Most Popular
-
1
Court refuses injunction on medical school expansion
-
2
Jimin of BTS, actor Song Da-eun suspected to be dating, again
-
3
Police raid popera singer Kim Ho-joong's house over hit-and-run suspicions
-
4
What's next for the government's push in quota hike?
-
5
Trump may like to 'solve' N. Korean nuclear problem if reelected: ex-official
-
6
Woman falls to death from acquaintance's home after exhibiting ‘unexplained' behaviors
-
7
N. Korea slams planned S. Korea-US military drills, warns of 'catastrophic aftermath'
-
8
N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
-
9
‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says Hybe's Bang
-
10
[Robert J. Fouser] Social attitudes toward language proficiency
-
Park urges readiness against possible N.K. provocations
President Park Geun-hye on Monday directed her government to maintain “full readiness” against possible North Korean provocations as security concerns grow following the execution of Jang Song-thaek, the uncle of the North’s ruler Kim Jong-un.During a meeting of top foreign affairs and security officials at Cheong Wa Dae, Park also called on her staff to strengthen security cooperation with the United States, beef up border patrol and tighten discipline in officialdom.The president also ordered
Dec. 16, 2013
-
N.K. leader continues public activity following uncle's execution
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed deep condolences over the death of a ruling Workers'Party official, the North's state media reported Monday, just days after the execution of his once-powerful uncle.Kim "paid silent tribute" to Kim Kuk-thae, a member of the political bureau of the party's central committee who died of acute heart failure on Friday at the age of 89, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.Kim also expressed profound condolences and warm consolatio
Dec. 16, 2013
-
Kerry ties N.K. leader’s brutality with that of Iraq’s Hussein
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry unleashed a harsh criticism Sunday of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for his "ruthless and reckless" leadership.Kerry was responding to reports that North Korea executed Jang Song-thaek, the once-powerful uncle of its supreme leader Kim, last week."It really reminded me of a video that we saw of Saddam Hussein doing the same thing, having people plucked out of an audience, and people sitting there sweating, and nobody daring to move or do anything," Kerry said
Dec. 16, 2013
-
'Purge won't hurt economic policy'
A senior North Korean official says the execution of leader Kim Jong-un's once-powerful uncle won't lead to changes in economic policies and the nation will push ahead with plans for new economic zones to attract foreign investment.Yun Yong-sok, a senior official in the State Economic Development Committee, said in an interview with The Associated Press in Pyongyang on Sunday that Friday's execution of Jang Song-thaek shouldn't be taken as a sign that the North will change economic course or eff
Dec. 15, 2013
-
Latest developments point to instability in N. Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s reinforced reign of terror is further increasing uncertainty over the long-term political and economic stability of the reclusive regime, analysts said Sunday.Continuous purges and executions of officials, political and financial rewards to stalwart followers and a massive national campaign to idolize the dynastic ruler have made Kim’s leadership seemingly stable.But observers questioned the long-term viability of his iron-fisted rule, which could erode public s
Dec. 15, 2013
-
N.K. releases first photos of Kim since purge
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the country’s lavish new ski resort, the country’s official news media said Sunday, as all eyes are on the communist country following its shock execution of the leader’s once-powerful uncle last week.Kim visited the Masik ski report and toured the resort facilities now near completion, the North’s Korean Central News Agency said in an English dispatch, monitored in Seoul.“Noting he is deeply touched when thinking of the soldier-builders devotedly carryi
Dec. 15, 2013
-
[Newsmaker] N.K. leader Kim’s aunt, wife in spotlight
Following the demise of Jang Song-thaek, the once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the whereabouts of the two’s respective wives, Kim Kyoung-hui and Ri Sol-ju, have come under the spotlight.Kim, the leader’s only aunt, and his wife Ri have been out of the public eye for several months, sparking media speculation about their health and relationships with the increasingly coercive ruler.Attention is now being drawn to whether both would appear in public on Tuesday, when Pyongyang
Dec. 15, 2013
-
N.K. envoy to China unaffected by purge
North Korea’s ambassador to China, known to be one of the close aides to leader Kim Jong-un’s recently executed uncle, is conducting his duty as usual, Pyongyang’s state media reported Sunday, despite the political upheaval in the communist country.The North’s Korean Central Broadcasting radio station, monitored in Seoul, reported that Ji Jae-ryong, Pyongyang’s ambassador to China, attended a gathering of former anti-Japan independence fighters and their families held in Beijing. The meeting was
Dec. 15, 2013
-
North Korea purge mirrors those of 20th century
PARIS (AP) ― For people familiar with the way that dictators such as Stalin, Hitler and Mao methodically ousted their opponents, the purging and execution of the No. 2 official in North Korea is nothing new.In recent history, Saddam Hussein also was skilled at such tactics to seize and consolidate his power in Iraq.North Korea’s execution of Kim Jong Un’s uncle in the impoverished, closed and nuclear-armed country suggests that its leader has learned how to rule that way.The execution of Jang So
Dec. 15, 2013
-
Jang’s execution leaves China in delicate position
BEIJING (AP) ― The stunning execution of Kim Jong-un’s powerful uncle strips China of its most important link to North Korea’s leadership and deepens concerns over how the unruly neighbor will proceed on Beijing’s key issues of nuclear disarmament and economic reform.Facing heightened uncertainty, Beijing will likely avoid for now any response that might boost panic or paranoia in Pyongyang, where China is both valued and resented as a key backer of Kim’s regime.“It’s like when you have a gas le
Dec. 15, 2013
-
N. Korea denounces Biden's Asia trip
Days after the stunning execution of leader Kim Jong-un's once-powerful uncle, North Korea belatedly took issue with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's recent trip to Northeast Asia, calling it part of Washington's scheme to contain Pyongyang militarily."It is the U.S. final aim to contain the DPRK and its neighboring countries by force of arms and hold supremacy in Northeast Asia and, furthermore, realize its ambition for world domination," the North's main Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a commen
Dec. 15, 2013
-
More executions may come in North Korea
North Korean businessmen in China have been summoned back to their country in large numbers to touch off speculation that Pyongyang may be preparing for more executions for those who had close ties with Jang Song-thaek, sources familiar with the issue said Saturday.The businessmen worked out of the northeastern Chinese cities of Shenyang and Dandong to facilitate trade between the two countries and attract Chinese investment in North Korea, according to the sources.The top North Korean official
Dec. 14, 2013
-
Defense Ministry bans golfing, boozing
The South Korean military has once again forbidden all serviced members from playing golf and drinking following the latest execution in North Korea, Defense Ministry sources said on Saturday. Officials said while the announcement had not been made public, such a message has been passed on throughout the military in order to keep vigilant.In particular, the ministry ordered the staff to stay out of trouble at year-end parties and other festivities. “Exactly when the ban will be lifted has yet to
Dec. 14, 2013
-
N.K. leader visits military institute after executing uncle
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently inspected a military institute for design in what was Kim’s first public activity since the execution of his uncle, the reclusive nation’s state media said on Saturday.Kim appeared to be determined to showcase his determination to keep a firm grip on the military, according to those watching the situation, as the visit most likely occurred on Friday, one day after Jang Song-thaek was purged for treason. As the uncle of Kim, Jang was once known as the seco
Dec. 14, 2013
-
Beijng warns of restrictions on Pyongyang
China's state media warned on Saturday that Beijing may consider imposing "some restrictions" on its relations with Pyongyang in the wake of North Korea's stunning execution of the once-powerful uncle of leader Kim Jong-un.North Korea said Friday that the 67-year-old uncle, Jang Song-thaek, who had been considered the second most powerful man in the reclusive state, was executed after a special military tribunal found him guilty of treason, marking the biggest political upheaval in the North's c
Dec. 14, 2013
-
Jang’s demise attests to instability, hints at more purges
The sudden announcement of the demise of Kim Jong-un’s uncle underscores the instability and fierce power struggle within the 2-year-old regime and prefigures a string of bloody purges, officials and analysts said Friday. Pyongyang’s state media on Friday released information about the execution of Jang Song-thaek, former vice chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission, for conspiring against Kim, the party and the state. It labeled him a “traitor for all ages” and “worse than a dog.”
Dec. 13, 2013
-
Did Jang’s cockiness lead to his downfall?
In light of the little-expected purge and execution of North Korea’s former No. 2 Jang Song-thaek, some are saying that Jang’s arrogance may have led to his downfall.North Korea, as it sentenced Kim Jong-un’s uncle to death, said that Jang acted in an insolent fashion when Kim was formerly announced as Kim Jong-il’s heir in September 2010. It said that Jang “halfheartedly” clapped his hands for his nephew while the rest of the high-ranking officials erupted in thunderous applause.Several photogr
Dec. 13, 2013
-
Seoul wary of provocations by N. Korea after Jang's execution
Following North Korea's execution of its young leader's once powerful uncle, South Korea's defense chief on Friday pledged to maintain high military vigilance to deter potential provocations by the unpredictable communist regime.The latest move comes after Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency reported that Jang Song-thaek, considered as North Korea's No. 2, was executed on Thursday for treason charges, just four days after he was stripped off all of his posts. "We will heighten readiness again
Dec. 13, 2013
-
Koreas to hold talks on upgrading joint factory park next week
South and North Korea agreed to hold working-level talks next week to discuss ways to upgrade their joint factory park in the North Korean border city of Kaesong, a Seoul official said Friday.The fourth meeting of the Seoul-Pyongyang joint management committee on the Kaesong Industrial Complex will be held on Thursday inside the complex, Seoul's unification ministry spokesman Kim Eyi-do said in a briefing.The agreement was made after the North proposed the date and the South accepted it, he said
Dec. 13, 2013
-
No major impact seen on N. Korea-China ties despite execution of Kim's uncle: expert
The stunning execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's once-powerful uncle, Jang Song-thaek, is unlikely to have a major impact on bilateral relations with China, a Chinese expert said Friday, describing the execution as Pyongyang's "internal affair." North Korea announced earlier in the day that Jang, who had been considered the second most powerful man in the reclusive state, has been executed after a special military tribunal found him guilty of treason."In my personal opinion, it is unl
Dec. 13, 2013