Most Popular
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Jimin of BTS, actor Song Da-eun suspected to be dating, again
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Police raid popera singer Kim Ho-joong's house over hit-and-run suspicions
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What's next for the government's push in quota hike?
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Trump may like to 'solve' N. Korean nuclear problem if reelected: ex-official
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Woman falls to death from acquaintance's home after exhibiting ‘unexplained' behaviors
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N. Korea slams planned S. Korea-US military drills, warns of 'catastrophic aftermath'
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N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
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‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says Hybe's Bang
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[Robert J. Fouser] Social attitudes toward language proficiency
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[Graphic News] How much do Korean adults read?
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Rodman sings happy birthday to North Korean leader
Dennis Rodman has sung ``Happy Birthday'' to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before leading a squad of former NBA stars onto the court at a Pyongyang stadium for a game Rodman said is part of his ``basketball diplomacy'' with the North that has been heavily criticized in the United States.Rodman dedicated the game Wednesday to his ``best friend'' Kim, who along with his wife and other senior officials and their wives watched from a special seating area. The capacity crowd of about 14,000 clapped
Jan. 8, 2014
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N.K. leader‘s aunt likely in critical condition’
‘N.K. leader‘s aunt likely in critical condition’North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s aunt appears to be in a critical condition due to a heart problem, a senior South Korean official said Wednesday.Kim Kyong-hui, 67, a senior party secretary and wife of the recently executed Jang Song-thaek, visited Russia between September and October last year for medical treatment, the official said.“We believe (she) is in critical condition,” the official said, noting that her heart problems appeared to have w
Jan. 8, 2014
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Korea allows Americans to run in Pyongyang marathon in April
North Korea has said it will allow Americans and other foreigners to run in the Pyongyang marathon in April, a U.S. tour agency said Wednesday. Uri Tours, a U.S.-based agency that specializes in trips to North Korea, said that Americans and other nationalities, whether they are amateurs or professional runners, can run in the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon on April 14. Mangyongdae is the birthplace of the North's founder Kim Il-sung. "This is the first time that Americans are a
Jan. 8, 2014
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Purge of Kim's uncle flags N. Korea's 'swerve away' from China: expert
The stunning purge and execution of the North Korean leader's uncle appears to signal that Pyongyang is trying to reduce its over-reliance on China while seeking to break a deadlock in relations with the United States, a Chinese expert said Tuesday.Jang Song-thaek, the once-powerful uncle and political mentor of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was executed on Dec. 12 on charges of attempting to overthrow the Kim dynasty, corruption and other misdeeds. Jang was also accused of selling the North'
Jan. 7, 2014
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N.K. premier inspects power generation facility
North Korea’s prime minister recently inspected a power generation plant in North Pyongan Province, as the communist country moves to emphasize the greater role of the Cabinet after the execution of the uncle of the country’s leader late last year.According to the Korean Central News Agency, Pak Pong-ju toured a power generation plant under construction in Hyangsan County. The news agency did not specify the exact date of the inspection. The senior official checked four stations being built at t
Jan. 6, 2014
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N.K. seen spurring leadership shakeup
North Korea appears to be quickening a reshuffle of its top brass to consolidate his power in the aftermath of the execution of leader Kim Jong-un’s powerful uncle. Pyongyang has replaced its coal industry and metal industry ministers in recent weeks, while calling in a raft of ambassadors known for close ties with Jang Song-thaek, the deceased vice chairman of the potent National Defense Commission. The North’s official Korean Central News Agency on Sunday introduced Mun Myong-hak as coal indus
Jan. 6, 2014
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Swedish surprise at seeing snow cannon used in N.K.
STOCKHOLM (AFP) ― When North Korea’s state media this week issued pictures of leader Kim Jong-un visiting a new ski field he ordered built, one firm in Sweden couldn’t believe what it was seeing.Its snow cannons were being used to coat the slopes of the Masik Pass Ski Resort in white ― despite EU sanctions meant to prevent impoverished North Korea getting its hands on luxury goods and equipment.“I have no idea how they turned up in North Korea. We did not sell them directly to North Korea,” the
Jan. 6, 2014
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Rodman heads back to N.K. for exhibition game on Kim’s birthday
BEIJING (Yonhap News) ― Former NBA star Dennis Rodman departed for North Korea on Monday for an exhibition basketball game marking the birthday of leader Kim Jong-un, hoping that the game would help Pyongyang “open the doors a little bit” to the outside world. Leading a team of ex-NBA All Stars for the Wednesday match, which include Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson and Vin Baker, the flamboyant Rodman said he would meet with Kim and wants to display a “good show” for the North’s young leader. The
Jan. 6, 2014
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Acrobatic troupe takes stage at ice show in northern China
BEIJING (Yonhap News) ― North Korea’s elite acrobatic troupe has been putting on rare performances at an annual winter festival in China’s northeastern city of Harbin, a local media report said Saturday.The 24-member group from the North’s Pyongyang National Acrobatic Troupe has performed at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival since Wednesday, the city’s newspaper Dongbei reported on its website.It was the first time that the North Korean troupe staged a performance tour at the Harbin festival, kno
Jan. 6, 2014
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Park looks to era of reunification
President Park Geun-hye on Monday proposed holding cross-border reunions for separated families in time for Lunar New Year’s Day later this month, expressing hope for fresh momentum to enhance inter-Korean ties.During her first press conference that focused on economic revitalization, social reform and security, Park vowed to begin preparations for reunification, which she called the “jackpot” to help Korea’s economy take another leap.The president also unveiled a three-year plan to reinvigorate
Jan. 6, 2014
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Rodman names team for exhibition
Dennis Rodman has named a team of former National Basketball Association players to participate in an exhibition basketball game in Pyongyang, North Korea.Rodman leads a team that includes former NBA All-Stars Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson, and Vin Baker. Craig Hodges, Doug Christie and Charles D. Smith are on the team, as well. They will play against a top North Korean Senior National team on Wednesday, marking North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's birthday.Rodman is the highest profile American t
Jan. 5, 2014
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Red Cross cuts 2014 budget for N. Korea aid
The international Red Cross has earmarked US$5.6 billion to aid North Korea, down some 15 percent from a year earlier, a media report said Saturday.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies allocated the budget for 2014 to launch diverse projects on disaster management and sanitation for people in the impoverished communist country, according to the Voice of America.Last year, the IFRC set aside $6.63 million for its projects in North Korea, and had expected to increas
Jan. 4, 2014
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Kerry, Yun to discuss N. Korea's denuclearization commitment next week
WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his South Korean counterpart, Yun Byung-se, will focus on ways to denuclearize North Korea when they meet next week in Washington, the State Department said Friday."We do still believe the onus is on North Korea," the department's deputy spokeswoman, Marie Harf, said at a press briefing.She pointed out North Korea has committed on multiple occasions to denuclearize."It is a key topic of discussions with the South Koreans that wil
Jan. 4, 2014
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Seoul doubts N.K.’s peace gestures
Seoul on Friday reined in the rising optimism for improved inter-Korean relations, responding with skepticism to Pyongyang’s sincerity in its conciliatory gestures made in its leader’s New Year’s address.It stressed that peace and reconciliation did not come with only a few words, and that the North should first make sincere efforts to accumulate trust with the South and denuclearize itself.“Last year, the North also argued that the South should push aside a confrontational policy and take a pat
Jan. 3, 2014
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N. Korea using foreign equipment at newly opened ski resort
North Korea is using Canadian and European equipment at its newly opened ski resort, a website reported, indicating that Pyongyang likely skirted United Nations sanctions banning the transfer of luxury goods to the country.A snowmobile, snow blowers and snow cats were seen in photos released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday when it reported that the North opened its Masik Pass ski resort ahead of New Year's Day.NK News, a Washington-based website that specializes i
Jan. 3, 2014
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Seoul steps up diplomacy amid N.K. uncertainty, Abe’s shrine visit
South Korea is ratcheting up diplomatic efforts with the U.S. and China amid growing uncertainty surrounding North Korea following the execution of leader Kim Jong-un’s uncle. Seoul’s Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se plans to travel to Washington next week for talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other ranking officials. With Pyongyang’s nuclear program topping the agenda, the two top diplomats are also expected to trade views regarding the situation on the peninsula in the wake of the
Jan. 2, 2014
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S. Korea urges N. Korea to abandon nuclear weapons programs
South Korea's point man on North Korea urged Pyongyang Thursday to give up its nuclear weapons programs and improve ties with Seoul.Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said the North's nuclear weapons won't help the communist country to revive its moribund economy and enhance the livelihoods of its 24 million people."North Korea should lay down its nuclear weapons if it chooses to develop its economy," Ryoo said in a speech to his officials. "Then, North Korea can earn serious and sincere coopera
Jan. 2, 2014
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S. Korea cautious on North's 'two-track' approach
South Korea's defense ministry on Thursday remained cautious over North Korea's rare conciliatory gesture, warning of the possibility that Pyongyang may adopt a "two-track approach" of dialogue and provocations.In his New Year's message, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for improved ties with Seoul amid high concerns that the North may stage military provocations against the South as part of its strategy to forge internal unity following the execution of his once-powerful uncle, Jang Song-
Jan. 2, 2014
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S. Korea returns 4 N. Korean fishermen, boat
South Korea handed over four North Korean fishermen found drifting in South Korean waters back to the North‘s military along with their boat, a coast guard official said Tuesday.A South Korean Coast Guard vessel towed the fishing boat to the eastern maritime border before retreating back to the South Korean waters. The fishing boat was later taken to the North Korean waters by a North Korean military vessel, Chung Jong-young, a coast guard spokesman, said by phone from Sokcho, about 210 kilomete
Jan. 1, 2014
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N. Korea vows to build 'world-class' structures
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un on Wednesday called for the construction of "world-class" structures, praising the speedy completion of his pet ski resort project. "The construction sector should set up world-class structures ... and build many other structures that could contribute to improving the people's living conditions," Kim said in a New Year message broadcast on state TV. He praised soldiers and builders for setting up "numerous monumental structures" including the Masik Pass Ski Re
Jan. 1, 2014