Inter-Korean News Summary: Coal Exports, Aid, and Denuclearization Efforts

The following is a summary of inter-Korean news this week.

N. Korea exports 1.5 mln tons of coal in 2025 despite sanctions: lawmaker

SEOUL -- North Korea continued illegal exports of coal and minerals last year in violation of United Nations sanctions, with coal exports reaching 1.5 million tons, a lawmaker said Sunday, citing South Korea's spy agency.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) assessed that North Korea's imports of refined oil from China and Russia in 2025 also exceeded seven times the 500,000-barrel cap set by the U.N., according to Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the main opposition People Power Party.

Jeju Province sends dialysis machines, citrus saplings, other supplies to N. Korea

JEJU -- The Jeju provincial government said Monday it has recently sent dialysis machines, tangerine saplings and other supplies to North Korea as part of an inter-Korean cooperation project.

The items, worth 160 million won (US$104,000), arrived in North Korea's western port of Nampho on May 4 after they were shipped from South Korea's western port of Incheon on April 1 via the Chinese port of Dalian, according to the province.

Lee reiterates need to halt N.K.'s nuclear, missile buildup as 'realistic' short-term goal

SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung stressed Monday efforts to induce North Korea to halt its expanding nuclear and missile programs as a realistic short-term goal, citing the "reality" of the regime's advancing military capabilities posing a threat to regional and global security.

In a press conference marking his first year in office, Lee noted that while the ultimate goal of denuclearizing the North should remain unchanged, it would be irresponsible to disregard the reality that Pyongyang sees little incentive to relinquish its nuclear arsenal.

Seoul reaffirms goal of denuclearizing Korean Peninsula following Kim-Xi summit

SEOUL -- The South Korean foreign ministry on Tuesday reaffirmed its goal of denuclearizing North Korea, following a summit between the leaders of Pyongyang and Beijing in which the subject apparently was not discussed.

In their summit held Monday in Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to expand cooperation in various fields, according to Pyongyang's state media. Notably absent, however, was any mention of nuclear issues or the broader situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Unification ministry takes note of Xi's call for expanded military ties with Pyongyang

SEOUL -- South Korea's unification ministry on Tuesday flagged Chinese President Xi Jinping's call for expanded military cooperation between Beijing and Pyongyang as something worth watching closely.

"It was the first known case in which the subject has been raised publicly," a ministry official said, adding Seoul was monitoring the situation for any developments.

Lee says Iran war makes N. Korea less likely to give up nukes

SEOUL -- The U.S.-Iran war has made North Korea even less likely to give up its nuclear weapons program, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said in an interview published Wednesday.

Lee made the remark in a recent interview with The Economist on the occasion of the first anniversary of his inauguration, adding the "unique personality" of U.S. President Trump can be "very helpful" in bringing the North back to dialogue.

Lee's peace policy can improve N. Korea's human rights conditions: unification ministry

SEOUL -- Seoul's push to seek peaceful coexistence with North Korea is a path that can ultimately and effectively improve human rights conditions in the North, the unification ministry said Thursday.

"The Lee Jae Myung government believes fostering inter-Korean peace and expanding dialogue, exchange and cooperation are more effective in bringing about real improvements in North Korean human rights," a ministry official told reporters.