Most Popular
-
1
Opposition-led Assembly unilaterally passes bill to probe Marine's death
-
2
Golden chance to liquidate babies’ gold rings?
-
3
Inflation eases in April, continues bumpy ride
-
4
Seoul to more than double military drones by 2026 to counter NK threats
-
5
Russia sent more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to N. Korea in March: White House
-
6
Seoul alerts overseas missions to NK terror threats
-
7
Over 60% of S. Koreans support W100m childbirth incentive: survey
-
8
Key suspects grilled over alleged abuse of power in Marine death inquiry
-
9
‘Inside Out 2’ adds four new emotions, explores teenage life
-
10
Questions raised over fair promotion of RM, NewJeans
-
S. Koreans in N.K. pay respects to ancestors to mark Chuseok
South Korean workers at the inter-Korean factory park in North Korea's border city of Kaesong marked the Chuseok holiday away from home Thursday by jointly holding ceremonies to pay respects to their ancestors.The Kaesong Industrial District Management Committee, which supports South Korean businesses in the factory park, said it held joint Chuseok rites for 80 to 90 workers who stayed there.Chuseok, the Korean version of Thanksgiving, is a major holiday in both Koreas. On the day, Koreans visit
Sept. 19, 2013
-
U.S. snubs N. Korea's call for 'unconditional' talks
Apparently rebuffing North Korea's call for "unconditional" nuclear talks, the U.S. government urged the communist nation Wednesday to first demonstrate its seriousness on dialogue through action, not just rhetoric."The onus is on North Korea to take meaningful actions toward denuclearization and refrain from provocations," a State Department official said, adding it reflects Washington's formal stance.The official pointed out Pyongyang committed to abandoning all nuclear weapons, including in t
Sept. 19, 2013
-
N. Korea urges resumption of six-party talks 'without preconditions'
North Korea's chief nuclear envoy called for nations involved in the long-stalled talks on the North's nuclear program to resume the multilateral process "without preconditions." "We are ready to enter the six-party talks without preconditions," the North's First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan told a forum organized by China's foreign ministry in Beijing.Kim said "preconditions" set by South Korea and the United States, however, "are in violation of the spirit of the Sept. 19 Joint Statement
Sept. 18, 2013
-
U.S. House passes bill on extending nuclear energy cooperation with S. Korea
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill Tuesday on extending the South Korea-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement for two years.The bill, H.R. 2449, introduced by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, calls for a rollover of the current accord originally scheduled to expire in March next year. Under the legislation, the current "123 agreement" will be effective till March 2016.It is intended to give Seoul and Washington more time to negotiate
Sept. 18, 2013
-
China FM calls for swift resumption of N. Korea nuclear talks
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called for nations involved in the long-stalled six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program to resume the talks "at an early date.""We must seize the opportunity and continue to move toward a better direction" to further ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Wang said during a conference in Beijing, organized by China, to probe ways to re-start the six-way talks aimed at denuclearizing the North.The one-day "seminar" has been arranged by China
Sept. 18, 2013
-
Inter-Korean industrial zone reopens
South Korean factory owners crossed into North Korea on Monday as the joint Gaeseong industrial zone reopened five months after it was shut down by threats of war.After weeks of often spiky negotiations aimed at easing inter-Korean tensions, dozens of cars, trucks and management staff crossed the border shortly after 8:30 a.m.“I hope we can work together well again, just like before,” said the 50-year-old head of a Seoul textile company who declined to be named.The optimistic mood at the border
Sept. 16, 2013
-
N.K. nuclear envoy in China
BEIJING (Yonhap News) ― A senior North Korean diplomat with long experience in negotiations on the North’s nuclear program arrived in Beijing Monday for a series of meetings as China is accelerating its efforts to resume the long-stalled talks aimed at ending Pyongyang’s nuclear ambition. A delegation headed by North Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan made an announced visit to Beijing, nearly three weeks after Kim held talks in Pyongyang with his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei. The
Sept. 16, 2013
-
Gaeseong park begins test-run as Koreas discuss sustainable growth
An inter-Korean factory zone in North Korea began its trial-run production on Monday after a five-month hiatus, as the two Koreas discuss ways to ensure sustainable growth of the joint economic venture.More than half of the 123 South Korean firms with factories at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in the North's eponymous city were set to start trial operations, with the aim of fully normalizing operations thereafter, and have asked North Korean workers to report to work, the Unification Ministry
Sept. 16, 2013
-
N. Korea emboldened by U.S. handling of Syria: Klingner
While dealing with the Syria crisis, the Barack Obama administration once underscored the need to set a precedent for North Korea, Iran and terrorist groups jeopardizing the interests of the U.S. and its regional partners.But concerns are growing that Washington's tactic on Syria may be sending the wrong signal, especially to Pyongyang."The (North Korean) regime is probably heartened by signs of a declining American willingness to intervene overseas even when confronted by evidence of the use of
Sept. 16, 2013
-
N.K. seeks talks for becoming ‘nuclear state,’ U.S. envoy says
WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― North Korea is seeking direct or multilateral negotiations involving the United States in a bid to get recognized as a nuclear state, Washington’s top envoy on Pyongyang said.Amb. Glyn Davies, special representative for North Korea policy, stressed Washington is interested only in talks on denuclearizing the communist nation.“It seems clear that North Korea is attempting to make these talks, when and if they occur in the future, about something very different, which is
Sept. 15, 2013
-
Yongbyon: North Korea’s nuclear heartbeat
The Yongbyon nuclear complex has been the beating heart of North Korea’s nuclear program for more than 50 years ― a source of great domestic pride and even greater global anxiety.The mere suggestion ― based on satellite imagery ― that its main plutonium reactor may be back up and running has been greeted with grave concern and Russian warnings of a Chernobyl-like disaster.The founder of North Korea’s ruling dynasty, Kim Il-sung, launched the country’s nuclear program in the 1950s, sending scient
Sept. 15, 2013
-
N.K. leader doles out ranks of military generals to civilians
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is doling out the ranks of military generals to scientists, ruling party members and other civilians in a move seen as aimed at strengthening his grip on power and reining in the influence of the armed forces, experts said Sunday.On Wednesday, the North's state TV showed footage of Choe Chun-sik, the chief of a science institute, wearing a military uniform with a two-star insignia as it reported on the completion of a housing complex for scientists and technicians
Sept. 15, 2013
-
N. Korea seeks talks for becoming 'nuclear state,' U.S. envoy says
N. Korea seeks talks for becoming 'nuclear state,' U.S. envoy says North Korea is seeking direct or multilateral negotiations involving the United States in a bid to get recognized as a nuclear state, Washington's top envoy on Pyongyang said. Amb. Glyn Davies, special representative for North Korea policy, stressed Washington is interested only in talks on denuclearizing the communist nation. "It seems clear that North Korea is attempting to make these talks, when and if they occur in the fu
Sept. 14, 2013
-
60 years’ longing to reunite
Feisty and ambitious, a 21-year-old Kim Myung-do crossed the border to the South to fulfill his dream of studying literature and becoming a writer. He never thought his choice would see him separated from his whole family for over 60 years. Not a single day has passed without guilt, remorse and longing for the loved ones he left behind in North Korea. “I feel so sorry that I came down alone. They must have gone through enormous hardships,” Kim, now 89, said during an interview at his home in Yon
Sept. 13, 2013
-
Two Koreas gear up for first family reunions in three years
The two Koreas are quickening preparations for the first reunions of separated families in three years by exchanging the lists of participants and readying venues and equipment. One hundred people from each side are scheduled to reunite with their loved ones at Mount Geumgangsan on Sept. 25-30. The finalists are to be announced Monday by the Red Cross. Nearly 100 South Korean engineers and workers are currently staying at the scenic mountain resort to carry out repairs and maintenance on facilit
Sept. 13, 2013
-
South Korea hoists national flag for first time in N.K.
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) ― South Korean weightlifters marched with their national flag at the start of an international competition hosted by bitter rival North Korea ― something of a milestone for two countries that were trading war threats this spring.It’s the first time South Korean athletes have attended an international sports event in North Korea, government officials in Seoul said. Both countries consider themselves the only legitimate government on the Korean Peninsula, which is still
Sept. 13, 2013
-
Koreas exchange lists of reunion candidates
The two Koreas on Friday exchanged lists of candidates for this month’s reunions of separated families. The North’s Red Cross confirmed the survival of 167 people on the list of 250, which was sent on Aug. 29. Excluding the deceased, sick and unwilling, 117 candidates are able to take part in the event on Sept. 25-30 at Mount Geumgangsan, a Unification Ministry official said. The South side said it has also verified the identity and whereabouts of 1,756 members of 149 families, out of 200. It fa
Sept. 13, 2013
-
Koreas to iron out deal on S. Korean workers' rights at Gaeseong talks
South and North Korea will try to work out a deal aimed at enhancing the rights and safety of South Korean workers at their joint factory complex in the communist country in upcoming talks, a government source said Thursday.Talks planned for Friday are expected to touch on issues that were not fully agreed upon during negotiations held earlier in the week. Marathon talks that ended early Wednesday yielded an opening date for the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, effectively ending the five-month-long
Sept. 12, 2013
-
Institute: N. Korea nuclear reactor likely restarting
A recent satellite image appears to show North Korea is restarting a plutonium reactor, in a move that could raise renewed international alarm over its nuclear weapons program, a U.S. research institute said Wednesday.The 5 megawatt reactor at the Nyongbyon nuclear facility was shuttered in 2007 under the terms of a disarmament agreement. Pyongyang announced plans in April to restart it amid a litany of threats toward the U.S. and South Korea after it faced tougher international censure over its
Sept. 12, 2013
-
Koreas to reopen Gaeseong park
The two Koreas agreed Wednesday to reopen their joint industrial park in Gaeseong next Monday, signing a package deal aimed at improving its operations and attracting overseas firms in the future. The agreement was reached after talks lasting 20 hours in the North’s border city that will end a five-month suspension of the last remaining symbol of cross-border cooperation.The delegates issued a five-point statement that outlines plans to set up the panel’s secretariat in Gaeseong this month and i
Sept. 11, 2013