Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week
Summary of domestic and international news in North Korea for the week, including Kim Jong-un's trip to China and a Swiss diplomatic visit.
Quick Look
North Korea reported leader Kim Jong-un's surprise visit to China, a Swiss foreign minister's visit amid a new diplomatic office opening, and various military developments and trade fair openings.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
North Korea reported on various domestic and international events over the week, synthesizing state media announcements.
SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of domestic news in North Korea this week.
N. Korea reports leader Kim's surprise visit to China
SEOUL -- North Korea on Sunday confirmed leader Kim Jong-un's surprise visit to China the previous day, a trip that highlights renewed efforts by Pyongyang and Beijing to strengthen bilateral ties.
On Saturday, South Korean government sources said Kim had visited the Chinese border city of Dandong, where he met with Wang Huning, China's fourth-highest-ranking official and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
N. Korea sends letter to UNSC calling DMZ mine blast S. Korean fabrication
SEOUL -- North Korea has sent a letter to the president of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) calling last month's land mine blast near the border an incident "fabricated" by South Korea, Pyongyang's state media reported Monday.
The North's move came less than a week after South Korea sent to the council its own letter calling on North Korea to apologize for the Sept. 21 mine blast that injured three South Korean soldiers and take responsibility for its violation of the Armistice Agreement.
N. Korean officials pay tribute to fallen Chinese soldiers at Friendship Tower
SEOUL -- North Korean officials have paid tribute at the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang in honor of fallen Chinese soldiers, state media reported Monday, after leader Kim Jong-un's surprise day trip to China's Dandong last week.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said senior officials laid wreaths at the monument Sunday to mark the 76th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers' entry into the 1950-53 Korean War.
N. Korea's Kim vows to deepen ties with Vietnam in reply to its leader Lam
SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged to deepen his country's ties with Vietnam in a reply to President To Lam, Pyongyang's state media said Tuesday.
Lam sent a letter to Kim on Sept. 9 to mark the 78th anniversary of North Korea's national founding.
N. Korea opens annual trade fair amid sanctions
SEOUL -- North Korea has opened its autumn trade fair in Pyongyang, state media reported Tuesday, in an apparent move to secure foreign earnings amid international sanctions.
The 18th Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair opened at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on Monday, under the theme of "Common development and prosperity," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
N. Korea's Kim calls for combat readiness at photo session with army company leaders
SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged company commanders to intensify training and sharpen combat readiness, calling it their "primary revolutionary task," state media reported Wednesday.
He made the remark Tuesday at a photo session with participants in the Third Meeting of Company Leaders of the Korean People's Army (KPA), the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
N. Korea promotes Sinuiju's night view after opening bridge to China
SEOUL -- North Korea has begun promoting the new night look of its border city of Sinuiju, following the recent opening of a bridge linking it to China's Dandong.
The Rodong Sinmun, the North's most widely read newspaper, ran an article Thursday on the city's night view, now brightened by new LED lighting, reporting the new look "makes people happy."
N. Korea reports weapons demonstration featuring cruise missiles, rocket launchers, drones
SEOUL -- North Korea has staged a weapons demonstration featuring suicide attack drones, cruise missiles and a super-large multiple rocket launcher, state media reported Friday.
The demonstration was held Thursday in connection with an exhibition on unmanned aerial technology attended by leader Kim Jong-un, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Swiss foreign minister visits N. Korea amid opening of 1st diplomatic office
SEOUL -- Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has arrived in North Korea, Pyongyang's state media reported Friday, as Switzerland has opened its first diplomatic office in the North.
Cassis arrived in Pyongyang the previous day, greeted by North Korean foreign ministry officials, the North's ambassador to Switzerland and others at the airport, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
N. Korea slams S. Korea, U.S.' Freedom Flag air drills, vows to deter with force
SEOUL -- North Korea on Friday denounced the ongoing combined air drills between South Korea and the United States, vowing to "thoroughly" deter the allies' exercise with force, Pyongyang's state media reported.
A spokesperson at North Korea's defense ministry issued the statement as Seoul and Washington launched the biannual Freedom Flag exercise on Monday for a two-week run.
Open Questions
- What specific outcomes resulted from Kim's meeting with Wang Huning?
- What is the agenda for the newly opened Swiss diplomatic office?
