The United States disagreed with China that it should hold talks with North Korea because their leader Kinm Jong-Un was &quot;not rational&quot;.

China had earlier asked the US and North Korea to avert a &quot;head-on collision&quot; by holding talks to smoothen the latest flare-up between the countries.

Beijing, North Korea&#39;s trusted ally, had earlier asked Pyongyang to junk its nuclear development and wanted the US to put hold up the annual&nbsp;US-South Korean military drills

But the US rebuffed China&#39;s entreaties on Wednesday, with their ambassador Nikki Haley putting out a withering a criticism of the North leader following a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council.

&quot;We are not dealing with a rational person,&quot; the ambassador said, adding that Kim is a person &quot;who has not had rational acts, who is not thinking clearly&quot;.

North Korea fired at least four missiles toward Japan on Monday, three of which splashed down in waters near Japan.

The US ambassador said &quot;all the options are on the table&quot; and did not rule out talks completely but she made clear that the onus was on North Korea to show a willingness to seek a diplomatic solution.

&quot;We have to see some sort of positive action taken by North Korea before we can ever take them seriously,&quot; said Haley.

China, Pyongyang&#39;s main ally, earlier called on North Korea to suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for the US and South Korea halting joint military exercises in South Korea.

The proposal from the Chinese foreign minister however appeared to fall flat, with Britain, France and Japan saying that North Korea must take the first step to show that it was ready to change course and abandon its military and nuclear programs.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi stressed the importance of reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula, telling reporters after the meeting that this must be done &quot;in a negotiated way&quot;. &nbsp;

The council has imposed six sets of sanctions on North Korea -- two of which were adopted last year to significantly ramp up measures and deny Kim&#39;s regime hard currency revenue.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

US Ambassador Nikki Haley's scathing comment comes after Pyongyang defied UN decree to test-fire missiles on March 6

The United States disagreed with China that it should hold talks with North Korea because their leader Kinm Jong-Un was "not rational". China had earlier asked the US and North Korea to avert a "head-on collision" by holding talks to smoothen the latest flare-up between the countries. Beijing, North Korea's trusted ally, had earlier asked Pyongyang to junk its nuclear development and wanted the US to put hold up the annual US-South Korean military drills But the US rebuffed China's entreaties on Wednesday, with their ambassador Nikki Haley putting out a withering a criticism of the North leader following a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council. "We are not dealing with a rational person," the ambassador said, adding that Kim is a person "who has not had rational acts, who is not thinking clearly". North Korea fired at least four missiles toward Japan on Monday, three of which splashed down in waters near Japan. The US ambassador said "all the options are on the table" and did not rule out talks completely but she made clear that the onus was on North Korea to show a willingness to seek a diplomatic solution. "We have to see some sort of positive action taken by North Korea before we can ever take them seriously," said Haley. China, Pyongyang's main ally, earlier called on North Korea to suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for the US and South Korea halting joint military exercises in South Korea. The proposal from the Chinese foreign minister however appeared to fall flat, with Britain, France and Japan saying that North Korea must take the first step to show that it was ready to change course and abandon its military and nuclear programs. Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi stressed the importance of reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula, telling reporters after the meeting that this must be done "in a negotiated way". The council has imposed six sets of sanctions on North Korea -- two of which were adopted last year to significantly ramp up measures and deny Kim's regime hard currency revenue. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Talks with North Korea not possible due to irrational Kim: US

Malaysia on Saturday expelled the North Korean ambassador to the country, declaring him &quot;persona non grata&quot; and asking the envoy to leave Malaysia within 48 hours.

The move comes nearly three weeks after Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was murdered at Kuala Lumpur&#39;s airport with a toxic nerve agent. US&nbsp;and South Korean officials have said he was killed by agents of the North Korean regime.

<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/north-korea-says-kim-jong-nam-likely-died-heart-attack-n728041" target="_blank">NBC </a>reported that a North Korean official disputed the cause of death, suggesting&nbsp;Kim Jong Nam wasn&#39;t murdered by assassins who used poison on the orders of his half-brother&#39;s secretive regime, but rather died of a natural heart attack.

North Korea requested that no autopsy be conducted, NBC reports, but Malaysia did&nbsp;one anyway and found the nerve agent VX on&nbsp;Kim Jong Nam&#39;s eyes and face.&nbsp;

Two women were caught on camera in the airport, smearing Kim Jong Nam&#39;s face. He died twenty minutes later.&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xJZvE2qhGd0" width="560"></iframe>

Kang Chol, North Korea&#39;s ambassador to Malaysia, said last month his country &quot;cannot trust&quot; Malaysia&#39;s handling of the probe, and also accused the country of &quot;colluding with outside forces&quot; in a veiled reference to bitter rival South Korea.

Malaysian foreign minister Anifah Haji Aman said in a statement on Saturday that Malaysia had demanded an apology from the ambassador for his comments, but none was forthcoming.

&quot;Malaysia will react strongly against any insults made against it or any attempt to tarnish its reputation,&quot; Anifah said.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

US?and South Korean officials have said he was killed by North Korean agents. A North Korean official suggested it was a heart attack

Malaysia on Saturday expelled the North Korean ambassador to the country, declaring him "persona non grata" and asking the envoy to leave Malaysia within 48 hours. The move comes nearly three weeks after Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was murdered at Kuala Lumpur's airport with a toxic nerve agent. US and South Korean officials have said he was killed by agents of the North Korean regime. NBC reported that a North Korean official disputed the cause of death, suggesting Kim Jong Nam wasn't murdered by assassins who used poison on the orders of his half-brother's secretive regime, but rather died of a natural heart attack. North Korea requested that no autopsy be conducted, NBC reports, but Malaysia did one anyway and found the nerve agent VX on Kim Jong Nam's eyes and face. Two women were caught on camera in the airport, smearing Kim Jong Nam's face. He died twenty minutes later. Kang Chol, North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia, said last month his country "cannot trust" Malaysia's handling of the probe, and also accused the country of "colluding with outside forces" in a veiled reference to bitter rival South Korea. Malaysian foreign minister Anifah Haji Aman said in a statement on Saturday that Malaysia had demanded an apology from the ambassador for his comments, but none was forthcoming. "Malaysia will react strongly against any insults made against it or any attempt to tarnish its reputation," Anifah said. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Malaysia expels North Korean ambassador after Kim Jong Nam murder

Vietnam said Saturday the Vietnamese woman accused of killing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un&#39;s half brother told officials she thought she was taking part in a prank for a comedy video.

Doan Thi Huong was arrested alongside an Indonesian woman, with both accused of carrying out a fatal poison attack on Kim Jong-Nam in Malaysia on February 13.&nbsp;

Leaked CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur airport shows two women shoving something into Kim&#39;s face. The 45-year-old later suffered a seizure and was dead before he reached hospital.

Huong told Vietnam&#39;s foreign ministry that she believed she was tricked into killing Kim in a bizarre Cold-War-style killing.

&quot;She is in stable health. During contact with embassy staff, Huong said she... had thought she was playing a role in a humorous video clip,&quot; a statement from Vietnam&#39;s foreign ministry said, confirming that she was a Vietnamese national.&nbsp;

The ministry added it would cooperate with Malaysian authorities on the investigation.

Huong gained notoriety after Malaysian police shared CCTV images of the 28-year-old at the airport wearing a top emblazoned with &quot;LOL&quot; shortly after the high-profile assassination.&nbsp;

Unsubstantiated photographs have circulated on social media showing a woman who looks similar to Huong auditioning for a television talent show.

Others have linked to a YouTube channel apparently showing the same young woman kissing a famous social media prankster.

Vietnamese officials have not released any further details about Huong, but family members have said she was fashion-conscious, maintained funky hairstyles and dated foreign boyfriends. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Indonesian woman being held over the assassination said earlier she had been paid $90 for taking part in what she thought was a TV prank show.

Malaysian police have said Kim was assassinated with VX -- a lethal nerve agent manufactured for chemical warfare and listed by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction.

(AFP)

Doan Thi Huong told Vietnam's foreign ministry that she believed she was tricked into killing Kim in a bizarre Cold-War-style killing

Vietnam said Saturday the Vietnamese woman accused of killing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's half brother told officials she thought she was taking part in a prank for a comedy video. Doan Thi Huong was arrested alongside an Indonesian woman, with both accused of carrying out a fatal poison attack on Kim Jong-Nam in Malaysia on February 13. Leaked CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur airport shows two women shoving something into Kim's face. The 45-year-old later suffered a seizure and was dead before he reached hospital. Huong told Vietnam's foreign ministry that she believed she was tricked into killing Kim in a bizarre Cold-War-style killing. "She is in stable health. During contact with embassy staff, Huong said she... had thought she was playing a role in a humorous video clip," a statement from Vietnam's foreign ministry said, confirming that she was a Vietnamese national. The ministry added it would cooperate with Malaysian authorities on the investigation. Huong gained notoriety after Malaysian police shared CCTV images of the 28-year-old at the airport wearing a top emblazoned with "LOL" shortly after the high-profile assassination. Unsubstantiated photographs have circulated on social media showing a woman who looks similar to Huong auditioning for a television talent show. Others have linked to a YouTube channel apparently showing the same young woman kissing a famous social media prankster. Vietnamese officials have not released any further details about Huong, but family members have said she was fashion-conscious, maintained funky hairstyles and dated foreign boyfriends. The Indonesian woman being held over the assassination said earlier she had been paid $90 for taking part in what she thought was a TV prank show. Malaysian police have said Kim was assassinated with VX -- a lethal nerve agent manufactured for chemical warfare and listed by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction. (AFP)

Vietnamese woman accused of killing Kim thought she was in 'comedy video'

An Indonesian woman, detained in Malaysia in connection with the murder of&nbsp;Kim Jong-Nam, said she was paid just RM400 ($90) for participating in what she believed was a TV prank show, a senior diplomat reportedly told media.

Twenty five-year-old Siti Aisyah said she thought she was handling something like &quot;baby oil&quot; and not a lethal nerve agent manufactured for chemical warfare.

Two women were caught on CCTV spraying a liquid into Kim Jong-Nam&#39;s face at Kuala Lumpur international airport on February 13.

On Friday, Malaysia revealed that the liquid used to assassinate Kim was a nerve agent that has been banned by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.

Indonesia&#39;s deputy ambassador to Malaysia Andreano Erwin said it was premature to think of the nature of charges that would be slapped on her.

Erwin had received consular access to Siti in Kulaa Lumpur on Saturday.

Another female suspect, Doan Thi Huong, 28, is also in custody over the murder, but Erwin said Siti had told Indonesian consular staff she did not know her.&nbsp;

Malaysian police have said one of the women arrested after the attack fell ill in custody, adding she had been vomiting.

However, Erwin said Siti was physically healthy.&nbsp;

&#39;Blatant violation&#39;&nbsp;

The news Friday that lethal VX nerve agent was used in the attack brought condemnation from South Korea, which has pointed the finger at the North over Kim&#39;s death.

Seoul slammed the use of the toxin as a &quot;blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and other international norms&quot;.&nbsp;

The fallout from the attack continued after US media reported unofficial talks in New York between North Korean and former American officials had been cancelled.

Earlier Saturday Malaysian police told the public they would do everything possible to ensure there was no risk from the lethal VX nerve agent used to assassinate Kim Jong-Nam.

People were worried about the use of the highly toxic agent, state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said.&nbsp;

&quot;We are taking action on this to be really sure,&quot; Abdul Samah said.

&quot;We are working closely with our counterparts from our chemistry department, forensics and the team from the nuclear atomic agency in Malaysia.&quot;

He added: &quot;We want to make it clear to the public if there is any effects ... which could affect the health of the people.&quot;

National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said Friday experts would sweep the airport terminal where the attack took place for traces of the toxin as well as other locations the two female suspects visited.

Detectives are also holding a North Korean man but want to speak to seven other North Koreans, four of whom are thought to have fled to Pyongyang.

One man wanted for questioning, who is believed to still be in Malaysia, is senior North Korean embassy official Hyon Kwang Song, who enjoys diplomatic immunity. &nbsp;

However, Abdul Samah insisted under Malaysian law &quot;we have the right to call anybody for statements for our investigations&quot;.

He added if wanted people do not co-operate, police would issue a notice&nbsp;&quot;compelling&quot; them to come forward.

Abdul Samah also told reporters an investigation in connection to the murder was ongoing at an apartment complex in Kuala Lumpur but declined to comment on local media reports chemicals has been seized from the address.&nbsp;

No next-of-kin have yet come forward to formally identify the body of the 45-year-old victim or provide a DNA sample, but Abdul Samah said authorities would give relatives a &quot;reasonable&quot; amount of time to do so. &nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The Indonesian suspect thought the spray bottle had baby oil instead of a lethal nerve agent that killed Kim Jong-Un's half-brother

An Indonesian woman, detained in Malaysia in connection with the murder of Kim Jong-Nam, said she was paid just RM400 ($90) for participating in what she believed was a TV prank show, a senior diplomat reportedly told media. Twenty five-year-old Siti Aisyah said she thought she was handling something like "baby oil" and not a lethal nerve agent manufactured for chemical warfare. Two women were caught on CCTV spraying a liquid into Kim Jong-Nam's face at Kuala Lumpur international airport on February 13. On Friday, Malaysia revealed that the liquid used to assassinate Kim was a nerve agent that has been banned by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction. Indonesia's deputy ambassador to Malaysia Andreano Erwin said it was premature to think of the nature of charges that would be slapped on her. Erwin had received consular access to Siti in Kulaa Lumpur on Saturday. Another female suspect, Doan Thi Huong, 28, is also in custody over the murder, but Erwin said Siti had told Indonesian consular staff she did not know her. Malaysian police have said one of the women arrested after the attack fell ill in custody, adding she had been vomiting. However, Erwin said Siti was physically healthy. 'Blatant violation' The news Friday that lethal VX nerve agent was used in the attack brought condemnation from South Korea, which has pointed the finger at the North over Kim's death. Seoul slammed the use of the toxin as a "blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and other international norms". The fallout from the attack continued after US media reported unofficial talks in New York between North Korean and former American officials had been cancelled. Earlier Saturday Malaysian police told the public they would do everything possible to ensure there was no risk from the lethal VX nerve agent used to assassinate Kim Jong-Nam. People were worried about the use of the highly toxic agent, state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said. "We are taking action on this to be really sure," Abdul Samah said. "We are working closely with our counterparts from our chemistry department, forensics and the team from the nuclear atomic agency in Malaysia." He added: "We want to make it clear to the public if there is any effects ... which could affect the health of the people." National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said Friday experts would sweep the airport terminal where the attack took place for traces of the toxin as well as other locations the two female suspects visited. Detectives are also holding a North Korean man but want to speak to seven other North Koreans, four of whom are thought to have fled to Pyongyang. One man wanted for questioning, who is believed to still be in Malaysia, is senior North Korean embassy official Hyon Kwang Song, who enjoys diplomatic immunity. However, Abdul Samah insisted under Malaysian law "we have the right to call anybody for statements for our investigations". He added if wanted people do not co-operate, police would issue a notice "compelling" them to come forward. Abdul Samah also told reporters an investigation in connection to the murder was ongoing at an apartment complex in Kuala Lumpur but declined to comment on local media reports chemicals has been seized from the address. No next-of-kin have yet come forward to formally identify the body of the 45-year-old victim or provide a DNA sample, but Abdul Samah said authorities would give relatives a "reasonable" amount of time to do so. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Kim Jong-Nam murder: Suspect paid just $90 for 'TV prank show'

Indonesian diplomats in Malaysia will meet on Saturday with a female national in detention for the murder of the half-brother of North Korea&rsquo;s leader, the Indonesian foreign ministry said on Friday.

The Indonesian woman is one of three suspects being held for the apparent assassination with a chemical weapon of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of Kim Jong Un, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb&nbsp;13.

&quot;The Indonesian foreign minister has obtained confirmation that our embassy and lawyers will get consular access (to the suspect),&quot; the foreign ministry said in a statement.

&quot;Consular access will be used to physically verify the suspect&#39;s nationality ... and obtain preliminary information to provide legal assistance,&quot; the statement added.

In keeping with Malaysian law, Indonesian officials had previously not been allowed to question the suspect.

The Indonesian woman, alongside a Vietnamese woman, is alleged to have killed Kim Jong Nam by wiping across his face a substance that authorities have identified as VX nerve agent.

VX is classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction and is the most potent nerve agent ever created.

Malaysian police are investigating whether the chemical was brought into the country or produced here.

Footage released earlier this week by Japanese broadcaster Fuji TV appears to show two women lunge at the victim as he prepared to board a flight to the Chinese territory of Macau.

They grab at his face and then quickly walk away in different directions. Later clips show the victim asking airport officials for medical help.

Family members of Indonesian national Siti Aishah have said she believed she had been part of a prank on a TV show.

But Malaysian police have said the two women had rehearsed the attack before carrying it out and had been instructed to wash their hands afterwards.

Police have also arrested the Vietnamese woman and a North Korean man. Seven other North Koreans, including a diplomat at their embassy in Kuala Lumpur, are also wanted.

(Reuters)

The Indonesian woman is one of the 3 suspects being held for the apparent assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother

Indonesian diplomats in Malaysia will meet on Saturday with a female national in detention for the murder of the half-brother of North Korea’s leader, the Indonesian foreign ministry said on Friday. The Indonesian woman is one of three suspects being held for the apparent assassination with a chemical weapon of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of Kim Jong Un, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb 13. "The Indonesian foreign minister has obtained confirmation that our embassy and lawyers will get consular access (to the suspect)," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Consular access will be used to physically verify the suspect's nationality ... and obtain preliminary information to provide legal assistance," the statement added. In keeping with Malaysian law, Indonesian officials had previously not been allowed to question the suspect. The Indonesian woman, alongside a Vietnamese woman, is alleged to have killed Kim Jong Nam by wiping across his face a substance that authorities have identified as VX nerve agent. VX is classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction and is the most potent nerve agent ever created. Malaysian police are investigating whether the chemical was brought into the country or produced here. Footage released earlier this week by Japanese broadcaster Fuji TV appears to show two women lunge at the victim as he prepared to board a flight to the Chinese territory of Macau. They grab at his face and then quickly walk away in different directions. Later clips show the victim asking airport officials for medical help. Family members of Indonesian national Siti Aishah have said she believed she had been part of a prank on a TV show. But Malaysian police have said the two women had rehearsed the attack before carrying it out and had been instructed to wash their hands afterwards. Police have also arrested the Vietnamese woman and a North Korean man. Seven other North Koreans, including a diplomat at their embassy in Kuala Lumpur, are also wanted. (Reuters)

Indonesian officials to meet national held over Kim Jong Nam murder on Saturday

Four North Korean suspects in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un fled Malaysia on the day he was attacked at Kuala Lumpur airport and apparently killed by a fast-acting poison, police said on Sunday.

A North Korean man, a Vietnamese woman and an Indonesian women have been arrested already in connection with the assassination of Kim Jong Nam last Monday, which has triggered a diplomatic spat between Malaysia and Pyongyang.

South Korean and US&nbsp;officials believe Kim Jong Nam was killed by agents from the reclusive North, whose diplomats in Kuala Lumpur sought to prevent an autopsy on the 46-year-old&#39;s body and demanded it be handed over.

&quot;We believe the North Korean regime is behind this incident considering five suspects are North Koreans&quot; Jeong Joon-hee, spokesman at the South Korea&#39;s Unification Ministry that handles inter-Korea affairs, told a briefing on Sunday.

Kim Jong Nam, the eldest son of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, had spoken out publicly against his family&#39;s dynastic control of isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea.

The young, unpredictable North Korean leader had issued a &quot;standing order&quot; for his elder half-brother&#39;s assassination, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012.

Deputy Inspector-General of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim told a news conference that Malaysia is coordinating with Interpol to track down the four North Koreans but would not reveal where they flew to on the day of the murder.

&quot;The four suspects are holding normal passports, not diplomatic passports,&quot; he said. &quot;Next plan is to get them. We of course have international cooperation especially with Interpol, bilateral involvement with the country involved, we will go through those avenues to get the people involved.&quot;

He named the four who escaped as Ri Ji Hyon, Hong Song Hac, O Joong Gil, and Ri Jae Nam. The police are looking for three other people who are not suspects but who they believe could help with their enquiries, one of whom is North Korean.

Police said the cause of death was still not known and that they were waiting for pathology and toxicology tests after conducting a post-mortem.

Tussle over body

Police believe the two women carried out the attack on Kim Jong Nam, thrusting a cloth seeped in some chemical into his face in the departure lounge of the airport, where he had been due to take a flight to Macau.

The mother of the Indonesian women, Siti Aishah, told Reuters on Saturday that her daughter had been duped into believing she was part of a TV show or advertisement.

&quot;She said she wanted to go to Malaysia for filming on a show to make people surprised by spraying perfume on somebody else,&quot; said Benah, who goes by one name. She was offered a job by someone to become an advertisement model for perfume.&quot;

Asked about the theory that the women thought they were playing a prank, Noor Rashid said: &quot;I think there is footage being released ... and you can interpret from the footage.&quot;

South Korea&#39;s intelligence agency told lawmakers in Seoul that Kim Jong Nam had been living with his second wife in the Chinese territory of Macau, under China&#39;s protection.

North Korea has said it will reject Malaysia&#39;s autopsy report and accused Malaysia of &quot;colluding with outside forces&quot;, a veiled reference to rival South Korea.

&quot;They can say anything, but as far as we are concerned we follow legal and procedural requirements of our country,&quot; Noor Rashid said.

He added that the police were trying to contact Kim Jong Nam&#39;s next-of-kin to identify the body through &quot;scientific means&quot;, and would give them two weeks to claim the body.

Malaysia is one of the few countries that has maintained good diplomatic relations with North Korea.

Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear arms and weapons programmes have alarmed the West, most recently its test of a ballistic missile earlier this month in its first direct challenge to the international community since Donald Trump became US&nbsp;president.

Pyongyang&#39;s main ally and trading partner is China, which is irritated by its repeated aggressive actions but rejects suggestions from the United States and others that it could be doing more to rein in its neighbour.

On Saturday, China said it had further tightened trade restrictions with North Korea by suspending all imports of coal starting February&nbsp;19, although it did not say why. Coal exports to China are a vital source of revenues for Pyongyang.

(Reuters)

South Korean and US?officials believe Kim Jong Nam was killed by agents from the reclusive North

Four North Korean suspects in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un fled Malaysia on the day he was attacked at Kuala Lumpur airport and apparently killed by a fast-acting poison, police said on Sunday. A North Korean man, a Vietnamese woman and an Indonesian women have been arrested already in connection with the assassination of Kim Jong Nam last Monday, which has triggered a diplomatic spat between Malaysia and Pyongyang. South Korean and US officials believe Kim Jong Nam was killed by agents from the reclusive North, whose diplomats in Kuala Lumpur sought to prevent an autopsy on the 46-year-old's body and demanded it be handed over. "We believe the North Korean regime is behind this incident considering five suspects are North Koreans" Jeong Joon-hee, spokesman at the South Korea's Unification Ministry that handles inter-Korea affairs, told a briefing on Sunday. Kim Jong Nam, the eldest son of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea. The young, unpredictable North Korean leader had issued a "standing order" for his elder half-brother's assassination, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012. Deputy Inspector-General of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim told a news conference that Malaysia is coordinating with Interpol to track down the four North Koreans but would not reveal where they flew to on the day of the murder. "The four suspects are holding normal passports, not diplomatic passports," he said. "Next plan is to get them. We of course have international cooperation especially with Interpol, bilateral involvement with the country involved, we will go through those avenues to get the people involved." He named the four who escaped as Ri Ji Hyon, Hong Song Hac, O Joong Gil, and Ri Jae Nam. The police are looking for three other people who are not suspects but who they believe could help with their enquiries, one of whom is North Korean. Police said the cause of death was still not known and that they were waiting for pathology and toxicology tests after conducting a post-mortem. Tussle over body Police believe the two women carried out the attack on Kim Jong Nam, thrusting a cloth seeped in some chemical into his face in the departure lounge of the airport, where he had been due to take a flight to Macau. The mother of the Indonesian women, Siti Aishah, told Reuters on Saturday that her daughter had been duped into believing she was part of a TV show or advertisement. "She said she wanted to go to Malaysia for filming on a show to make people surprised by spraying perfume on somebody else," said Benah, who goes by one name. She was offered a job by someone to become an advertisement model for perfume." Asked about the theory that the women thought they were playing a prank, Noor Rashid said: "I think there is footage being released ... and you can interpret from the footage." South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers in Seoul that Kim Jong Nam had been living with his second wife in the Chinese territory of Macau, under China's protection. North Korea has said it will reject Malaysia's autopsy report and accused Malaysia of "colluding with outside forces", a veiled reference to rival South Korea. "They can say anything, but as far as we are concerned we follow legal and procedural requirements of our country," Noor Rashid said. He added that the police were trying to contact Kim Jong Nam's next-of-kin to identify the body through "scientific means", and would give them two weeks to claim the body. Malaysia is one of the few countries that has maintained good diplomatic relations with North Korea. Pyongyang's nuclear arms and weapons programmes have alarmed the West, most recently its test of a ballistic missile earlier this month in its first direct challenge to the international community since Donald Trump became US president. Pyongyang's main ally and trading partner is China, which is irritated by its repeated aggressive actions but rejects suggestions from the United States and others that it could be doing more to rein in its neighbour. On Saturday, China said it had further tightened trade restrictions with North Korea by suspending all imports of coal starting February 19, although it did not say why. Coal exports to China are a vital source of revenues for Pyongyang. (Reuters)

4 suspects 'fled' after killing North Korea leader Kim's half-brother: Malaysia

A battle between North Korea and Malaysia for the body of Kim Jong-Un&#39;s murdered brother intensified Saturday, as foreign police said one of the suspected killers believed she was taking part in a reality TV prank.

The body of Kim-Jong Nam has been held in a Kuala Lumpur morgue since he was assassinated in a Cold War-style killing at the capital&#39;s international airport on Monday.&nbsp;

Pyongyang accused Malaysia of conspiring with its enemies and said it would reject any results of a post-mortem examination carried out by local police, after Malaysia rejected demands to return the remains.&nbsp;

&quot;The Malaysian side forced the post-mortem without our permission and witnessing. We will categorically reject the result of the post-mortem conducted unilaterally excluding our attendance,&quot; the North Korean ambassador told reporters gathered outside the morgue shortly before midnight on Friday.

The comments were the first official remarks from the country since the killing, but ambassador Kang Chol stopped short of identifying Jong-Nam or touching on his cause of death.&nbsp;

North Korean state media has remained silent on the murder, which Seoul says was carried out by poison-wielding female agents working for Pyongyang.

The ambassador earlier met with Malaysian police, demanding the release of the body without success, according to an English transcript of the envoy&#39;s comments distributed by an aide.

&quot;They are colluding with the hostile forces towards us who are desperate to harm us of malice,&quot; the transcript said, suggesting South Korea was trying to defame the North in a bid to distract from a corruption scandal at home.&nbsp;

On Saturday Malaysia&#39;s police chief said Pyongyang would have to wait for the investigation to be completed, which would include a family member sending a DNA sample to identify the body.

&quot;While in Malaysia, everyone has to obey and follow our rules and regulations... that includes North Korea,&quot; Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar told national news agency Bernama.

A &#39;TV show prank&#39; 
Detectives in Kuala Lumpur have arrested a 25-year-old Indonesian woman named Siti Aishah and her Malaysian boyfriend, along with a woman carrying a Vietnamese passport that identified her as Doan Thi Huong, 28.&nbsp;

Indonesian Police Chief Tito Karnavian said he had information from Malaysia that Aishah was tricked into thinking she was simply taking part in pranks for a TV show like &quot;Just For Laughs&quot;.

&quot;Probably she was just used -- she did not realise it was an assassination attempt,&quot; he was quoted as saying in local media.

He said Aishah was persuaded to carry out similar pranks -- spraying a substance into someone&#39;s eyes -- with another woman on three or four previous occasions in exchange for money.

But on the final occasion, it involved an attack on Kim Jong-Nam with &quot;hazardous materials&quot;, he said.

Aishah&#39;s family in Jakarta expressed shock over her arrest, with her former father-in-law saying there was &quot;no way such a nice person would do that&quot;.

&quot;I could not believe it because she was a good person,&quot; said Tija Liang Kiong, 56.&nbsp;

Vietnam have said they are co-operating with Malaysian authorities.&nbsp;

The drama erupted on Monday morning as Jong-Nam prepared to board a plane to Macau.

Malaysian police say the 45-year-old was jumped by two women who squirted some kind of liquid in his face.

Jong-Nam told staff he was suffering from a headache and was taken to the airport clinic grimacing in pain, according to Malaysian media citing CCTV footage from the airport.

He was once thought to be the natural successor to his father, but on Kim Jong-Il&#39;s death in 2011 the succession went to Kim Jong-Un, who was born to the former leader&#39;s third wife.&nbsp;

Reports of purges and executions have emerged from the current regime as Kim Jong-Un tries to strengthen his grip on power in the face of international pressure over nuclear and missile programmes.&nbsp;

(AFP)

'Probably she was just used -- she did not realise it was an assassination attempt,' he was quoted as saying in local media

A battle between North Korea and Malaysia for the body of Kim Jong-Un's murdered brother intensified Saturday, as foreign police said one of the suspected killers believed she was taking part in a reality TV prank. The body of Kim-Jong Nam has been held in a Kuala Lumpur morgue since he was assassinated in a Cold War-style killing at the capital's international airport on Monday. Pyongyang accused Malaysia of conspiring with its enemies and said it would reject any results of a post-mortem examination carried out by local police, after Malaysia rejected demands to return the remains. "The Malaysian side forced the post-mortem without our permission and witnessing. We will categorically reject the result of the post-mortem conducted unilaterally excluding our attendance," the North Korean ambassador told reporters gathered outside the morgue shortly before midnight on Friday. The comments were the first official remarks from the country since the killing, but ambassador Kang Chol stopped short of identifying Jong-Nam or touching on his cause of death. North Korean state media has remained silent on the murder, which Seoul says was carried out by poison-wielding female agents working for Pyongyang. The ambassador earlier met with Malaysian police, demanding the release of the body without success, according to an English transcript of the envoy's comments distributed by an aide. "They are colluding with the hostile forces towards us who are desperate to harm us of malice," the transcript said, suggesting South Korea was trying to defame the North in a bid to distract from a corruption scandal at home. On Saturday Malaysia's police chief said Pyongyang would have to wait for the investigation to be completed, which would include a family member sending a DNA sample to identify the body. "While in Malaysia, everyone has to obey and follow our rules and regulations... that includes North Korea," Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar told national news agency Bernama. A 'TV show prank' Detectives in Kuala Lumpur have arrested a 25-year-old Indonesian woman named Siti Aishah and her Malaysian boyfriend, along with a woman carrying a Vietnamese passport that identified her as Doan Thi Huong, 28. Indonesian Police Chief Tito Karnavian said he had information from Malaysia that Aishah was tricked into thinking she was simply taking part in pranks for a TV show like "Just For Laughs". "Probably she was just used -- she did not realise it was an assassination attempt," he was quoted as saying in local media. He said Aishah was persuaded to carry out similar pranks -- spraying a substance into someone's eyes -- with another woman on three or four previous occasions in exchange for money. But on the final occasion, it involved an attack on Kim Jong-Nam with "hazardous materials", he said. Aishah's family in Jakarta expressed shock over her arrest, with her former father-in-law saying there was "no way such a nice person would do that". "I could not believe it because she was a good person," said Tija Liang Kiong, 56. Vietnam have said they are co-operating with Malaysian authorities. The drama erupted on Monday morning as Jong-Nam prepared to board a plane to Macau. Malaysian police say the 45-year-old was jumped by two women who squirted some kind of liquid in his face. Jong-Nam told staff he was suffering from a headache and was taken to the airport clinic grimacing in pain, according to Malaysian media citing CCTV footage from the airport. He was once thought to be the natural successor to his father, but on Kim Jong-Il's death in 2011 the succession went to Kim Jong-Un, who was born to the former leader's third wife. Reports of purges and executions have emerged from the current regime as Kim Jong-Un tries to strengthen his grip on power in the face of international pressure over nuclear and missile programmes. (AFP)

Indonesia police chief: One of Kim's killers thought she was in TV prank

The estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un&nbsp;has been murdered in Malaysia, a South Korean government source said on Tuesday.

Kim Jong Nam, the older half brother of Kim Jong-un, was known to spend a significant amount of his time outside North Korea and had spoken out publicly against his family&#39;s dynastic control of the isolated state.

Malaysian police official Fadzil Ahmat said the cause of Kim&#39;s death was not known yet, and that a post mortem would be carried out.

&quot;So far there are no suspects, but we have started investigations and are looking at a few possibilities to get leads,&quot; Fadzil told&nbsp;Reuters.

When asked about the nature of the reported attack, Fadzil said: &quot;We don&#39;t know if there was a cloth or needles; the receptionist said someone grabbed his face, he felt dizzy.&quot;

In a statement, Malaysian police said the dead man, aged 46, held a passport under the name Kim Chol.

Kim Jong Nam has been caught in the past using forged travel documents.&nbsp;

South Korea&#39;s TV Chosun, a cable-TV network, reported that Kim had been poisoned with a needle by two women believed to be North Korean operatives who fled in a taxi and were at large, citing multiple South Korean government sources.

Reuters could not confirm those details.

In Washington, a US government source said the United States believed that North Korean agents were responsible for the murder, but did not provide firm evidence to support that conclusion.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Trump administration, which is facing a stiff challenge from a defiant North Korea over its test of a ballistic missile last weekend.

Malaysia is one of a dwindling number of countries that has close relations with North Korea, which is under tightening global sanctions over its nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, the latest of which took place on Sunday.

Malaysians and North Koreans can visit each other&#39;s country without visas.

Kim Jong Nam and Kim Jong-un&nbsp;are both sons of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who died in late 2011, but they had different mothers.

Kim Jong Nam said several times over the years that he had no interest in leading his country.

&quot;Personally, I am against third-generation succession,&quot; he told Japan&#39;s Asahi TV in 2010. &quot;I hope my younger brother will do his best for the sake of North Koreans` prosperous lives.&quot;

(Reuters)

 
&nbsp;

Sources in the US govt believe that North Korean agents are responsible for the murder

The estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been murdered in Malaysia, a South Korean government source said on Tuesday. Kim Jong Nam, the older half brother of Kim Jong-un, was known to spend a significant amount of his time outside North Korea and had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of the isolated state. Malaysian police official Fadzil Ahmat said the cause of Kim's death was not known yet, and that a post mortem would be carried out. "So far there are no suspects, but we have started investigations and are looking at a few possibilities to get leads," Fadzil told Reuters. When asked about the nature of the reported attack, Fadzil said: "We don't know if there was a cloth or needles; the receptionist said someone grabbed his face, he felt dizzy." In a statement, Malaysian police said the dead man, aged 46, held a passport under the name Kim Chol. Kim Jong Nam has been caught in the past using forged travel documents. South Korea's TV Chosun, a cable-TV network, reported that Kim had been poisoned with a needle by two women believed to be North Korean operatives who fled in a taxi and were at large, citing multiple South Korean government sources. Reuters could not confirm those details. In Washington, a US government source said the United States believed that North Korean agents were responsible for the murder, but did not provide firm evidence to support that conclusion. There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Trump administration, which is facing a stiff challenge from a defiant North Korea over its test of a ballistic missile last weekend. Malaysia is one of a dwindling number of countries that has close relations with North Korea, which is under tightening global sanctions over its nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, the latest of which took place on Sunday. Malaysians and North Koreans can visit each other's country without visas. Kim Jong Nam and Kim Jong-un are both sons of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who died in late 2011, but they had different mothers. Kim Jong Nam said several times over the years that he had no interest in leading his country. "Personally, I am against third-generation succession," he told Japan's Asahi TV in 2010. "I hope my younger brother will do his best for the sake of North Koreans` prosperous lives." (Reuters)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother found dead in Malaysia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects to the reclusive country`s former leaders on New Year`s day, state media reported.

The state-run television KRT showed a video of Kim accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju along with other leaders of the party, state and army visiting the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the embalmed bodies of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung and former leader Kim Jong Il are preserved.

KRT said the visit was made on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, KRT broadcast Kim`s New Year speech, saying the isolated nuclear-capable country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016, although some experts have said it is years away from developing an ICBM fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States.

The country has been under UN&nbsp;sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on September 9.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

The state-run broadcaster had earlier said that the country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects to the reclusive country`s former leaders on New Year`s day, state media reported. The state-run television KRT showed a video of Kim accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju along with other leaders of the party, state and army visiting the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the embalmed bodies of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung and former leader Kim Jong Il are preserved. KRT said the visit was made on Sunday. Earlier in the day, KRT broadcast Kim`s New Year speech, saying the isolated nuclear-capable country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016, although some experts have said it is years away from developing an ICBM fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States. The country has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on September 9. (Reuters)

Kim Jong Un pays homage to North Korea's former leaders on New Year

The UN Security Council will convene today&nbsp;to discuss North Korea after the isolated communist state test-fired three ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan during the G20 summit in China, sparking condemnation from a senior US official at the meeting. 
 
The discussion, requested by council members Japan and the United States, is slated to begin at 11:30 am local time (1530 GMT) in New York, where the council will consider a response to the latest missile launches. 
 
North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Monday, South Korea&#39;s military said, that coincided with the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China. 
 
The South&#39;s military said the missiles were medium-range Rodong-class, launched as a show of force timed to coincide with the G20 summit. 
 
The missiles were fired from a region south of the capital Pyongyang just after noon local time (0300 GMT) and flew about 1,000 km (600 miles), hitting Japan&#39;s air defence identification zone, the South&#39;s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. 
 
&quot;We are still analysing details but this is a grave threat to our nation&#39;s security, and we express deep concern,&quot; the Japan defence ministry said in a statement. 
 
Monday&rsquo;s launches were the latest in a series of launches coming from North Korea this year. 
 
Last month, North Korea successfully launched a ballistic missile from a submarine. 
 
Shortly after the missile launches, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on the sidelines of the G20 summit and agreed to cooperate on monitoring the situation, a Japanese statement said. 
 
South Korea&#39;s Park told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the North&#39;s fourth nuclear test and its ballistic missile launches this year threatened regional peace and posed a challenge to South Korea&#39;s ties with China, Yonhap news agency reported earlier. 
 
During the meeting, Xi reaffirmed China&#39;s commitment to realising the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, China&#39;s state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday. 
 
Xi also told Park that Beijing opposed the proposed deployment of a THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea, which Seoul and the United States have said is designed to counter an increasing missile threat from North Korea. 
 
&ldquo;Mishandling the issue is not conducive to strategic stability in the region and could intensify disputes,&rdquo; Xi told Park, according to a report from the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

N Korea yesterday fired three ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan that coincided with the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China

The UN Security Council will convene today to discuss North Korea after the isolated communist state test-fired three ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan during the G20 summit in China, sparking condemnation from a senior US official at the meeting. The discussion, requested by council members Japan and the United States, is slated to begin at 11:30 am local time (1530 GMT) in New York, where the council will consider a response to the latest missile launches. North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Monday, South Korea's military said, that coincided with the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China. The South's military said the missiles were medium-range Rodong-class, launched as a show of force timed to coincide with the G20 summit. The missiles were fired from a region south of the capital Pyongyang just after noon local time (0300 GMT) and flew about 1,000 km (600 miles), hitting Japan's air defence identification zone, the South's Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. "We are still analysing details but this is a grave threat to our nation's security, and we express deep concern," the Japan defence ministry said in a statement. Monday’s launches were the latest in a series of launches coming from North Korea this year. Last month, North Korea successfully launched a ballistic missile from a submarine. Shortly after the missile launches, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on the sidelines of the G20 summit and agreed to cooperate on monitoring the situation, a Japanese statement said. South Korea's Park told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the North's fourth nuclear test and its ballistic missile launches this year threatened regional peace and posed a challenge to South Korea's ties with China, Yonhap news agency reported earlier. During the meeting, Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to realising the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, China's state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday. Xi also told Park that Beijing opposed the proposed deployment of a THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea, which Seoul and the United States have said is designed to counter an increasing missile threat from North Korea. “Mishandling the issue is not conducive to strategic stability in the region and could intensify disputes,” Xi told Park, according to a report from the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua. (WION with inputs from agencies)

North Korea missile test triggers UNSC meeting

North Korea&#39;s parliament awarded Kim Jong Un a new post on Wednesday, adding to a long list of titles for the young leader. 
 
The North&#39;s state-run television KRT released a video of Kim attending its Supreme People&#39;s Assembly, and said Kim was appointed chairman of the State Affairs Commission of Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which appears to be newly formed and whose function was not immediately clear. 
 
He also has the titles of the Dear Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the Workers&#39; Party of Korea, First Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea and Supreme Commander of the Korean People&#39;s Army. 
 
Kim also holds the rank of marshal in the North Korean military, and is more usually referred to &quot;our marshal&quot; in propaganda and common parlance. 
 
The parliament meets once or twice a year to formally approve budgets or policies set out by the ruling Workers&#39; Party. It also has the authority to grant Kim new titles or positions within North Korea&#39;s opaque leadership structure. 
 
The meeting was called to implement policy aims stated in a rare Workers&#39; Party congress in May, during which Kim Jong Un announced a five-year economic plan. 
 
On June 22, North Korea launched two Musudan intermediate-range missiles, drawing strong condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States for infringing UN sanctions designed to stop Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear and missile development programs. 
 
North Korea referred to the missile as a &quot;Hwasong-10&quot; and said the test did not put the security of neighbouring countries at risk. 
 
(Reuters)

The label is new and the function that comes with it is not immediately clear

North Korea's parliament awarded Kim Jong Un a new post on Wednesday, adding to a long list of titles for the young leader. The North's state-run television KRT released a video of Kim attending its Supreme People's Assembly, and said Kim was appointed chairman of the State Affairs Commission of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which appears to be newly formed and whose function was not immediately clear. He also has the titles of the Dear Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, First Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. Kim also holds the rank of marshal in the North Korean military, and is more usually referred to "our marshal" in propaganda and common parlance. The parliament meets once or twice a year to formally approve budgets or policies set out by the ruling Workers' Party. It also has the authority to grant Kim new titles or positions within North Korea's opaque leadership structure. The meeting was called to implement policy aims stated in a rare Workers' Party congress in May, during which Kim Jong Un announced a five-year economic plan. On June 22, North Korea launched two Musudan intermediate-range missiles, drawing strong condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States for infringing UN sanctions designed to stop Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development programs. North Korea referred to the missile as a "Hwasong-10" and said the test did not put the security of neighbouring countries at risk. (Reuters)

Kim Jong Un gets himself a new title, he already has a few

North Korea&#39;s parliament awarded Kim Jong Un a new post today, adding to a long list of titles for the young leader. 
 
The North&#39;s state television said Kim was made chairman of the state affairs committee, a body that appears to be newly formed and whose function was not immediately clear. 
 
He also has the titles of the Dear Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the Workers&#39; Party of Korea, First Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea and Supreme Commander of the Korean People&#39;s Army. 
 
Kim, believed to be in his early 30s, attended the assembly meeting today. He also holds the rank of marshal in the North Korean military, and is more usually referred to &quot;our marshal&quot; in propaganda and common parlance. 
 
The parliament meets once or twice a year to formally approve budgets or policies set out by the ruling Workers&#39; Party. It also has the authority to grant Kim new titles or positions within North Korea&#39;s opaque leadership structure. 
 
The meeting was called to implement policy aims stated in a rare Workers&#39; Party congress in May, during which Kim Jong Un announced a five-year economic plan. 
 
On June 22, North Korea launched two Musudan intermediate-range missiles, drawing strong condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States for infringing UN sanctions designed to stop Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear and missile development programmes. 
 
North Korea referred to the missile as a &quot;Hwasong-10&quot; and said the test did not put the security of neighbouring countries at risk. 
 
(Reuters)

Kim was made chairman of the state affairs committee, a body that appears to be newly formed and whose function was not immediately clear

North Korea's parliament awarded Kim Jong Un a new post today, adding to a long list of titles for the young leader. The North's state television said Kim was made chairman of the state affairs committee, a body that appears to be newly formed and whose function was not immediately clear. He also has the titles of the Dear Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, First Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. Kim, believed to be in his early 30s, attended the assembly meeting today. He also holds the rank of marshal in the North Korean military, and is more usually referred to "our marshal" in propaganda and common parlance. The parliament meets once or twice a year to formally approve budgets or policies set out by the ruling Workers' Party. It also has the authority to grant Kim new titles or positions within North Korea's opaque leadership structure. The meeting was called to implement policy aims stated in a rare Workers' Party congress in May, during which Kim Jong Un announced a five-year economic plan. On June 22, North Korea launched two Musudan intermediate-range missiles, drawing strong condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States for infringing UN sanctions designed to stop Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development programmes. North Korea referred to the missile as a "Hwasong-10" and said the test did not put the security of neighbouring countries at risk. (Reuters)

North Korean assembly awards leader Kim Jong Un fresh title

South Korea commemorated the 66th anniversary of the beginning of the 1950-53 Korean War today in Seoul. 
 
The Korean War started on June 25, 1950, when Communist North Korean troops launched a surprise attack across the 38th parallel into South Korea. 
 
US-led United Nations forces battled Chinese- and Soviet-backed North Korea, in which three million soldiers and civilians were killed and five million became refugees. 
 
About 5,000 war veterans and civilians, along with government officials, attended a ceremony to mark the anniversary. 
 
South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, urged North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions. 
 
&quot;It has been a long time since the sound of gunfire has stopped. But we are still facing off on each side of the ceasefire line. As a divided country, our security remains unstable,&quot; Hwang said. 
 
&quot;The government will not stand idly against North Korea&#39;s continuing provocations. We will surely defend our country and take every possible measure to make North Korea give up nuclear weapons and come out on to the path of change and reform,&quot; Hwang added. 
 
North Korea launched what appeared to be an intermediate-range missile on June 22 to a high altitude in the direction of Japan before it plunged into the sea, military officials said, a technological advance for the isolated state after several test failures. 
 
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un said after supervising the test launch of an intermediate-range missile that the country now has the capability to attack US interests in the Pacific, official media reported on June 23. 
 
&quot;Well I&#39;m really impressed with how fast things have been changed, the country. I didn&#39;t realise that Seoul is as big as it is. I didn&#39;t get there when I was over here in &#39;51. I was all along the 38th went through Incheon. That&#39;s where I came in and landed. When I got over here there was nothing left, everything was burnt,&quot; said one of the American war veterans, Vernon E. Neuharth, who attended the cermony. 
 
North and South Korea are still technically at war since the 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce without a peace treaty. 
 
(Reuters)

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn urged North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions

South Korea commemorated the 66th anniversary of the beginning of the 1950-53 Korean War today in Seoul. The Korean War started on June 25, 1950, when Communist North Korean troops launched a surprise attack across the 38th parallel into South Korea. US-led United Nations forces battled Chinese- and Soviet-backed North Korea, in which three million soldiers and civilians were killed and five million became refugees. About 5,000 war veterans and civilians, along with government officials, attended a ceremony to mark the anniversary. South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, urged North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions. "It has been a long time since the sound of gunfire has stopped. But we are still facing off on each side of the ceasefire line. As a divided country, our security remains unstable," Hwang said. "The government will not stand idly against North Korea's continuing provocations. We will surely defend our country and take every possible measure to make North Korea give up nuclear weapons and come out on to the path of change and reform," Hwang added. North Korea launched what appeared to be an intermediate-range missile on June 22 to a high altitude in the direction of Japan before it plunged into the sea, military officials said, a technological advance for the isolated state after several test failures. North Korea leader Kim Jong Un said after supervising the test launch of an intermediate-range missile that the country now has the capability to attack US interests in the Pacific, official media reported on June 23. "Well I'm really impressed with how fast things have been changed, the country. I didn't realise that Seoul is as big as it is. I didn't get there when I was over here in '51. I was all along the 38th went through Incheon. That's where I came in and landed. When I got over here there was nothing left, everything was burnt," said one of the American war veterans, Vernon E. Neuharth, who attended the cermony. North and South Korea are still technically at war since the 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce without a peace treaty. (Reuters)

South Korea commemorates 66th anniversary of Korean war

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