North Korea — Page 3

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Zelenskyy says 50,000 North Korean troops will help Russia in war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised his estimate of North Korean troops that could be deployed to support Russia, now predicting 50,000. Russia’s presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Zelenskyy’s comments, stating it is not for Ukraine to discuss Russia’s plans. Meanwhile, North Korean combat engineers are already involved in mine-clearing operations in the Kursk Region, following a strategic partnership deal between Moscow and Pyongyang.

2 outlets · 2 articles Aug 9

30,000-50,000 N. Koreans to be deployed in Russia: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is preparing to receive an additional 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops for its war in Ukraine, according to Yonhap. He also noted Pyongyang plans to send more missile launchers and that North Korea will gain modern warfare experience. Zelenskyy urged South Korea to cooperate more closely with Ukraine on air defense and drones.

1 outlet · 3 articles Aug 9

Defense ministry reaffirms commitment to swift integration of military academies

President Lee Jae-myung urged the prompt unification of the Army, Navy and Air Force academies, citing the Army academy's history of coups. The defense ministry reaffirmed its commitment this week, despite opposition from alumni groups and former chiefs of staff.

1 outlet · 3 articles Aug 7

N. Korea's state media silent on Thursday's missile launch

North Korea did not report on its short-range ballistic missile launch from Thursday, a departure from its usual practice. South Korea's military detected the launch from Wonsan, and the unification ministry said such omissions have occurred before.

1 outlet · 2 articles Aug 6

North Korea fires ballistic missile, South Korea military says

North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile over the Sea of Japan on Thursday, prompting responses from Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington. The launch follows Pyongyang's criticism of Japan's military build-up and comes ahead of annual US-South Korea joint exercises.

3 outlets · 3 articles Aug 6

Japanese prime minister vows to maintain non-nuclear status

Japan marked the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirming the country's commitment to its three non-nuclear principles. Survivors warned against recent military buildup, while reports noted debates over the principles within the government.

2 outlets · 2 articles Aug 6

(LEAD) N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missile toward East Sea: military

North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Thursday, according to South Korea's military. The launch, which occurred from the Wonsan area around 5 p.m., has been labeled a provocation by Seoul's presidential office. The event comes ahead of planned U.S.-South Korea military exercises and follows a similar test in June.

2 outlets · 5 articles Aug 6

Unification minister defends N. Korea policy after Lee's call for caution

South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has defended his ministry's push for peaceful coexistence with North Korea after President Lee Jae Myung urged caution. The initiative includes dropping the 'main enemy' label and using North Korea's official name, but has faced skepticism from the foreign minister and concerns about being too dovish.

2 outlets · 9 articles Aug 6

FM Cho vows efforts to create conditions for nuclear sub project

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun outlined plans to enhance South Korea's defense and nuclear capabilities, including securing conditions for nuclear-powered submarines and uranium enrichment, in a policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung. He also emphasized strengthening the U.S. alliance and diplomatic outreach to G7, NATO, and ASEAN.

1 outlet · 2 articles Aug 5

North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong issues military threat over Japan missile test

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, issued a military threat in response to Japan's test-firing of a US-made Tomahawk cruise missile, accusing Tokyo of abandoning its defensive posture. The statement, carried by state media KCNA, also criticized US support for Japan's military buildup and condemned security cooperation among the US, South Korea, and Japan.

2 outlets · 2 articles Aug 5

North Korea vows to teach ‘war criminal state’ Japan lesson over missile test

North Korea has warned it will pursue additional military options in response to Japan's expanding defense capabilities, with Kim Yo-jong accusing Tokyo of reviving the ambitions of a 'war criminal state.' The statement, issued through state media, cites Japan's Tomahawk missile test and participation in U.S.-led drills as evidence of military expansion.

2 outlets · 2 articles Aug 5

South Korea’s Lee calls heatwave national disaster, deaths rise to 19

South Korea's president has declared a record-breaking heatwave a national disaster, with temperatures hitting a 122-year high. Reports from multiple outlets indicate at least 16 to 21 deaths and thousands of heat-related illnesses, while a Tokyo zoo reports lion deaths.

4 outlets · 5 articles Aug 4

(LEAD) New U.S. Ambassador Steel meets FM Cho, submits credentials

Michelle Park Steel, the new U.S. ambassador to South Korea, officially began her duties by submitting credentials to the foreign ministry and meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. The two discussed strengthening bilateral relations amid pending issues such as tensions over Coupang's data breach and Seoul's investment pledges. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac also met with Steel for the first time.

1 outlet · 4 articles Aug 4

Former U.S. envoy urges U.S. to ease N.K. travel ban, citing its impact on aid workers

Robert King, a former U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights, has called for easing the long-standing travel ban to North Korea, arguing that it hinders humanitarian assistance. The State Department, however, reaffirmed the ban, citing risks of arrest and detention.

1 outlet · 2 articles Aug 3

U.S. drone mix-up caused by communication error at working level: official

A South Korean military official said a U.S. drone flight over the inter-Korean border area last week was the result of a communication error between working-level personnel. The incident, which nearly led to a shoot-down, followed a similar mishap involving the same unit, prompting an opposition lawmaker to call for the defense minister's resignation.

1 outlet · 4 articles Aug 3

New security support unit launched in counterintelligence overhaul

South Korea's defense ministry has launched a new security support unit to oversee internal military security, part of a sweeping reform following the dismantling of the Defense Counterintelligence Command. The move follows cabinet approval of decrees that disperse the command's functions and strip the military of its surveillance and personnel intelligence authority.

1 outlet · 2 articles Aug 3

Pain or gain? US moves to decouple its defence industry from China’s rare earths

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on July 20 requiring US arms manufacturers to trace and phase out Chinese rare earths from their supply chains, aiming to reduce dependence on Beijing for defence-related critical minerals. Contractors must shift away from China-linked sources starting in January 2027, with China controlling about two-thirds of global rare earth mining and 90% of refining.

1 outlet · 2 articles Aug 1

Temperatures rise above 40 C for 4th straight day in southeast to set new record

A record heatwave has swept across the Korean Peninsula, with temperatures in South Korea reaching a new all-time high of 42.5°C in Yangsan. At least 14 deaths have been linked to the heat since mid-May, prompting the government to activate emergency response measures.

2 outlets · 4 articles Aug 1

Western allies warn North Korean IT workers funding nuclear arsenal

Eleven countries, including the US, South Korea and Japan, issued a joint alert warning that North Korean IT workers, using stolen identities and AI, generate revenue for Pyongyang's weapons programmes. North Korea rejected the alert as 'false information' and accused the US of militarizing cyberspace.

2 outlets · 3 articles Jul 31

KCNA says US military headquarters in Japan turns into ‘war command’

North Korea's state media, KCNA, has criticized the US Forces Japan (USFJ) for expanding its command structure, calling the move a 'sinister' plan for 'an all-out war in the Asia Pacific region.' The criticism follows the USFJ commander's comments about increasing personnel and preparing for a potential regional crisis.

2 outlets · 2 articles Jul 31