North Korea
Watch this space for the latest updates and news on North Korea. Officially named the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea is led by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, the son of the former supreme leader, Kim Jong-il, and grandson of the first supreme leader, Kim Il-sung. After refusing to agree to a ceasefire in 1953 following the Korean War, both North and South Korea have claimed to be the sole legitimate government of the Korean peninsula.
China's Xi Vows to 'Defend,' 'Develop' North Korea Ties as Kim Rallies Army
"At present the hostile forces systematically keep bolstering up their capabilities for making a preemptive attack on the DPRK and increase armaments while intensifying all sorts of frantic and persistent war drills for aggression," North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un warned.
North and South Korea are Talking Again
Until the Biden administration puts more flesh on the bones of its North Korea policy, it's difficult to see how attempts to improve inter-Korean relations will be anything other than minor or symbolic.
U.S., China See Hope in New North, South Korea Contact on War Anniversary
The U.S. State Department's Jalina Porter called the resumption of contacts between North and South Korea "a positive step."
N Korea Says It Won't Join Talks Amid Food Crisis Until US Drops Hostility
North Korea's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, warned that farming has become a "life or death" issue amid severe food shortages.
Deputy Sec. of State: U.S. 'Offered to Sit and Dialogue' with North Korea
Wendy Sherman has expressed concerns about food security and the COVID pandemic in the isolated country.
The Dictators Who Feature in Netflix Show 'How to Become a Tyrant'
In this new documentary series on Netflix, Peter Dinklage narrates the infamous life stories of some of the most brutal dictators of the 20th century.
Mexico Seeks to Renew Ties With North Korea, Also Backs Cuba Government: FM
North Korea has, like Mexico, thrown its support behind Cuba's government after recent protests in Havana.
South Koreans See Nation as Stronger than North, More Want to Reunite: Poll
Newsweek has obtained unpublished data from the state-sponsored Korea Institute for National Unification's latest opinion survey, including what research fellow Lee Sang Sin called "a very interesting" shift.
North Korea Says Cuba Can 'Smash' U.S. Interference, Declares Support
"We express our full support to and solidarity with all efforts and measures taken by the government and people of Cuba for safeguarding the dignity and sovereignty of the country and defending to the end their fatherland, revolution and gains of socialism," a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
North Korea Reports Shortage of Medicine, Doctors in Rare Admission
While North Korea conceded it faces challenges, its report also raved about the life people in the country live, including its universal health care system.
North Korea Refusing Entrance to Chinese Diplomats, Guarding Border
South Korean officials said North Korea doesn't seem to have any foreign COVID-19 vaccines, and it isn't clear if Kim Jong-un has been vaccinated.
N. Korea Entering 'Lean Period' With Food Shortage of 860K Tons This Year
Released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the report stated that North Korea is expected to produce a "near-average level" of food crop, which is around 5.6 million tons.
Biden Seeks Xi's Help on North Korea Nukes, China Asks U.S. to Hear Kim Out
China's envoy to North Korea "called on the US to take seriously and address the DPRK's legitimate and reasonable concerns" and a State Department spokesperson told Newsweek that Washington and Beijing "need to work together for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
Kim Jong Un Blasts 'Hostile Forces' Trying to Hold China Back
Kim's message came a day after state media said he had told a powerful Politburo meeting that a "crucial" lapse in the anti-virus campaign has caused a "great crisis."
WHO 'Not Aware' of North Korea COVID-19 'Great Crisis,' China Offers Help
"Based on the latest COVID-19 update from the government to WHO (as of 24 June), there are still no COVID-19 cases reported in DPR Korea," a WHO spokesperson told Newsweek.
Kim Jong Un Criticizes Officials for Allowing COVID-19 to Threaten Security
"It's clear that something significant happened and it was big enough to warrant a reprimanding of senior officials," Hong Min, a senior analyst at Seoul's Korea Institute for National Unification said.
Kim Jong Un's Weight Loss Worries North Koreans
A Pyongyang resident revealed his concerns for Kim Jong Un's "emaciated" appearance on state-controlled media.
North Korea's Food Supply in Crisis as Imports from China Drop 90 Percent
Kim Jong-un recently admitted the food situation in North Korea is "getting tense" as imports from China have dropped 90 percent.
North Korea 'Not Considering Even the Possibility' of Contact with U.S.
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon said contact with the U.S. "would get us nowhere, only taking up precious time."
Kim Yo Jong Says U.S. Seeking 'Comfort,' Will be Disappointed With Talks
"It seems that the U.S. may interpret the situation in such a way as to seek a comfort for itself," Kim Yo Jong told the official Korean Central News Agency. "The expectation, which they chose to harbor the wrong way, would plunge them into a greater disappointment."
Kim Jong Un's Sister Says U.S. Faces 'Disappointment' Over Dialog Hopes
Kim Yo Jong said the U.S.. had "wrong" expectations after national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed optimism for over talks with Pyongyang.
N. Korea Likely Culprit in Cyberattack on S. Korea Atomic Energy Institute
North Korean hacking group Kimsuky was one of the IP addresses tracked by an analysis following the cyberattack on the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute.
U.S. Offers to Meet North Korea for Talks After 'Confrontation' Threat
"We continue to hope that the DPRK will respond positively to our outreach and our offer to meet anywhere, anytime without preconditions," Kim said.
China Says Kim Jong Un's Concerns With U.S. 'Should Be Valued' by Biden
"We hope the DPRK and the U.S. can meet each other halfway, earnestly accommodate each other's legitimate concerns on the basis of mutual respect and promote the political settlement of the Peninsula issue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.
Kim Jong Un Health Problems Unlikely Amid Weight Loss: South Korean Analyst
"If he was experiencing health problems, he wouldn't have come out in public to convene the plenary meeting of the Workers' Party's Central Committee,"Hong Min, a senior analyst at Seoul's Korea Institute for National Unification, said.
Kim Jong Un Announces Plan to Bring 'Tangible Change' to N. Korea's Economy
The efforts come after the North Korean economy suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, despite Kim's increasing bid to push the country towards self-reliance.
North Korea Slams Israel Turning Gaza Into 'Huge Human Slaighterhouse'
"Israel's horrific crime of killing the bud-like children, yet to be bloomed, is a severe challenge to the future of humankind and a crime against humanity," said the North Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
North Korea Situation 'Dire,' People Attempt to Sell Possessions for Food
"Everything that we know is anecdotal," Lina Yoon, a North Korea specialist at Human Rights Watch, said. "I have been hearing that the situation is dire. Food accessibility is limited and people are having a hard time accessing daily necessities."
N. Korea 'Bans Skinny Jeans, Piercings' in 'War on Capitalistic Lifestyle'
Recent reports from North Korean media claim that the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, has banned Western fashion trends.
North Korea in a 'Do-or-Die Battle' Against 'Anti-Socialists': Kim Jong Un
Kim Jong Un said: "The struggle against the anti-socialist and non-socialist practices is a do-or-die battle to defend the working-class purity and lifeline of our style of socialism," the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
