SEOUL: North Korea’s defence minister, No Kwang Chol, on Saturday warned of further “offensive action” following Pyongyang’s latest ballistic missile launch, escalating tensions in the region. The missile test on Friday came shortly after US President Donald Trump, during a regional tour, expressed interest in meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — an […]
North Korea
North Korea prepares for nuclear test: South Korea issues warning
South Korea’s defense intelligence agency warned that North Korea may conduct a nuclear test soon if leader Kim Jong-un decides. The potential test could take place at the Punggye-ri nuclear facility, a site used for all previous nuclear detonations, the agency said. Preparations appear underway for a possible detonation, signaling Pyongyang’s continued pursuit of nuclear […]
US Defense Secretary visits DMZ amid talks on troop role in South Korea
SEOUL — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the North Korean border on Monday as part of his trip to South Korea, the South Korean Defence Ministry said. His visit comes ahead of talks aimed at reshaping the role of US troops stationed in the country. Hegseth arrived at the […]
Xi Jinping positions China as trade alternative at Apec
SEOUL — Chinese President Xi Jinping took centre stage at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit on Saturday, advocating for a global body to govern artificial intelligence and promoting China as an alternative to the United States in trade cooperation. Xi proposed the creation of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation to establish governance rules […]
South Korea turns to China for help in engaging North Korea
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday during a state summit in Gyeongju. Xi visited South Korea for the first time in eleven years. The leaders attended an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum before holding talks on regional cooperation and security. Xi told Lee that China values its relationship […]
Trump approves South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarine
GYEONGJU: U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has granted approval for South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine, marking a major shift in the country’s naval capabilities. The announcement came a day after Washington and Seoul said they had reached a broad trade deal covering investment and shipbuilding. Trump met with South Korean […]
Kim Jong Un Unveils North Korea’s New Hwasong-20 ICBM
SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a grand military parade in Pyongyang late Friday, showcasing the country’s newest Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) — described by state media as its “strongest nuclear strategic weapon system.” The parade, held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party, was attended by Chinese […]
China denies Trump claim of conspiring with Russia, North Korea
China has denied claims that it is teaming up with Russia and North Korea to work against the United States. The response came after US President Donald Trump accused Beijing of using a World War II commemoration event to show a united anti-US front. Trump posted on Truth Social, sarcastically addressing President Xi Jinping and […]
North Korea backs Russia’s Ukraine war in high-level talks
In a fresh display of growing strategic ties, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Wonsan, North Korea, on Saturday. During the meeting, Pyongyang publicly reaffirmed its strong support for Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, according to Russian state media outlet TASS. Lavrov arrived in Wonsan after […]
North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine, raising security concerns
North Korea has revealed its first-ever nuclear-powered submarine, a significant development in its military capabilities. State media released photos of the submarine, calling it a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine.” The unveiling took place during a visit by leader Kim Jong Un to shipyards where warships are built. The submarine is estimated to be a […]