Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Monday appeared to confirm that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is alive, saying he wished him well after days of speculation over the dictator’s whereabouts. Asked if he had new information about Kim’s health, Trump said “yes, I do have a very good …
Read More »What would happen to North Korea if Kim Jong Un died
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has not been seen in public for more than two weeks, missing commemorations for a key political anniversary, and reports he underwent a cardiovascular procedure have spiralled into speculation he could be incapacitated or even dead. Both Seoul and …
Read More »North Korea’s Kim ‘alive and well’: Seoul
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is “alive and well”, a top security adviser to the South’s President Moon Jae-in said, downplaying rumours over Kim’s health following his absence from a key anniversary. Conjecture over Kim has grown since his conspicuous no-show at April 15 …
Read More »North Korea’s Kim reshuffles top governing body
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has carried out a major reshuffle of his State Affairs Commission, official media reported Monday, replacing more than a third of its members. Kim has established an iron grip on the levers of authority in his nuclear-armed country since …
Read More »Extreme isolation: world’s last virus-free corners hold tight
Koror, Palau | AFP | A coronavirus-free tropical island nestled in the northern Pacific may seem the perfect place to ride out a pandemic — but residents on Palau say life right now is far from idyllic. The microstate of 18,000 people is among a dwindling number of places on Earth …
Read More »N. Korea’s Kim discusses bolstering military as deadline approaches
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korean leader Kim Jong Un discussed strengthening his country’s military capability with top military officials, state media reported Sunday, with Pyongyang’s end-of-year deadline for the US to offer concessions approaching. The North promised an ominous “Christmas gift” earlier this month if Washington does …
Read More »‘Old man’ Trump is ‘bluffing’ says North Korea
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea on Monday slammed US President Trump for “bluffing” and called him “an old man bereft of patience” as Pyongyang ramps up pressure on Washington over stalled nuclear talks. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un engaged in mutual insults and threats of …
Read More »North Korea ‘no longer interested’ in summits with US: KCNA
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea is “no longer interested” in summits with the US unless Washington offers new concessions in their nuclear negotiations, Pyongyang said Monday, hours after Donald Trump hinted at the prospect. “You should act quickly, get the deal done,” Trump tweeted Sunday, referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong …
Read More »North Korea calls Biden ‘rabid dog’ that ‘must be beaten to death’
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea has launched a visceral diatribe against US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, calling the former vice-president a “rabid dog” — while also borrowing the terminology of Donald Trump. Pyongyang is renowned for its vitriol, but the verbal deluge was unusually ferocious even by …
Read More »North Korea slams Europeans over criticism of missile test
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea on Thursday slammed a statement by European UN Security Council members urging strict enforcement of sanctions against Pyongyang for its latest missile test, calling the move a “serious provocation”. Pyongyang fired a sea-launched missile on October 2 in the latest — and most …
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