North Korea's state media emphasized economic achievements, reporting a 105% rise in industrial output since February's party congress. This highlights progress ahead of a key WPK plenary meeting to review first-half policies.
North Korea is strategically defending its nuclear arsenal by leveraging the global superpower rivalry, particularly between the US and China. As the Iran conflict concludes, Pyongyang anticipates renewed denuclearization pressure and seeks support from Russia and China to legitimize its weapons program and secure economic/military aid.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message and flower basket to Chinese President Xi Jinping on his 73rd birthday. The gesture follows Xi's recent state visit to Pyongyang, where both leaders agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation.
Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea focused on strengthening ties and coordinating responses to a changing world, rather than denuclearization. The summit emphasized expanding economic cooperation, restoring trade disrupted by COVID-19, and highlighted North Korea's growing diplomatic role.
A South Korean cardinal stated that Pope Leo XIV's potential visit to North Korea depends on Pyongyang's invitation and conditions, emphasizing the Pope's willingness to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korean Public Security Minister Pang Tu-sop met with his Vietnamese counterpart, Luong Tam Quang, in Pyongyang to discuss expanding cooperation on public security and law enforcement. The meeting, reported by KCNA, follows a series of high-level visits between the two nations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang suggests China is moving towards accepting North Korea's nuclear status, mirroring Russia's stance. This isolates the US in its denuclearization policy, potentially leading to increased tensions.
South Korean Ambassador Ham Sang-wook stated that escalating geopolitical tensions and bloc politics are complicating multilateral diplomacy in Vienna, making the global environment surrounding North Korea's nuclear program more complex. He called for strengthened solidarity among like-minded nations to support multilateralism in addressing interconnected security challenges.
South Korea's presidential office stated that North Korea's denuclearization is a consistent international goal, responding to Pyongyang's criticism of Seoul and Washington reaffirming their shared objective. The official emphasized that extended deterrence cooperation is aligned with nonproliferation norms.
Blockchain security firm Quantstamp suspects North Korea-linked actors in the recent $36 million token theft from Humanity Protocol. A phishing email with a malicious attachment, disguised as a Bithumb update and signed with a South Korean digital certificate, led to malware installation and theft of tokens.
Blockchain security firm Quantstamp suspects North Korea-linked hackers in the recent $36 million theft of Humanity Protocol tokens. A phishing email with a malicious attachment, disguised as a Bithumb update and signed with a South Korean digital certificate, led to malware installation and theft of private keys.
President Lee Jae Myung expressed belief in the "ember of hope" for dialogue with North Korea during a peace Mass in Rome. He reaffirmed efforts to establish peace, citing the 2000 inter-Korean joint statement as a historic turning point.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Russia on Russia Day, pledging "unwavering support" and stating that North Korea would "always stand together with the Russian Federation." He described the bilateral relationship as strengthening into "sincere and devoted relations of comradely trust and alliance."
North Korea declared denuclearization an "irreversibly finalized" matter, criticizing recent South Korea-U.S. talks that reaffirmed the goal. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that mentioning disarmament is a "fantastic daydream" and that U.S. rhetoric cannot change North Korea's nuclear status.
North Korea is the biggest beneficiary of the "implicit rivalry" between China and Russia for influence, according to Patricia Kim of the Brookings Institution. She stated that neither Beijing nor Moscow is pressuring Pyongyang to denuclearize, which is a significant strategic win for Kim Jong-un.
North Korea's Foreign Ministry condemned the US approval of an arms sale to South Korea, warning it will escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. A ministry official stated that Washington's arms exports are war exports and vowed to strengthen Pyongyang's self-defense deterrence.
North Korea's Foreign Ministry criticized the South Korea-EU joint statement, calling it a betrayal of peace and vowing to continue its hostile policy towards Seoul. The statement condemned North Korea's nuclear status and military cooperation with Russia.
North Korea has denounced the US approval of advanced air-to-air missile sales to South Korea, labeling them "war exports" and warning of escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang criticized the move as part of a broader US strategy to increase military collusion and confrontation in the region.
North Korea's foreign ministry declared South Korea an "invariable enemy state" and a "hostile state" in response to a joint statement by Seoul and the EU condemning Pyongyang's military cooperation with Russia. The North Korean statement called the joint declaration an "infringement on sovereignty" and a "grave hostile act."
North Korea's Foreign Ministry, through its 'Department 10' spokesperson, criticized the joint statement from the South Korea-EU summit, calling the 'peaceful two-state theory' a deception. The statement declared South Korea as the 'primary hostile state' and 'America's dagger' for invading Korea and the Asian continent, asserting that North Korea's principle of hostility towards the South will not change.
South Korea, the United States, and Japan held trilateral meetings in Tokyo this week to discuss North Korean affairs, including its nuclear and missile development, and Russia-North Korea military cooperation. Officials also reviewed progress on trilateral cooperation in security, economy, and technology.
China expressed strong dissatisfaction with the US adding Chinese companies to a Pentagon list, North Korea condemned the US sale of missiles to South Korea, and India summoned the US envoy twice over attacks on commercial ships off Oman that killed Indian sailors.
South Korea, the US, and Japan held consultations in Tokyo on May 12 regarding North Korea. The officials shared assessments of the Korean Peninsula and regional situations, reaffirmed the goal of complete denuclearization, and discussed cooperation for peace and stability. The meeting also addressed China's Xi Jinping's recent visit to North Korea and the growing military ties between North Korea and Russia.
North Korea's Foreign Ministry condemned the US approval of advanced air-to-air missile sales to South Korea, warning of escalating tensions. Meanwhile, India summoned the US charge d'affaires for the second time in two days to protest US attacks on commercial ships off Oman, which killed three Indian sailors.
