North Korean launched yet another projectile. According to the reports, the North Korean projectiles launched early Friday are believed to be short-range ballistic missiles, Kyodo News reported, citing unnamed Japanese government officials.

North Korea: 3rd missile test in over a week

North Korea test more missiles, South Korea holds emergency meeting

North Korea has<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-short-range-ballistic-missiles-south-korean-military-239597"> tested a new rocket system</a> in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday.

Korean Central News Agency reported that the North Korean leader "guided a test-fire of a newly developed large-calibre multiple launch guided rocket system on July 31."

"The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolton-says-north-korea-tests-didnt-violate-pledge-to-trump-but-no-word-on-talks-239809"> test-fire </a>scientifically confirmed that the tactical data and technical characteristics of the new-type large-calibre guided ordnance rocket reached the numerical values of its design, and verified the combat effectiveness of the overall system," the report added, as cited by Yonhap news agency.

South Korean military on Wednesday had assessed that the communist nation had fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast.&nbsp;

Following the development, the South Korean National Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the tests and express their concerns.

The recent developments had come less than a month after Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a surprise meeting at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom and agreed to resume working-level nuclear negotiations to push forward Pyongyang`s denuclearisation process.&nbsp;

North Korea has tested a new rocket system in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday. Korean Central News Agency reported that the North Korean leader "guided a test-fire of a newly developed large-calibre multiple launch guided rocket system on July 31.

North Korea has tested a new rocket system in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday. Korean Central News Agency reported that the North Korean leader "guided a test-fire of a newly developed large-calibre multiple launch guided rocket system on July 31." "The test-fire scientifically confirmed that the tactical data and technical characteristics of the new-type large-calibre guided ordnance rocket reached the numerical values of its design, and verified the combat effectiveness of the overall system," the report added, as cited by Yonhap news agency. South Korean military on Wednesday had assessed that the communist nation had fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast. Following the development, the South Korean National Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the tests and express their concerns. The recent developments had come less than a month after Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a surprise meeting at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom and agreed to resume working-level nuclear negotiations to push forward Pyongyang`s denuclearisation process.

North Korea test-fired new rocket system under Kim's supervision: State media

According to reports, North Korea has launched two short-range ballistic missiles from the eastern coast. Watch this video to know more.

North Korea's 2nd warning to Seoul

South Korea's military said that North Korea conducted its second missile test in less than a week Wednesday, firing two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast in a move that could be aimed at boosting pressure on the United States. Watch this video to know more.

South Koreans remain unfazed by North Korea's missile test

North Korea fired two short-range missiles early on Thursday from its eastern coast, South Korea's military said. It is the first missile test since leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks. Watch this video to know more.

South Korean military: North Korea fired two missiles into sea

North Korea has conducted new missile tests, raising further tensions on the Korean peninsula. South Korea has described the launches as a security threat. Watch this video to know more.

South Korea calls North Korea missile tests as a security threat

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democracy-dprk-style-north-korea-holds-election-202292">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> voted in nationwide local elections on Sunday that registered the near 100 per cent turnout claimed for every ballot held in the nuclear-armed state.

Given the absence of any competition among candidates, elections in the North are essentially a political ritual which, observers say, allows the authorities to claim a popular mandate while reinforcing loyalty to Kim's regime.

The 99.98 per cent turnout this year was a 0.01 per cent improvement on the figures registered in 2015.

Watch: Election of local representatives in North Korea

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/election-of-local-representatives-in-north-korea-237445/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Only those overseas "on foreign tour or working in oceans" were unable to vote, the North's state-run agency KCNA reported Sunday, adding that even "voters troubled with aging or illness cast their ballots into mobile ballot boxes".&nbsp;

The isolated nation holds local elections every four years to elect representatives to provincial, city and county assemblies. Typically, 99 per cent of voters in the de facto single-party state take part in the polls and 99 per cent of them cast "yes" votes for uncontested candidates.

The regime touts the high turnout as an example of its "single-minded unity" to glorify the "Korean-style people-centred socialism".&nbsp;

Kim visited a polling station in North Hamgyong province and voted for two candidates named Ju Song Ho and Jong Song Sik running for county assemblies in the area, KCNA reported. &nbsp;

He "warmly encouraged them to become the faithful servants of the people by fulfilling their duties to live up to the anticipation of the people, being aware of being the representatives of the people", KCNA said. &nbsp;

Kim himself ran in 2014 for the rubber-stamp legislature known as the Supreme People's Assembly, managing a perfect turnout with 100 per cent of votes in his favour.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un voted in nationwide local elections on Sunday that registered the near 100 per cent turnout claimed for every ballot held in the nuclear-armed state.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un voted in nationwide local elections on Sunday that registered the near 100 per cent turnout claimed for every ballot held in the nuclear-armed state. Given the absence of any competition among candidates, elections in the North are essentially a political ritual which, observers say, allows the authorities to claim a popular mandate while reinforcing loyalty to Kim's regime. The 99.98 per cent turnout this year was a 0.01 per cent improvement on the figures registered in 2015. Watch: Election of local representatives in North Korea Only those overseas "on foreign tour or working in oceans" were unable to vote, the North's state-run agency KCNA reported Sunday, adding that even "voters troubled with aging or illness cast their ballots into mobile ballot boxes". The isolated nation holds local elections every four years to elect representatives to provincial, city and county assemblies. Typically, 99 per cent of voters in the de facto single-party state take part in the polls and 99 per cent of them cast "yes" votes for uncontested candidates. The regime touts the high turnout as an example of its "single-minded unity" to glorify the "Korean-style people-centred socialism". Kim visited a polling station in North Hamgyong province and voted for two candidates named Ju Song Ho and Jong Song Sik running for county assemblies in the area, KCNA reported. He "warmly encouraged them to become the faithful servants of the people by fulfilling their duties to live up to the anticipation of the people, being aware of being the representatives of the people", KCNA said. Kim himself ran in 2014 for the rubber-stamp legislature known as the Supreme People's Assembly, managing a perfect turnout with 100 per cent of votes in his favour.

North Korea leader votes in elections with 99.98 per cent turnout: Report

Talks on getting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-hopes-us-north-korea-can-be-more-creative-in-nuclear-talks-236358">North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons</a> are at risk because the United States looks set to break a promise not to hold military exercises with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-koreas-acquisition-of-us-f-35-fighter-aimed-at-opening-gate-to-invade-north-north-korea-state-media-234830">South Korea</a>, North Korea said on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump revitalised efforts to persuade the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/north-korea-remembers-kim-il-sung-on-25-death-anniversary-233997">North</a> to give up its nuclear weapons last month when he arranged a spur-of-the-moment meeting with North Korea`s Kim Jong Un on the border between the two Koreas.

Trump said they had agreed to resume so-called working-level talks, stalled since their second summit in February collapsed. The negotiations are expected in the coming weeks.

But a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman cast doubt on that, saying the United States and South Korea were pressing ahead with exercises called Dong Maeng this summer, which he called a "rehearsal for war".

"We will make a decision regarding working-level talks with the United States while watching US moves going forward," the spokesman said in a statement carried by the North's official KCNA news agency.

The exercises are expected in August.

North Korea has for years denounced military exercises between the United States and South Korea.

"It is clear that the exercises are a real-time training, rehearsal for war to militarily crush our republic," the North Korean spokesman said in a separate statement, adding that Trump has reaffirmed at last month`s meeting with Kim that the exercises would be halted.

Trump, in his first meeting with Kim in Singapore in June last year, said he would stop exercises, after the two leaders agreed to work towards the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and to improve ties.

While the main annual South Korean-US exercises have been stopped, they still hold smaller drills.

Since the Singapore summit, North Korea has not tested any nuclear weapons or intercontinental ballistic missiles, though it tested new short-range missiles in May.

"As the United States is failing to follow through on its own commitment, the reasoning for us to remain in the agreement is fading away," the North Korean spokesman said, referring to a declaration the two leaders agreed to at their Singapore summit.

Talks on getting North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons are at risk because the United States looks set to break a promise not to hold military exercises with South Korea, North Korea said on Tuesday.

Talks on getting North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons are at risk because the United States looks set to break a promise not to hold military exercises with South Korea, North Korea said on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump revitalised efforts to persuade the North to give up its nuclear weapons last month when he arranged a spur-of-the-moment meeting with North Korea`s Kim Jong Un on the border between the two Koreas. Trump said they had agreed to resume so-called working-level talks, stalled since their second summit in February collapsed. The negotiations are expected in the coming weeks. But a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman cast doubt on that, saying the United States and South Korea were pressing ahead with exercises called Dong Maeng this summer, which he called a "rehearsal for war". "We will make a decision regarding working-level talks with the United States while watching US moves going forward," the spokesman said in a statement carried by the North's official KCNA news agency. The exercises are expected in August. North Korea has for years denounced military exercises between the United States and South Korea. "It is clear that the exercises are a real-time training, rehearsal for war to militarily crush our republic," the North Korean spokesman said in a separate statement, adding that Trump has reaffirmed at last month`s meeting with Kim that the exercises would be halted. Trump, in his first meeting with Kim in Singapore in June last year, said he would stop exercises, after the two leaders agreed to work towards the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and to improve ties. While the main annual South Korean-US exercises have been stopped, they still hold smaller drills. Since the Singapore summit, North Korea has not tested any nuclear weapons or intercontinental ballistic missiles, though it tested new short-range missiles in May. "As the United States is failing to follow through on its own commitment, the reasoning for us to remain in the agreement is fading away," the North Korean spokesman said, referring to a declaration the two leaders agreed to at their Singapore summit.

Nuclear talks at risk if US-South Korea exercises go ahead: North Korea

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-president-donald-trump-and-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-have-to-find-real-common-ground-233182&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjC0JSz_7jjAhWDAYgKHUywD3AQFjAGegQIChAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ds6wbSgjNbNWme2mwF0XN">North Korea and the United States</a> could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

Speaking in a radio interview on "The Sean Hannity Show," Pompeo did not say when the negotiations would resume. At the end of June he had said it would likely happen "sometime in July ... probably in the next two or three weeks."

President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month. During the meeting, Trump became the first sitting US president to cross into North Korea, and he said the pair agreed to restart working-level talks.

Trump and Kim have met three times and held two summits over the nuclear issue.

The talks in Hanoi in February collapsed without agreement, as the United States insisted North Korea completely denuclearize and North Korea pushed for relief from sanctions.

"I hope the North Koreans will come to the table with ideas that they didn't have the first time," Pompeo said in Monday's radio interview. "We hope we can be a little more creative too."

However, Pompeo added: "The president's mission hasn't changed: to fully and finally denuclearize North Korea in a way that we can verify. That's the mission set for these negotiations."

While Trump's latest meeting with Kim demonstrated a rapport between the two, policy analysts say the two sides appear no closer to narrowing their differences. They have yet even to agree a common definition of denuclearisation, which North Korea has taken to include the US. nuclear umbrella protecting Japan and South Korea.

Washington has demanded that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally, and US officials have said US policy continues to be to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons.

Ahead of February's failed summit in Hanoi, US officials had raised the possibility that while sanctions would remain, they might be willing to take interim steps such as boosting humanitarian aid or opening liaison offices.

But at the summit they rejected North Korea's offer to dismantle its reactor complex at Yongbyon in exchange for wide-ranging sanctions relief, and the steps Washington has so far offered have fallen far short of North Korean expectations.

Pompeo's latest remarks come after Chinese President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-xi-g20-meeting-us-china-resume-talks-to-resolve-trade-war-234508&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiWwdLL_7jjAhVEQd4KHa34A6EQFjAEegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Kbel3-LoEHEp2PyW1q8vW">Xi Jinping</a> urged Trump to show flexibility in dealing with Pyongyang and to ease sanctions on the country "in due course."

China, North Korea's neighbour and main ally, signed up for UN sanctions after the North Koreans performed repeated nuclear and missile tests, but has suggested they could be reduced in return for denuclearisation steps.

South Korean officials have expressed uncertainty that the talks between the United States and North Korea can take place this month.

On Sunday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed diplomatic sources as saying that the United States had proposed to North Korea that working-level talks be held this week and was awaiting a response.

North Korea has frozen missile and nuclear bomb testing since 2017, but US officials believe Pyongyang has continued to expand its arsenal by producing bomb fuel and missiles.

The State Department said last week it would hope to see a complete freeze in the North Korean nuclear programme as the start of a process of denuclearisation.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both North Korea and the United States could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both North Korea and the United States could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. Speaking in a radio interview on "The Sean Hannity Show," Pompeo did not say when the negotiations would resume. At the end of June he had said it would likely happen "sometime in July ... probably in the next two or three weeks." President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month. During the meeting, Trump became the first sitting US president to cross into North Korea, and he said the pair agreed to restart working-level talks. Trump and Kim have met three times and held two summits over the nuclear issue. The talks in Hanoi in February collapsed without agreement, as the United States insisted North Korea completely denuclearize and North Korea pushed for relief from sanctions. "I hope the North Koreans will come to the table with ideas that they didn't have the first time," Pompeo said in Monday's radio interview. "We hope we can be a little more creative too." However, Pompeo added: "The president's mission hasn't changed: to fully and finally denuclearize North Korea in a way that we can verify. That's the mission set for these negotiations." While Trump's latest meeting with Kim demonstrated a rapport between the two, policy analysts say the two sides appear no closer to narrowing their differences. They have yet even to agree a common definition of denuclearisation, which North Korea has taken to include the US. nuclear umbrella protecting Japan and South Korea. Washington has demanded that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally, and US officials have said US policy continues to be to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons. Ahead of February's failed summit in Hanoi, US officials had raised the possibility that while sanctions would remain, they might be willing to take interim steps such as boosting humanitarian aid or opening liaison offices. But at the summit they rejected North Korea's offer to dismantle its reactor complex at Yongbyon in exchange for wide-ranging sanctions relief, and the steps Washington has so far offered have fallen far short of North Korean expectations. Pompeo's latest remarks come after Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Trump to show flexibility in dealing with Pyongyang and to ease sanctions on the country "in due course." China, North Korea's neighbour and main ally, signed up for UN sanctions after the North Koreans performed repeated nuclear and missile tests, but has suggested they could be reduced in return for denuclearisation steps. South Korean officials have expressed uncertainty that the talks between the United States and North Korea can take place this month. On Sunday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed diplomatic sources as saying that the United States had proposed to North Korea that working-level talks be held this week and was awaiting a response. North Korea has frozen missile and nuclear bomb testing since 2017, but US officials believe Pyongyang has continued to expand its arsenal by producing bomb fuel and missiles. The State Department said last week it would hope to see a complete freeze in the North Korean nuclear programme as the start of a process of denuclearisation.

Mike Pompeo hopes US, North Korea can be 'more creative' in nuclear talks

An Australian student who was expelled from North Korea denied on Tuesday that he had been spying on the authoritarian state while he lived there.

Alek Sigley, 29, was released last week after being detained for several days, with Pyongyang later accusing him of promoting propaganda against the country online.

"The allegation that I am a spy is (pretty obviously) false," he wrote on Twitter, adding that he was "well both mentally and physically".

"I am still very interested in North Korea and want to continue academic research and other work related to the country. But I currently have no plans to visit the country again, at least in the short term," he wrote.

The tweets were the first comments addressing the incident from Sigley, who speaks fluent Korean and had been one of just a handful of Westerners living and studying in North Korea.

His disappearance, which prompted deep concern about his fate, came just days before a G20 summit and a landmark meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

After he was released and flew to Japan, North Korean state media published a report saying the country had deported the student for spying.

"I may never again walk the streets of Pyongyang, a city that holds a very special place in my heart," Sigley, who speaks fluent Korean, tweeted Tuesday.

"I may never again see my teachers and my partners in the travel industry, whom I've come to consider close friends. But that's life."

From the capital, Sigley organised tours to the country and ran a number of social media sites which posted a stream of apolitical content about life in one of the world's most secretive nations.

His blog posts focused on everyday Pyongyang -- from the city's dining scene to North Korean app reviews -- and he married his Japanese wife there last year.

He also wrote columns for specialist website NK News, which North Korean state media called an anti-regime news outlet in its report on Saturday.

NK News has released a statement denying the accusations, which the student said he stood by.&nbsp;

He said the "only material" he gave to the news site and other outlets was what was published.&nbsp;

His case was complicated by Australia's lack of diplomatic representation in North Korea, with the Swedish envoy helping to negotiate his release.

On Twitter, Sigley said he would not be speaking to the press or answering questions about the events on social media, having said on Friday he was planning to "return to normal life".

In 2016, University of Virginia student Otto Warmbier, who was imprisoned during a tour of North Korea, died days after arriving back in the United States.

Doctors said Warmbier suffered severe brain damage while in detention and fell into a coma before his death aged 22.

An Australian student who was expelled from North Korea denied on Tuesday that he had been spying on the authoritarian state while he lived there. Alek Sigley, 29, was released last week after being detained for several days, with Pyongyang later accusing him of promoting propaganda against the country online.

An Australian student who was expelled from North Korea denied on Tuesday that he had been spying on the authoritarian state while he lived there. Alek Sigley, 29, was released last week after being detained for several days, with Pyongyang later accusing him of promoting propaganda against the country online. "The allegation that I am a spy is (pretty obviously) false," he wrote on Twitter, adding that he was "well both mentally and physically". "I am still very interested in North Korea and want to continue academic research and other work related to the country. But I currently have no plans to visit the country again, at least in the short term," he wrote. The tweets were the first comments addressing the incident from Sigley, who speaks fluent Korean and had been one of just a handful of Westerners living and studying in North Korea. His disappearance, which prompted deep concern about his fate, came just days before a G20 summit and a landmark meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. After he was released and flew to Japan, North Korean state media published a report saying the country had deported the student for spying. "I may never again walk the streets of Pyongyang, a city that holds a very special place in my heart," Sigley, who speaks fluent Korean, tweeted Tuesday. "I may never again see my teachers and my partners in the travel industry, whom I've come to consider close friends. But that's life." From the capital, Sigley organised tours to the country and ran a number of social media sites which posted a stream of apolitical content about life in one of the world's most secretive nations. His blog posts focused on everyday Pyongyang -- from the city's dining scene to North Korean app reviews -- and he married his Japanese wife there last year. He also wrote columns for specialist website NK News, which North Korean state media called an anti-regime news outlet in its report on Saturday. NK News has released a statement denying the accusations, which the student said he stood by. He said the "only material" he gave to the news site and other outlets was what was published. His case was complicated by Australia's lack of diplomatic representation in North Korea, with the Swedish envoy helping to negotiate his release. On Twitter, Sigley said he would not be speaking to the press or answering questions about the events on social media, having said on Friday he was planning to "return to normal life". In 2016, University of Virginia student Otto Warmbier, who was imprisoned during a tour of North Korea, died days after arriving back in the United States. Doctors said Warmbier suffered severe brain damage while in detention and fell into a coma before his death aged 22.

Australian student expelled from North Korea denies spying

U.S calls for meet after Tehran breaches N-Deal. IAEA board of governers represent 35 nations. Experts said ''We have no idea that what this meeting will achieve''. Parties to the N-Deal already have a separate forum. Watch this video to know more.

U.S calls for IAEA emergency meet

U.S. calls for IAEA emergency meet

If There Is One Thing That's Constant In Trump's Foreign Policy, It Is Unpredictability

Gravitas: From Iran to North Korea, Trump has used the 'Shock & Awe' Policy

President Trump Makes History, Becomes The First U.S. President To Enter North Korea

Gravitas: Trump: Statesman or Stuntman?

Demilitarised Zone: A look at the world's last Cold War frontier

Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/donald-trump-meets-kim-jong-un-becomes-first-sitting-united-states-president-to-set-foot-in-north-korea-231748">meeting in the Korean Demilitarized Zone</a> produced a barrage of headlines and images, but left analysts questioning whether it was a small step for publicity or a giant leap for peace.

The impromptu encounter saw Trump briefly crossing over the demarcation line -- becoming the first sitting US president to step into Pyongyang's territory.

It came months after their second summit in Hanoi broke down over what the nuclear-armed North would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief.

After around an hour of talks in Panmunjom -- the "truce village" in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/demilitarised-zone-the-worlds-last-cold-war-frontier-231677">DMZ </a>that has divided the peninsula since the two sides and their allies fought each other to a stalemate in 1953 -- Trump emerged to say the two would begin working-level talks in the next few weeks.

He also invited the North's leader to Washington "at the right time", he added.

It was a more substantive outcome than many had expected after Trump issued his Twitter invitation to Kim and said the meeting could be as short as two minutes to simply "say hello".

But analysts questioned whether it would be enough to create sustainable progress in a process that has already been running for years and has regularly become bogged down.

Vipin Narang, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the "reality show theatrics" of Panmunjom were worth it if they led to effective working-level talks.

"If not, then we will keep tuning into this same show for the next 15 months," he added.

While the Trump administration is adamant it wants to see North Korea give up its nuclear arsenal, Pyongyang has never publicly declared it is willing to do so, referring instead to the wider and more ambiguous "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula".

The North is seeking relief from wide-ranging sanctions imposed on it over its weapons programmes, and has offered to close part of its Yongbyon nuclear centre, but specialists say it has other facilities producing material for weapons.

The Panmunjom meeting gave both leaders "a good reason to seek dialogue again", said Hong Min, a senior researcher at the South's state-run Korea Institute for National Unification.

'Pushes and nudges'

But Mintaro Oba, a former State Department official in the Obama administration, called it a "temporary burst of momentum".

"We are engaged in a sort of 'defibrillator diplomacy' with North Korea: keeping the process alive through an occasional injection of energy, but never treating the underlying disease," Oba tweeted.

How much progress the talks will make is open to question, experts say.

Since the Hanoi summit collapse, Pyongyang has accused Washington of acting in "bad faith" and given it until the end of the year to change its approach, and last month fired short-range missiles for the first time since November 2017.

In recent months Pyongyang has also slammed Trump's top aides -- National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- and demanded their removal from talks.

"That could create problems," said Go Myong-hyun, an analyst at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies.

For both participants, though, the meeting had its uses.

With a presidential election in the US next year, Trump's dramatic steps into North Korea will be a "useful tool" on the campaign trail, said Koo Kab-woo, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

For its part, the North has long wanted to be treated as an equal to the US and sought to have Bill Clinton visit Pyongyang before his term expired.

It will welcome Sunday's symbolism, said former CIA analyst Soo Kim.

"Kim didn't have to lift a finger to get Trump to cross the DMZ," she told AFP, even though there had been "no progress on denuclearisation", and the North was continuing to advance its nuclear capabilities, test missiles and evade sanctions.

The short-notice meeting fits right into Pyongyang's playbook, she said, sending a message to the North that US policy was "quite porous" and suggesting that "with subsequent pushes and nudges, Kim will get his own way". 
&nbsp;

Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un's meeting in the Korean Demilitarized Zone produced a barrage of headlines and images, but left analysts questioning whether it was a small step for publicity or a giant leap for peace.

Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un's meeting in the Korean Demilitarized Zone produced a barrage of headlines and images, but left analysts questioning whether it was a small step for publicity or a giant leap for peace. The impromptu encounter saw Trump briefly crossing over the demarcation line -- becoming the first sitting US president to step into Pyongyang's territory. It came months after their second summit in Hanoi broke down over what the nuclear-armed North would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief. After around an hour of talks in Panmunjom -- the "truce village" in the DMZ that has divided the peninsula since the two sides and their allies fought each other to a stalemate in 1953 -- Trump emerged to say the two would begin working-level talks in the next few weeks. He also invited the North's leader to Washington "at the right time", he added. It was a more substantive outcome than many had expected after Trump issued his Twitter invitation to Kim and said the meeting could be as short as two minutes to simply "say hello". But analysts questioned whether it would be enough to create sustainable progress in a process that has already been running for years and has regularly become bogged down. Vipin Narang, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the "reality show theatrics" of Panmunjom were worth it if they led to effective working-level talks. "If not, then we will keep tuning into this same show for the next 15 months," he added. While the Trump administration is adamant it wants to see North Korea give up its nuclear arsenal, Pyongyang has never publicly declared it is willing to do so, referring instead to the wider and more ambiguous "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula". The North is seeking relief from wide-ranging sanctions imposed on it over its weapons programmes, and has offered to close part of its Yongbyon nuclear centre, but specialists say it has other facilities producing material for weapons. The Panmunjom meeting gave both leaders "a good reason to seek dialogue again", said Hong Min, a senior researcher at the South's state-run Korea Institute for National Unification. 'Pushes and nudges' But Mintaro Oba, a former State Department official in the Obama administration, called it a "temporary burst of momentum". "We are engaged in a sort of 'defibrillator diplomacy' with North Korea: keeping the process alive through an occasional injection of energy, but never treating the underlying disease," Oba tweeted. How much progress the talks will make is open to question, experts say. Since the Hanoi summit collapse, Pyongyang has accused Washington of acting in "bad faith" and given it until the end of the year to change its approach, and last month fired short-range missiles for the first time since November 2017. In recent months Pyongyang has also slammed Trump's top aides -- National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- and demanded their removal from talks. "That could create problems," said Go Myong-hyun, an analyst at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies. For both participants, though, the meeting had its uses. With a presidential election in the US next year, Trump's dramatic steps into North Korea will be a "useful tool" on the campaign trail, said Koo Kab-woo, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. For its part, the North has long wanted to be treated as an equal to the US and sought to have Bill Clinton visit Pyongyang before his term expired. It will welcome Sunday's symbolism, said former CIA analyst Soo Kim. "Kim didn't have to lift a finger to get Trump to cross the DMZ," she told AFP, even though there had been "no progress on denuclearisation", and the North was continuing to advance its nuclear capabilities, test missiles and evade sanctions. The short-notice meeting fits right into Pyongyang's playbook, she said, sending a message to the North that US policy was "quite porous" and suggesting that "with subsequent pushes and nudges, Kim will get his own way".

Trump-Kim III: Publicity stunt or leap for peace?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-signs-rs-200-crore-anti-tank-missile-deal-with-russia-231721">India signs Rs 200 crore anti-tank missile deal with Russia</a>

Seeking to keep itself battle-ready in situations like the one post-Balakot aerial strikes, India has signed a deal to acquire 'Strum Ataka'&nbsp;anti-tank&nbsp;missile from Russia&nbsp;for its fleet of Mi-35 attack choppers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-daughter-ivanka-and-pompeo-beautiful-couple-beauty-and-the-beast-231774">Trump tries off-hand humour again, calls daughter Ivanka and Pompeo 'beautiful couple'</a>

US President Donald Trump is known for his slapstick humour and off-hand comments. On Sunday, the US president went on to launch another remark, this time involving&nbsp;his daughter Ivanka Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-allowed-to-buy-from-us-suppliers-as-relations-with-china-are-back-on-track-231743">Huawei allowed to buy from US suppliers as relations with China are 'back on track'</a>

United States President Donald Trump in a series of tweets on Saturday said he had a great meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the&nbsp;G20 summit in Japan's Osaka&nbsp;where he also agreed to continue negotiations over the stalled trade talks between the two world economies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/money-in-swiss-banks-india-slips-to-74th-place-uk-remains-on-top-231751">Money in Swiss banks: India slips to 74th place, UK remains on top&nbsp;</a>

India has moved down one place to 74th rank in terms of&nbsp;money parked by its citizens and enterprises with Swiss banks, while the UK has retained its top position, as per data released by the central banking authority of the Alpine nation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/donald-trump-meets-kim-jong-un-becomes-first-sitting-united-states-president-to-set-foot-in-north-korea-231748">Donald Trump meets Kim Jong-un, becomes first sitting United States president to set foot in North Korea</a>

US President Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to set foot in North Korea on Sunday when he met its leader, Kim Jong Un, in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas.

India signs Rs 200 crore anti-tank missile deal with Russia Seeking to keep itself battle-ready in situations like the one post-Balakot aerial strikes, India has signed a deal to acquire 'Strum Ataka' anti-tank missile from Russia for its fleet of Mi-35 attack choppers.

India signs Rs 200 crore anti-tank missile deal with Russia Seeking to keep itself battle-ready in situations like the one post-Balakot aerial strikes, India has signed a deal to acquire 'Strum Ataka' anti-tank missile from Russia for its fleet of Mi-35 attack choppers. Trump tries off-hand humour again, calls daughter Ivanka and Pompeo 'beautiful couple' US President Donald Trump is known for his slapstick humour and off-hand comments. On Sunday, the US president went on to launch another remark, this time involving his daughter Ivanka Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Huawei allowed to buy from US suppliers as relations with China are 'back on track' United States President Donald Trump in a series of tweets on Saturday said he had a great meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan's Osaka where he also agreed to continue negotiations over the stalled trade talks between the two world economies. Money in Swiss banks: India slips to 74th place, UK remains on top India has moved down one place to 74th rank in terms of money parked by its citizens and enterprises with Swiss banks, while the UK has retained its top position, as per data released by the central banking authority of the Alpine nation. Donald Trump meets Kim Jong-un, becomes first sitting United States president to set foot in North Korea US President Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to set foot in North Korea on Sunday when he met its leader, Kim Jong Un, in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Donald Trump meets Kim Jong-un, becomes first sitting United States president to set foot in North Korea

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 30th, 2019

Time was running out for the United States to formulate a new strategy to revive denuclearisation talks, a senior North Korean diplomat said on Thursday, as a US envoy for North Korea is set to visit South Korea ahead of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/north-koreas-missile-tests-not-breach-of-trust-us-president-donald-trump-217629">President Donald Trump</a>'s trip.

Negotiations have been stalled since the second summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi in February collapsed over differences between the US calls for complete denuclearisation and Kim's demands for sanctions relief.

Kim has said a third meeting would be possible only if Washington adopted a more flexible approach, setting a year-end deadline.

The United States is in behind-the-scenes talks with North Korea over a possible third summit and has proposed reopening working-level negotiations, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday.

Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy for North Korea who has led working-level talks, is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Thursday ahead of Trump, who is due in South Korea at the weekend after visiting Japan for the G20 summit.

The United States and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-visit-south-korea-as-pompeo-raises-hope-for-new-north-korea-talks-after-letter-230158">North Korea</a> have held working-level meetings in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas in the run-up to the Hanoi summit, but it was unclear whether Biegun will attend such talks this time.

Kwon Jong Gun, director-general for US affairs at the North's foreign ministry, said the United States continues to speak of dialogue while "becoming more and more desperate in its hostile acts."

He did not elaborate, but a foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday that the recent US extension of sanctions against North Korea was an act of hostility and an outright challenge to the first summit between Kim and Trump in Singapore last year.

"The dialogue would not open by itself through the United States repeatedly talks about resumption of dialogue like a parrot without considering any realistic proposal that would fully conform with the interests of both sides," Kwon said in a statement carried by Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency.

"If the United States is to move towards producing a result, time will not be enough."

In contrast, US officials have raised hopes for a restart of official talks following a recent exchange of letters between Trump and Kim.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday called a fresh round of nuclear talks a "very real possibility," following a letter sent to Kim by Trump.

KCNA has said Trump's letter had "excellent content" and Kim would "seriously contemplate" it, without elaborating.

Trump is expected to send "some kind of message" to the North from the DMZ during his trip, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said on Thursday.

Trump tried to go to the DMZ, where Kim and Moon held a historic first summit last year, on a 2017 visit to South Korea, but heavy fog prevented it.

Trump said on Wednesday he would not meet with Kim during his stay in the South and US officials have declined to comment on whether Trump will travel to the DMZ.

Kwon said any new talks should be led by a "counterpart who has a good sense of communication."

The North has accused Pompeo of making "gangster-like" demands and urged a replacement with someone "more mature" while lauding the rapport Kim has built with Trump.

Wednesday's statement by the North singled out his recent remarks that more than 80 per cent of the North Korean economy had been affected by sanctions as "reckless" and "sophistry."

Biegun is scheduled to meet with his counterpart Lee Do-hoon and other Seoul officials on Friday to explore ways to reopen nuclear talks, a South Korean foreign ministry spokesman said.

But there are few signs that the United States and North Korea are any closers to a deal, with both saying they are open to talks but calling for the other side to change policy.

Reclusive North Korea has for years pursued missile and nuclear weapons programs in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.

Tension has mounted since the breakdown of the Hanoi summit. The North tested new short-range missiles in May and Washington imposed fresh sanctions and seized a North Korean ship suspected of illicit coal shipments.

Seoul's unification minister said on Thursday that inter-Korea commercial projects that could channel millions of dollars a year to Pyongyang could be leveraged to boost nuclear talks.

But the North said Seoul will never mediate between Washington and Pyongyang.

"As is globally known, the DPRK-US relations are moving forward on the basis of the personal relations" between Kim and Trump, Kwon said, using the initials of North Korea's full name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Therefore, there will be no such happening where anything will go through the South Korean authorities."

Time was running out for the United States to formulate a new strategy to revive denuclearisation talks, a senior North Korean diplomat said on Thursday, as a US envoy for North Korea is set to visit South Korea ahead of President Donald Trump's trip.

Time was running out for the United States to formulate a new strategy to revive denuclearisation talks, a senior North Korean diplomat said on Thursday, as a US envoy for North Korea is set to visit South Korea ahead of President Donald Trump's trip. Negotiations have been stalled since the second summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi in February collapsed over differences between the US calls for complete denuclearisation and Kim's demands for sanctions relief. Kim has said a third meeting would be possible only if Washington adopted a more flexible approach, setting a year-end deadline. The United States is in behind-the-scenes talks with North Korea over a possible third summit and has proposed reopening working-level negotiations, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday. Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy for North Korea who has led working-level talks, is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Thursday ahead of Trump, who is due in South Korea at the weekend after visiting Japan for the G20 summit. The United States and North Korea have held working-level meetings in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas in the run-up to the Hanoi summit, but it was unclear whether Biegun will attend such talks this time. Kwon Jong Gun, director-general for US affairs at the North's foreign ministry, said the United States continues to speak of dialogue while "becoming more and more desperate in its hostile acts." He did not elaborate, but a foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday that the recent US extension of sanctions against North Korea was an act of hostility and an outright challenge to the first summit between Kim and Trump in Singapore last year. "The dialogue would not open by itself through the United States repeatedly talks about resumption of dialogue like a parrot without considering any realistic proposal that would fully conform with the interests of both sides," Kwon said in a statement carried by Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency. "If the United States is to move towards producing a result, time will not be enough." In contrast, US officials have raised hopes for a restart of official talks following a recent exchange of letters between Trump and Kim. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday called a fresh round of nuclear talks a "very real possibility," following a letter sent to Kim by Trump. KCNA has said Trump's letter had "excellent content" and Kim would "seriously contemplate" it, without elaborating. Trump is expected to send "some kind of message" to the North from the DMZ during his trip, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said on Thursday. Trump tried to go to the DMZ, where Kim and Moon held a historic first summit last year, on a 2017 visit to South Korea, but heavy fog prevented it. Trump said on Wednesday he would not meet with Kim during his stay in the South and US officials have declined to comment on whether Trump will travel to the DMZ. Kwon said any new talks should be led by a "counterpart who has a good sense of communication." The North has accused Pompeo of making "gangster-like" demands and urged a replacement with someone "more mature" while lauding the rapport Kim has built with Trump. Wednesday's statement by the North singled out his recent remarks that more than 80 per cent of the North Korean economy had been affected by sanctions as "reckless" and "sophistry." Biegun is scheduled to meet with his counterpart Lee Do-hoon and other Seoul officials on Friday to explore ways to reopen nuclear talks, a South Korean foreign ministry spokesman said. But there are few signs that the United States and North Korea are any closers to a deal, with both saying they are open to talks but calling for the other side to change policy. Reclusive North Korea has for years pursued missile and nuclear weapons programs in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions. Tension has mounted since the breakdown of the Hanoi summit. The North tested new short-range missiles in May and Washington imposed fresh sanctions and seized a North Korean ship suspected of illicit coal shipments. Seoul's unification minister said on Thursday that inter-Korea commercial projects that could channel millions of dollars a year to Pyongyang could be leveraged to boost nuclear talks. But the North said Seoul will never mediate between Washington and Pyongyang. "As is globally known, the DPRK-US relations are moving forward on the basis of the personal relations" between Kim and Trump, Kwon said, using the initials of North Korea's full name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "Therefore, there will be no such happening where anything will go through the South Korean authorities."

North Korea says time running out for fresh talks as US envoy due in South Korea

The impersonators of Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump greeted crowds in a shopping area in Osaka on Wednesday, two days before world leaders are set to meet at the G20 summit. Howard X, an Australian comedian impersonating North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was in town with US President Donald Trump impersonator, Dennis Alan, taking selfies with curious onlookers and tasting local delicacies.

Kim and Trump impersonators wow Osaka crowds ahead of G20 summit

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-again-denies-columnists-rape-allegations-says-shes-not-my-type-230149">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> will visit South Korea this weekend after an exchange of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-sent-me-birthday-wishes-it-was-a-friendly-letter-trump-230119">letters with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un boosted</a> hopes for a resumption of talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program.

Trump is set to arrive in South Korea for a two-day visit on Saturday and will meet President Moon Jae-in on Sunday, following a summit of G20 leaders in Japan, Moon's spokeswoman, Ko Min-jung, said on Monday.

The announcement came hours after US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped a letter Trump sent to Kim could pave the way for a revival of talks that have been stalled since a failed second summit between Trump and Kim in February.

Trump and Moon would have "in-depth discussions on ways to work together to foster lasting peace," Ko told a news briefing.

Trump told reporters at the White House that Kim had sent him birthday wishes. "It was just a very friendly letter both ways. We have a very good relationship," he said.

Pompeo, who spoke of Trump's letter to Kim before leaving Washington on Sunday for a trip to the Middle East and Asia, said Washington was ready to resume talks with North Korea immediately.

Watch:&nbsp;Kim Jong-un receives excellent letter from Trump

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kim-jong-un-receives-excellent-letter-from-trump-229786/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I'm hopeful that this will provide a good foundation for us to begin ... these important discussions with the North Koreans," Pompeo told reporters.

Trump is considering a visit to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, a South Korean official said.

A Trump administration official briefing reporters on a conference call said Trump had no plans to meet Kim during his visit to South Korea, and declined to comment when asked whether Trump would travel to the DMZ.

Trump wanted to go to the DMZ on a 2017 trip to South Korea but heavy fog prevented it. Kim and Moon held their historic first summit in the DMZ last year.

Trump and Kim held their first, groundbreaking summit in Singapore in June last year, agreeing to establish new relations and work towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

But a second summit in Vietnam in February collapsed when the two sides were unable to bridge differences between US&nbsp;demands for denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief.

The director of the US&nbsp;Defense Intelligence Agency, Lieutenant General Robert Ashley, told Fox News on Monday that the intelligence community continued to assess that Kim Jong Un was not ready to give up his nuclear weapons.

Stephen Biegun, the US&nbsp;special envoy for North Korea, said on Wednesday that Washington had no preconditions for talks but that progress would require meaningful and verifiable North Korean steps to denuclearise.

The State Department said Biegun, who led working-level talks with North Korea in the run-up to the Hanoi summit, would visit Seoul from Thursday until Sunday for meetings with South Korean officials.

'Excellent'

Tension mounted last month when North Korea test-fired a series of short-range ballistic missiles, although Trump and South Korea both played down the tests.

One June 11, Trump said he had received a very warm, "beautiful" letter from Kim, adding he thought something positive would happen.

North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, said on Sunday that Kim had received a letter from Trump, which he described as being "of excellent content", but did not disclose any details.

KCNA said Kim "would seriously contemplate the interesting content".

Shin Beom-chul, a senior fellow at the Asian Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, said Trump may have proposed a new round of working-level talks but that a major breakthrough was unlikely for now.

"North Korea has to show what the final state of denuclearisation would look like and what road map it has toward that end, but it's not desirable to reopen talks just to manage the situation after recent weapons tests," Shin told Reuters.

Pompeo, who will also be in Seoul for Trump's visit, did not discuss the contents of the president's letter, but said Washington had been working to lay foundations for discussions.

"I think we're in a better place," he said.

Asked if working-level discussions would begin soon, Pompeo said,&nbsp;"I think the remarks you saw out of North Korea this morning suggest that may well be a very good possibility. We're ready to go, we're literally prepared to go at a moment's notice if the North Koreans indicate that they're prepared for those discussions."

Joseph Yun, Biegun's predecessor as special envoy for North Korea, told a panel discussion at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies that he expected there to be a third summit between Trump and Kim and it would probably take place "sooner rather than later."

Victor Cha, a former White House official involved in past negotiations with North Korea, told the same event he expected Trump to go to the DMZ and noted Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea last week.

"Whenever you see high-level letter and then the Chinese and North Koreans meeting, that's kind of like the set-up for a third meeting," he said.

"The question is, is he going to make a big statement at the DMZ ... is he going to do it with President Moon. Are there going to be other surprises? This president likes surprises."

US President Donald Trump will visit South Korea this weekend after an exchange of letters with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un boosted hopes for a resumption of talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program.

US President Donald Trump will visit South Korea this weekend after an exchange of letters with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un boosted hopes for a resumption of talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program. Trump is set to arrive in South Korea for a two-day visit on Saturday and will meet President Moon Jae-in on Sunday, following a summit of G20 leaders in Japan, Moon's spokeswoman, Ko Min-jung, said on Monday. The announcement came hours after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped a letter Trump sent to Kim could pave the way for a revival of talks that have been stalled since a failed second summit between Trump and Kim in February. Trump and Moon would have "in-depth discussions on ways to work together to foster lasting peace," Ko told a news briefing. Trump told reporters at the White House that Kim had sent him birthday wishes. "It was just a very friendly letter both ways. We have a very good relationship," he said. Pompeo, who spoke of Trump's letter to Kim before leaving Washington on Sunday for a trip to the Middle East and Asia, said Washington was ready to resume talks with North Korea immediately. Watch: Kim Jong-un receives excellent letter from Trump "I'm hopeful that this will provide a good foundation for us to begin ... these important discussions with the North Koreans," Pompeo told reporters. Trump is considering a visit to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, a South Korean official said. A Trump administration official briefing reporters on a conference call said Trump had no plans to meet Kim during his visit to South Korea, and declined to comment when asked whether Trump would travel to the DMZ. Trump wanted to go to the DMZ on a 2017 trip to South Korea but heavy fog prevented it. Kim and Moon held their historic first summit in the DMZ last year. Trump and Kim held their first, groundbreaking summit in Singapore in June last year, agreeing to establish new relations and work towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. But a second summit in Vietnam in February collapsed when the two sides were unable to bridge differences between US demands for denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief. The director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, Lieutenant General Robert Ashley, told Fox News on Monday that the intelligence community continued to assess that Kim Jong Un was not ready to give up his nuclear weapons. Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy for North Korea, said on Wednesday that Washington had no preconditions for talks but that progress would require meaningful and verifiable North Korean steps to denuclearise. The State Department said Biegun, who led working-level talks with North Korea in the run-up to the Hanoi summit, would visit Seoul from Thursday until Sunday for meetings with South Korean officials. 'Excellent' Tension mounted last month when North Korea test-fired a series of short-range ballistic missiles, although Trump and South Korea both played down the tests. One June 11, Trump said he had received a very warm, "beautiful" letter from Kim, adding he thought something positive would happen. North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, said on Sunday that Kim had received a letter from Trump, which he described as being "of excellent content", but did not disclose any details. KCNA said Kim "would seriously contemplate the interesting content". Shin Beom-chul, a senior fellow at the Asian Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, said Trump may have proposed a new round of working-level talks but that a major breakthrough was unlikely for now. "North Korea has to show what the final state of denuclearisation would look like and what road map it has toward that end, but it's not desirable to reopen talks just to manage the situation after recent weapons tests," Shin told Reuters. Pompeo, who will also be in Seoul for Trump's visit, did not discuss the contents of the president's letter, but said Washington had been working to lay foundations for discussions. "I think we're in a better place," he said. Asked if working-level discussions would begin soon, Pompeo said, "I think the remarks you saw out of North Korea this morning suggest that may well be a very good possibility. We're ready to go, we're literally prepared to go at a moment's notice if the North Koreans indicate that they're prepared for those discussions." Joseph Yun, Biegun's predecessor as special envoy for North Korea, told a panel discussion at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies that he expected there to be a third summit between Trump and Kim and it would probably take place "sooner rather than later." Victor Cha, a former White House official involved in past negotiations with North Korea, told the same event he expected Trump to go to the DMZ and noted Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea last week. "Whenever you see high-level letter and then the Chinese and North Koreans meeting, that's kind of like the set-up for a third meeting," he said. "The question is, is he going to make a big statement at the DMZ ... is he going to do it with President Moon. Are there going to be other surprises? This president likes surprises."

Trump to visit South Korea as Pompeo raises hope for new North Korea talks after letter

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 23rd, 2019

Significance Of Xi Jinping-Kim Jong Un Meeting

Gravitas: Highlights from Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-shinzo-abe-calls-for-strengthing-ties-with-india-221913">Japan</a> on Thursday flatly rejected as "unacceptable" a South Korean proposal to set up a joint fund to compensate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-shift-blame-over-wartime-labour-ruling-japan-tells-south-korea-189507">wartime forced labourers</a>, a bitter dispute that has bogged down bilateral ties.

The proposed fund would not solve the issue, the top government spokesman told a regular press conference in Tokyo.

"The South Korean proposal is utterly unacceptable," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

"We will continue to urge South Korea to agree to arbitration," he added. Relations between the two US allies have been increasingly strained by a series of rulings from South Korean courts ordering Japanese firms that used wartime forced labour to compensate victims.

Japan's government and the firms involved have rejected the rulings, with Tokyo saying the issue was settled when the two countries normalised relations.

Last month, Tokyo proposed the issue be put to arbitration under the terms of an agreement signed by the two countries in 1965 when ties were normalised.

The agreement calls for the two countries to set up an arbitration panel if they cannot resolve a dispute through diplomatic negotiations.

South Korea on Wednesday offered a counterproposal that would see South Korean and Japanese firms, including those involved in the court cases, set up a voluntary fund to compensate the victims.

"If Tokyo accepts our offer, our government is willing to review the Japanese government's request (to discuss the issue)," Seoul said in a statement.

Japan and South Korea are both democracies, market economies and US allies, but their relationship has been strained for decades as a result of Tokyo's brutal 1910-45 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula.

The tense ties between Tokyo and Seoul come amid diplomatic efforts to persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear weapons, to ease one of the key security risks for the region.

When relations were normalised, Tokyo agreed on a reparations package that included grants and cheap loans intended to cover victims of various wartime policies. Japan argues that the package should have permanently resolved the issue.

Japan on Thursday flatly rejected as "unacceptable" a South Korean proposal to set up a joint fund to compensate wartime forced labourers, a bitter dispute that has bogged down bilateral ties.

Japan on Thursday flatly rejected as "unacceptable" a South Korean proposal to set up a joint fund to compensate wartime forced labourers, a bitter dispute that has bogged down bilateral ties. The proposed fund would not solve the issue, the top government spokesman told a regular press conference in Tokyo. "The South Korean proposal is utterly unacceptable," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters. "We will continue to urge South Korea to agree to arbitration," he added. Relations between the two US allies have been increasingly strained by a series of rulings from South Korean courts ordering Japanese firms that used wartime forced labour to compensate victims. Japan's government and the firms involved have rejected the rulings, with Tokyo saying the issue was settled when the two countries normalised relations. Last month, Tokyo proposed the issue be put to arbitration under the terms of an agreement signed by the two countries in 1965 when ties were normalised. The agreement calls for the two countries to set up an arbitration panel if they cannot resolve a dispute through diplomatic negotiations. South Korea on Wednesday offered a counterproposal that would see South Korean and Japanese firms, including those involved in the court cases, set up a voluntary fund to compensate the victims. "If Tokyo accepts our offer, our government is willing to review the Japanese government's request (to discuss the issue)," Seoul said in a statement. Japan and South Korea are both democracies, market economies and US allies, but their relationship has been strained for decades as a result of Tokyo's brutal 1910-45 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula. The tense ties between Tokyo and Seoul come amid diplomatic efforts to persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear weapons, to ease one of the key security risks for the region. When relations were normalised, Tokyo agreed on a reparations package that included grants and cheap loans intended to cover victims of various wartime policies. Japan argues that the package should have permanently resolved the issue.

Japan rejects South Korea deal over wartime forced labour

Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a historic trip to Pyongyang on Thursday, rebooting a troubled alliance as he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un face their own challenges with US President Donald Trump.

Xi will be the first Chinese president to visit North Korea in 14 years after relations between the Cold War era allies deteriorated over Pyongyang's nuclear provocations and Beijing's subsequent backing of UN sanctions.

Xi and Kim have been working to repair ties, with the young North Korean leader visiting his older comrade four times in China in the past year and Beijing calling for sanctions to be relaxed.

But the Chinese leader waited to reciprocate the visit, biding his time to see how nuclear talks between Kim and Trump would play out before deciding to travel to Pyongyang, according to analysts.

Xi's two-day visit is a chance for China to showcase its influence in the region.

"For North Korea, the coming meeting will serve to show the US that China has its back and to send a message to Washington it should stop its maximum pressure posture," said Lim Eul-chul, professor of North Korean studies at Kyungnam University.

Negotiations between Trump and Kim have soured after a second summit in February broke up without a deal, failing to agree on what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief.

Beijing's own trade negotiations with Washington hit a wall last month.

Xi could come back from Pyongyang with some leverage when he meets Trump at the G20 summit in Japan next week.

Serious Mistake

In a rare opinion piece published in North Korea's official newspaper on Wednesday, Xi hailed the "irreplaceable" friendship of the neighbouring nations and offered a "grand plan" to bring permanent stability to East Asia.

He also vowed that Beijing would play an active role in "strengthening communication and coordination with North Korea and other relevant parties" to push forward negotiations on the Korean Peninsula.

Beijing had fretted over being sidelined after the North Korean leader agreed to meet Trump last year, with the US leader going as far as declaring he had fallen "in love" with Kim.

The editorial was a not-so-subtle reminder that Beijing remains Pyongyang's closest ally.

China sees the North as a strategic buffer from South Korea, keeping the 28,500 US troops in South Korea far from its borders.

Xi, who will be given the honour of a state visit, will pay homage at the capital's Friendship Tower, a monument to the Chinese troops who saved the North from defeat during the Korean War.

In recent days soldiers and workers have been sprucing it up.

Yongwook Ryu, professor of international relations at the National University of Singapore, said Xi could be making a "serious mistake" if he tries to use North Korea as a bargaining chip with Trump, because the US leader separates security issues from economic ones.

"If Xi can put pressure on North Korea to denuclearise i.e. offer some carrot to Trump, then he could perhaps get a concession from Trump or make a trade deal with Trump more likely," Ryu said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang has dismissed concerns that Beijing's close ties with Pyongyang could be used to put pressure on the US, saying "people with such an idea are just over-thinking."

Zhao Tong, North Korea expert at the Carnegie Tsinghua Center think tank in Beijing, said he does not expect any "substantive discussions" on denuclearisation during the meeting, because "China and North Korea do not have enough mutual trust."

Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a historic trip to Pyongyang on Thursday, rebooting a troubled alliance as he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un face their own challenges with US President Donald Trump.

Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a historic trip to Pyongyang on Thursday, rebooting a troubled alliance as he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un face their own challenges with US President Donald Trump. Xi will be the first Chinese president to visit North Korea in 14 years after relations between the Cold War era allies deteriorated over Pyongyang's nuclear provocations and Beijing's subsequent backing of UN sanctions. Xi and Kim have been working to repair ties, with the young North Korean leader visiting his older comrade four times in China in the past year and Beijing calling for sanctions to be relaxed. But the Chinese leader waited to reciprocate the visit, biding his time to see how nuclear talks between Kim and Trump would play out before deciding to travel to Pyongyang, according to analysts. Xi's two-day visit is a chance for China to showcase its influence in the region. "For North Korea, the coming meeting will serve to show the US that China has its back and to send a message to Washington it should stop its maximum pressure posture," said Lim Eul-chul, professor of North Korean studies at Kyungnam University. Negotiations between Trump and Kim have soured after a second summit in February broke up without a deal, failing to agree on what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief. Beijing's own trade negotiations with Washington hit a wall last month. Xi could come back from Pyongyang with some leverage when he meets Trump at the G20 summit in Japan next week. Serious Mistake In a rare opinion piece published in North Korea's official newspaper on Wednesday, Xi hailed the "irreplaceable" friendship of the neighbouring nations and offered a "grand plan" to bring permanent stability to East Asia. He also vowed that Beijing would play an active role in "strengthening communication and coordination with North Korea and other relevant parties" to push forward negotiations on the Korean Peninsula. Beijing had fretted over being sidelined after the North Korean leader agreed to meet Trump last year, with the US leader going as far as declaring he had fallen "in love" with Kim. The editorial was a not-so-subtle reminder that Beijing remains Pyongyang's closest ally. China sees the North as a strategic buffer from South Korea, keeping the 28,500 US troops in South Korea far from its borders. Xi, who will be given the honour of a state visit, will pay homage at the capital's Friendship Tower, a monument to the Chinese troops who saved the North from defeat during the Korean War. In recent days soldiers and workers have been sprucing it up. Yongwook Ryu, professor of international relations at the National University of Singapore, said Xi could be making a "serious mistake" if he tries to use North Korea as a bargaining chip with Trump, because the US leader separates security issues from economic ones. "If Xi can put pressure on North Korea to denuclearise i.e. offer some carrot to Trump, then he could perhaps get a concession from Trump or make a trade deal with Trump more likely," Ryu said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang has dismissed concerns that Beijing's close ties with Pyongyang could be used to put pressure on the US, saying "people with such an idea are just over-thinking." Zhao Tong, North Korea expert at the Carnegie Tsinghua Center think tank in Beijing, said he does not expect any "substantive discussions" on denuclearisation during the meeting, because "China and North Korea do not have enough mutual trust."

Xi Jinping heads to North Korea to meet Kim Jong Un ahead of Trump talks

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister met South Korean officials on their heavily defended border on Wednesday (June 12) to deliver flowers and her brother's condolences over the death of a former South Korean first lady.

Kim Jong Un's sister sends condolences on the death of South Korea's former first lady

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/great-respect-between-us-and-north-korea-donald-trump-221859">The United States</a> on Wednesday accused North Korea of violating a UN-imposed ceiling on fuel imports by conducting dozens of ship-to-ship transfers at sea that broke international sanctions.

CNN reported that Washington in a report submitted to the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-to-work-with-us-and-north-korea-after-failed-nuclear-talks-200409">North Korea</a> also urged more than a dozen other countries to immediately halt fuel shipments to North Korea.&nbsp;

The accusations came a day after President Donald Trump said that he received another `beautiful letter` from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trump-kim-jong-un-summits-other-aim-was-to-sell-vietnam-model-to-north-korea-208086">North Korean leader Kim Jong-un</a>, the first since the February summit in Hanoi ended abruptly between the two leaders without finalising a deal.

&nbsp;An administration official described the letter as a "birthday greeting." Trump`s birthday is on Friday and the official says Kim wished the President good health.&nbsp;

The letter also rekindled new hopes on the possibility of future talks between Trump and Kim after the US President last month declared North Korea was "not ready to negotiate" after months of stalled diplomacy.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the UN report said Pyongyang has already exceeded the allowed annual cap of importing 500,000 barrels of fuel this year.&nbsp;

Quoting a UN diplomat, familiar with the case, CNN reported that at least eight illegal ship to ship transfers have occurred involving North Korean flagged tankers.&nbsp;

The diplomat said there were 72 cases of violations which were also being tracked. The diplomat gave North Korea an "F" grade regarding the implementation of the sanctions cap on fuel import.&nbsp;

The diplomat added, "Not only is DPRK [North Korea] circumventing the petroleum ban it has systematically circumvented it all last year and is systematically circumventing it this year and, unstopped, it will have basically achieved the same amount of refined petroleum smuggled into North Korea as it did last year.

"Under the UN sanctions rules, countries are required to report monthly sales of petroleum refined products to the committee.&nbsp;

It was reported by the sanctions committee panel of experts that there was a "massive increase in the illegal ship to ship transfers of petroleum products and coal".

&nbsp;However, attempts by Washington to take action were blocked by Russia and China.&nbsp;

The United States on Wednesday accused North Korea of violating a UN-imposed ceiling on fuel imports by conducting dozens of ship-to-ship transfers at sea that broke international sanctions.

The United States on Wednesday accused North Korea of violating a UN-imposed ceiling on fuel imports by conducting dozens of ship-to-ship transfers at sea that broke international sanctions. CNN reported that Washington in a report submitted to the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea also urged more than a dozen other countries to immediately halt fuel shipments to North Korea. The accusations came a day after President Donald Trump said that he received another `beautiful letter` from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the first since the February summit in Hanoi ended abruptly between the two leaders without finalising a deal. An administration official described the letter as a "birthday greeting." Trump`s birthday is on Friday and the official says Kim wished the President good health. The letter also rekindled new hopes on the possibility of future talks between Trump and Kim after the US President last month declared North Korea was "not ready to negotiate" after months of stalled diplomacy. Meanwhile, the UN report said Pyongyang has already exceeded the allowed annual cap of importing 500,000 barrels of fuel this year. Quoting a UN diplomat, familiar with the case, CNN reported that at least eight illegal ship to ship transfers have occurred involving North Korean flagged tankers. The diplomat said there were 72 cases of violations which were also being tracked. The diplomat gave North Korea an "F" grade regarding the implementation of the sanctions cap on fuel import. The diplomat added, "Not only is DPRK [North Korea] circumventing the petroleum ban it has systematically circumvented it all last year and is systematically circumventing it this year and, unstopped, it will have basically achieved the same amount of refined petroleum smuggled into North Korea as it did last year. "Under the UN sanctions rules, countries are required to report monthly sales of petroleum refined products to the committee. It was reported by the sanctions committee panel of experts that there was a "massive increase in the illegal ship to ship transfers of petroleum products and coal". However, attempts by Washington to take action were blocked by Russia and China.

United States accuses North Korea of breaching UN fuel cap

Reports Suggest Kim Jong Un 's Slain Half Brother Kim Jong Nam Had A Nexus With The CIA Was Kim Jong Nam, the slain half brother of North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un a spy of CIA? What's the nexus between the U.S. & Kim Jong Nam? Here's a report

Gravitas: Was Kim's slain half brother a CIA spy?

Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un who was killed in Malaysia in 2017, had been an informant for the US Central Intelligence Agency, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

The Journal cited an unnamed "person knowledgeable about the matter" for the report, and said many details of Kim Jong Nam`s relationship with the CIA remained unclear.

Reuters could not independently confirm the story. The CIA declined to comment.

The Journal quoted the person as saying "There was a nexus" between the CIA and Kim Jong Nam.

"Several former US officials said the half brother, who had lived outside of North Korea for many years and had no known power base in Pyongyang, was unlikely to be able to provide details of the secretive country`s inner workings," the Journal said.

The former officials also said Kim Jong Nam had been almost certainly in contact with security services of other countries, particularly China`s, the Journal said.

Kim Jong Nam`s role as a CIA informant is mentioned in a new book about Kim Jong Un, "The Great Successor," by Washington Post reporter Anna Fifield that is due to be published on Tuesday. Fifield says Kim Jong Nam usually met his handlers in Singapore and Malaysia, citing a source with knowledge of the intelligence.

The book says that security camera footage from Kim Jong Nam`s last trip to Malaysia showed him in a hotel elevator with an Asian-looking man who was reported to be a US &nbsp;intelligence agent. It said Ki`s backpack contained $120,000 in cash, which could have been payment for intelligence-related activities, or earnings from his casino businesses.

South Korean and US officials have said the North Korean authorities had ordered the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, who had been critical of his family`s dynastic rule. Pyongyang has denied the allegation.

Two women were charged with poisoning Kim Jong Nam by smearing his face with liquid VX, a banned chemical weapon, at Kuala Lumpur airport in February 2017. Malaysia released Doan Thi Huong, who is Vietnamese, in May, and Indonesian Siti Aisyah in March.

According to the Journal, the person said Kim Jong Nam had traveled to Malaysia in February 2017 to meet his CIA contact, although that may not have been the sole purpose of the trip.

US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un have met twice, in Hanoi in February and Singapore last June, seeming to build personal goodwill but failing to agree on a deal to lift US sanctions in exchange for North Korea abandoning its nuclear and missile programs.

Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un who was killed in Malaysia in 2017, had been an informant for the US Central Intelligence Agency, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un who was killed in Malaysia in 2017, had been an informant for the US Central Intelligence Agency, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. The Journal cited an unnamed "person knowledgeable about the matter" for the report, and said many details of Kim Jong Nam`s relationship with the CIA remained unclear. Reuters could not independently confirm the story. The CIA declined to comment. The Journal quoted the person as saying "There was a nexus" between the CIA and Kim Jong Nam. "Several former US officials said the half brother, who had lived outside of North Korea for many years and had no known power base in Pyongyang, was unlikely to be able to provide details of the secretive country`s inner workings," the Journal said. The former officials also said Kim Jong Nam had been almost certainly in contact with security services of other countries, particularly China`s, the Journal said. Kim Jong Nam`s role as a CIA informant is mentioned in a new book about Kim Jong Un, "The Great Successor," by Washington Post reporter Anna Fifield that is due to be published on Tuesday. Fifield says Kim Jong Nam usually met his handlers in Singapore and Malaysia, citing a source with knowledge of the intelligence. The book says that security camera footage from Kim Jong Nam`s last trip to Malaysia showed him in a hotel elevator with an Asian-looking man who was reported to be a US intelligence agent. It said Ki`s backpack contained $120,000 in cash, which could have been payment for intelligence-related activities, or earnings from his casino businesses. South Korean and US officials have said the North Korean authorities had ordered the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, who had been critical of his family`s dynastic rule. Pyongyang has denied the allegation. Two women were charged with poisoning Kim Jong Nam by smearing his face with liquid VX, a banned chemical weapon, at Kuala Lumpur airport in February 2017. Malaysia released Doan Thi Huong, who is Vietnamese, in May, and Indonesian Siti Aisyah in March. According to the Journal, the person said Kim Jong Nam had traveled to Malaysia in February 2017 to meet his CIA contact, although that may not have been the sole purpose of the trip. US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un have met twice, in Hanoi in February and Singapore last June, seeming to build personal goodwill but failing to agree on a deal to lift US sanctions in exchange for North Korea abandoning its nuclear and missile programs.

North Korean leader's slain half-brother was a CIA informant: Report

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