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Smuggled North Korean books, CDs seized, first since 2020
South Korean authorities seized 16 books and four CDs that were published in North Korea and smuggled here illegally, data from the Korea Customs Service showed Wednesday. The items were seized on June 18, along with two stamp albums and other miscellaneous items, including North Korean money and medals, according to a report compiled by Park Seong-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party. This marked the first time illegally smuggled North Korean items have been confiscated by local autho
Sept. 17, 2025 -
Unification ministry reviews changing S. Korean term of N. Korean defectors
The unification ministry said Tuesday it is considering changing the South Korean term of North Korean defectors, noting the word highlighting their escape from the North carries a negative connotation. The ministry said it has commissioned a study to review renaming the Korean term of the North's defectors, or "talbukmin" in Korean, with an aim of selecting a new name by the end of this year after collecting opinions from such defectors. The term "bukhyangmin," which means people who hail from
Sept. 16, 2025 -
NK hackers used AI to target S. Korean military: report
North Korea’s Kimsuky hacking group used artificial intelligence-generated images in a recent phishing campaign against South Korean military agencies, a local cybersecurity firm said in a report Monday. According to the report by Genians, the group sent malware-laced emails to undisclosed military agencies, asking them to review sample ID card designs for civilian employees of the military. The attached images of identification cards were fabricated with AI tools, which Genians claimed were pro
Sept. 15, 2025 -
N. Korea says its status as nuclear weapons state is 'permanently' fixed
North Korea said Monday its status as a nuclear weapons state has been "permanently" specified in the North's law as it denounced the United States for repeating its "anachronistic" claim about Pyongyang's denuclearization at an international meeting. North Korea's permanent mission to the UN office and international organization in Vienna issued a press statement condemning the US taking issue with the North's nuclear weapons program at a recent session of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Sept. 15, 2025 -
Allies launch dual exercises amid N. Korea's rare twin threats
South Korea will launch two simultaneous military exercises on Monday: Freedom Edge, a trilateral outdoor multi-domain drill with the US and Japan, and Iron Mace, a nuclear-attack response planning tabletop exercise with the US. North Korea denounced the defensive exercises — which aim to enhance interoperability and sharpen readiness against North Korea’s mounting missile and nuclear threats — with concurrent press statements from two high-profile officials. Both exercises will be held for the
Sept. 14, 2025 -
N. Korean leader's sister blasts planned S. Korea US military exercise
The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Sunday blasted a planned joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, warning the "reckless muscle-flexing" would bring unfavorable consequences. Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the North Korean ruling party's Central Committee, issued the warning in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. The allies are set to stage the Iron Mace tabletop military exercise from Monday to Friday at the US F
Sept. 14, 2025 -
N. Korea to unveil policy of pursuing both nuclear forces, conventional weapons at party congress
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said Pyongyang will unveil a policy of simultaneously pursuing nuclear forces and conventional weapons at the North's upcoming party congress, state media reported Saturday. Kim made the remarks during his inspection of the armored defensive weapons institute and the electronic weapons institute under the Academy of Defence Sciences on Thursday and Friday, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The North's leader stressed the need to continue to "moderni
Sept. 13, 2025 -
Kim Ju-ae strengthened succession narrative during China visit: NIS
South Korea’s intelligence agency assessed that Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, may have strengthened her position as his likely successor during their recent visit to China, lawmakers said Thursday. The National Intelligence Service delivered the assessment during a closed-door session of the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee, according to Reps. Park Sun-won of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and Lee Seong-kweun of the main opposition People Power Party
Sept. 11, 2025 -
Kim Ju-ae strengthened position as likely heir during China visit: Seoul
South Korea’s intelligence agency told lawmakers Thursday that Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, may have strengthened her position as his likely successor during their recent trip to China. Last week, Ju-ae stepped into the choreography of international relations, accompanying her father to his first multilateral diplomatic event alongside 26 heads of state, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Beijing. Ju-ae was seen standing
Sept. 11, 2025 -
Kim, Xi reached 'important common understanding' during last week's talks in Beijing
The leaders of North Korea and China have reached "important common understanding" on bilateral ties, and regional and global issues during the recent talks in Beijing, state media reported Thursday, citing a key Chinese parliamentary official. Zhang Qingwei, a vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the remark at the reception held by the North Korean Embassy in Beijing on Monday, the Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, reported. The reception took
Sept. 11, 2025 -
Kim says N. Korea's 'absolute' status cannot be reversed on founding day
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his commitment to adhering to the country's nuclear weapons program in a speech marking the national foundation day, according to the North's state media Wednesday. "The cause of building a powerful country ... is being reviewed proudly now that our state has attained a remarkable status," the Korean Central News Agency quoted Kim as saying in a speech at a national founding day ceremony held the previous day at Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang.
Sept. 10, 2025 -
Defense chief pledges both strong deterrence against, dialogue with N. Korea
South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Tuesday that his country will consistently pursue a “two-track approach” of strong deterrence and efforts at reviving dialogue by building cross-border trust with North Korea, as Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear and missile programs deepen regional security risks. In his opening speech at the annual 2025 Seoul Defense Dialogue held in Seoul, Ahn warned that the accelerating development of North Korea’s arsenal represents not only a threat to stabilit
Sept. 9, 2025 -
Kim Jong-un bares nuclear ambitions in new ICBM engine display, with Xi at his side
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un again underscored his drive to strengthen the country’s "nuclear strategic forces" as he observed a test of a new solid-fuel engine designed for intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of striking the US with greater survivability and mobility. Seoul-based observers noted the choreography of Kim’s recent spate of public appearances tied to missile and nuclear buildup — bracketed around his trip to Beijing for China’s 80th Victory Day celebrations, where he sto
Sept. 9, 2025 -
Britain appoints new ambassador to N. Korea
Britain has appointed a new ambassador to North Korea, with the envoy set to take up the post within this month, according to its foreign office Tuesday. Simon Wood, who recently served as deputy director for North-East Asia and China Directorate, will succeed former Ambassador to Pyongyang David Ellis, who will be retiring from foreign service, the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said in a press release on Monday. Wood will take up his position during this month, the office s
Sept. 9, 2025 -
China's Xi, in message to Kim, says ready to deepen strategic communication with N. Korea
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message Tuesday to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the North's national founding anniversary, saying Beijing is ready to strengthen strategic communication with Pyongyang, according to the North's state media. The message was delivered as North Korea marks the 77th anniversary of its national founding on Sept. 9, 1948, by the current leader's grandfather, Kim Il-sung, the North's Korean Central News Agency reported. "The Chinese side is ready
Sept. 9, 2025