, the unification ministry said Wednesday.In his New Year speech on Tuesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he is willing to reopen the now-shuttered industrial park in the North's border town of Kaesong and resume the suspended tourism program to Mount Kumgang on its east coast without any preconditions. "A

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would not seek a second summit with US President Donald Trump if he sees no breakthrough in now-stalled denuclearization talks, a North Korean defector said Wednesday.Thae Yong-ho, a former senior North Korean diplomat, interpreted Kim's warning of a "new path" in his New Year's message as an expression of his resolve not to be swayed by the US. (Yonhap)Kim said Tuesday that he is firmly committed to denuclearization and ready to meet with Trump at any time. But h

The UN Children's Fund estimates that at least $19.5 million is needed to support North Korean children this year amid constraints on assisting the impoverished country due to international sanctions.The global children's agency said in a report that 10.9 million people in North Korea, including 2.59 million under age 18, are exposed to chronic food insecurity and lack access to basic services, such as health care and sanitation facilities.(Yonhap)Among the total amount of funds requested for th

President Moon Jae-in made a rare trip to the National Cemetery on Wednesday to pay his respects to the country's war veterans and heroes before starting the first working day of the new year.The president was joined by all 19 members of his Cabinet, including Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, on his visit to the Seoul National Cemetery. (Yonhap)Such visits are customary for the president and other leaders before or after major events.Moon is now in the third year of his single five-year presidency. (

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he looks forward to a second meeting with the North Korean leader, after Kim Jong-un said he is ready to meet any time."'Kim Jong Un says North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others - & he is ready to meet President Trump anytime,'" Trump tweeted, apparently citing a PBS News Hour report on Kim's New Year's address earlier in the day."I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that

The United States declined to comment Tuesday after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un renewed his commitment to denuclearize but demanded reciprocal steps from the US."We decline the opportunity to comment," a State Department spokesperson told Yonhap on condition of anonymity. (Yonhap)It was Washington's first response to Kim's annual New Year's speech, which was watched closely for hints of the future of stalled denuclearization talks between the North and the USKim said in the address that he i

South Korea's presidential office welcomed the New Year's address by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying it reflects his wish for the development of inter-Korean ties and Pyongyang-Washington relations."Chairman Kim's firm commitment is expected to have a positive effect on resolving the Korean Peninsula issue smoothly in the new year," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said. (Yonhap)In the half-hour long televised speech, the North's leader expressed his willingness to meet again with U

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Tuesday he hopes to extend his high-stakes nuclear summitry with President Donald Trump into 2019, but also warns Washington not to test North Koreans’ patience with sanctions and pressure.During his televised New Year’s speech, Kim said he’s ready to meet with Trump at any time to produce an outcome “welcomed by the international community.” However, he said the North will be forced to take a different path if the United States “con

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Tuesday he is firmly committed to denuclearization and ready to meet with US President Donald Trump at any time, but warned he could seek an alternative course if the US misjudges his patience and sticks to sanctions.Kim made the remarks during his New Year's speech broadcast by the country's state television, also urging the US to take corresponding measures in exchange for denuclearization steps the communist nation has taken so far. (Yonhap)Kim also said h

North Korea's state media blasted Japan on Monday for clinging to sanctions and pressure on Pyongyang, saying that Tokyo is ignorant of change underway on the Korean Peninsula and actions the North has taken for peace and prosperity.In a commentary, the Korean Central News Agency urged Japan to stop talking "rubbish" arguing that the time is not right for the international community to apply sanctions exemptions on North Korea.  (KCNA-Yonhap)"Shortly ago, Japanese Ambassador to the United Nation

President Moon Jae-in said Monday that North Korea leader Kim Jong-un's personal letter sent to him on Sunday contains a "positive" message that could give hints as to what direction North Korea could be headed in denuclearization and inter-Korean relations, a source said.Cheong Wa Dae announced on Sunday that Kim expressed in the letter an intent to work together with South Korea on the issue of denuclearization, cooperate for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and honor his promise t

Kim Jong-un will be keeping North Korea watchers busy on New Year's Day, when he is expected to give his annual address laying out the country's top priorities for the year ahead.The speech, which is normally broadcast on North Korea's state-run television network, is often the best gauge of what the North Korean leadership is focused on and what tone it will take in its dealings with the outside world. For 2019, it will be parsed carefully for clues about Kim's thinking on denuclearization talk