North Korea tested short-range ballistic missiles with cluster munitions under Kim Jong Un’s supervision. South Korea condemned the launches, held an emergency meeting, and warned of a strong response.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un oversees ballistic missile test-fires with cluster munitions – PICS

Born in 1912 during Japanese colonial rule, Kim Il Sung rose through anti-Japanese guerrilla movements in Manchuria before emerging as a key political figure after World War II.

Who was North Korea's Kim Il-sung? Ruthless ruler, icon or architect of the world’s most controlled regime

North Korea launched another projectile off its east coast on Wednesday (April 8), marking its second such test in just two days, according to South Korea’s military. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch was detected but did not immediately disclose details such as the projectile’s range or type. Officials confirmed that South Korean and US intelligence agencies are analyzing the launch.&nbsp;A day earlier, South Korea had reported detecting an unidentified projectile fired near North Korea’s capital region. Authorities are still assessing the specifics of that test as well. The back-to-back launches come amid renewed focus on North Korea’s missile development program. Earlier this week, state media reported that leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw a test of an upgraded solid-fuel engine, calling it a key step forward in strengthening the country’s strategic military capabilities.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-lifeline-back-tehran-reopens-strait-of-hormuz-for-2-weeks-as-us-iran-agree-to-11th-hour-truce-1775608923236">Oil lifeline back? Tehran reopens Strait of Hormuz for 2 weeks as US-Iran agree to 11th-hour truce</a>&nbsp;Solid-fuel missiles are considered more advanced and practical in combat situations because they can be transported more easily and launched quickly without the lengthy fueling process required for liquid-fuel systems. This makes them harder to detect and intercept.&nbsp;South Korean intelligence officials believe the recent engine test could be tied to efforts to develop a more powerful missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, according to lawmakers briefed on the matter. North Korea has significantly accelerated its weapons development since diplomatic efforts with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-hormuz-strait-reopening-key-to-start-of-us-iran-ceasefire-us-official-1775615370142/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-hormuz-strait-reopening-key-to-start-of-us-iran-ceasefire-us-official-1775615370142/embed</a>&nbsp;While Kim has signaled openness to future talks, he has repeatedly insisted that Washington must abandon its demand for denuclearization as a precondition for negotiations. The latest launches are likely to heighten tensions in the region as North Korea continues to advance its missile and nuclear capabilities.

North Korea launches second projectile in 48 hours as Kim Jong Un advances missile program, raising nuclear threat concerns across Asia and the US

North Korea launched another projectile off its east coast on Wednesday (April 8), marking its second such test in just two days, according to South Korea’s military. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch was detected but did not immediately disclose details such as the projectile’s range or type. Officials confirmed that South Korean and US intelligence agencies are analyzing the launch. A day earlier, South Korea had reported detecting an unidentified projectile fired near North Korea’s capital region. Authorities are still assessing the specifics of that test as well. The back-to-back launches come amid renewed focus on North Korea’s missile development program. Earlier this week, state media reported that leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw a test of an upgraded solid-fuel engine, calling it a key step forward in strengthening the country’s strategic military capabilities. Also Read: Oil lifeline back? Tehran reopens Strait of Hormuz for 2 weeks as US-Iran agree to 11th-hour truce Solid-fuel missiles are considered more advanced and practical in combat situations because they can be transported more easily and launched quickly without the lengthy fueling process required for liquid-fuel systems. This makes them harder to detect and intercept. South Korean intelligence officials believe the recent engine test could be tied to efforts to develop a more powerful missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, according to lawmakers briefed on the matter. North Korea has significantly accelerated its weapons development since diplomatic efforts with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-hormuz-strait-reopening-key-to-start-of-us-iran-ceasefire-us-official-1775615370142/embed While Kim has signaled openness to future talks, he has repeatedly insisted that Washington must abandon its demand for denuclearization as a precondition for negotiations. The latest launches are likely to heighten tensions in the region as North Korea continues to advance its missile and nuclear capabilities.

North Korea fires second projectile in two days as Kim pushes advanced missile program, raising tensions with South Korea, the US, and the allies

North Korea fires second projectile in two days, South Korea on alert. What's happening?

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears with daughter Kim Ju Ae during tank drills, signalling heightened military readiness amid missile tests and rising tensions with South Korea and the US.

North Korea preparing for war? Kim Jong Un and his teen daughter ride tank, oversee drills

North Korea fired about 10 unidentified ballistic missiles on Saturday (Mar 14), South Korea and Japan confirmed. The projectile was fired towards the Sea of Japan, referred to as the East Sea by North and South Korea. This comes amid tensions between the two nations after Pyongyang warned of “terrible consequences” over the ongoing South Korea-US military drills. Weeks earlier, North Korea dismissed Seoul’s peace overtures as a “deceptive farce.”According to a statement by Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), South Korean military detected “around ten unidentified ballistic missiles launched from the Sunan area in North Korea toward the East Sea at around 1:20 pm (0420 GMT).”“What is possibly a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea,” Japan’s defence ministry posted on X. It added in an update later that the projectile “is believed to have already fallen.”Earlier on Tuesday (Mar 10), North Korea conducted a cruise missile test from the Choe Hyon destroyer. &nbsp;North Korea conducted a similar strategic cruise missile test from the destroyer last week ahead of its commissioning. Photos released by the state media showed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observing the tests along with his daughter Kim Ju Ae.The recent firing of missiles came hours after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and US President Donald ​Trump discussed the possible reopening of talks between Trump and Kim Jong Un.For decades, Washington has sought to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear program. However, summits, sanctions, and diplomatic pressure had little impact on Pyongyang’s leadership.In recent months, the Trump administration has pushed efforts to revive talks with Pyongyang, eyeing a possible summit with Kim Jong Un this year during Trump’s visit to Beijing in April.South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who met with the US president in Washington, said that a meeting between both leaders would be “good”, adding that the talks could potentially happen during Trump’s China visit.

North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan (East Sea) on March 14, according to South Korea and Japan.

North Korea fired about 10 unidentified ballistic missiles on Saturday (Mar 14), South Korea and Japan confirmed. The projectile was fired towards the Sea of Japan, referred to as the East Sea by North and South Korea. This comes amid tensions between the two nations after Pyongyang warned of “terrible consequences” over the ongoing South Korea-US military drills. Weeks earlier, North Korea dismissed Seoul’s peace overtures as a “deceptive farce.” According to a statement by Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), South Korean military detected “around ten unidentified ballistic missiles launched from the Sunan area in North Korea toward the East Sea at around 1:20 pm (0420 GMT).” “What is possibly a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea,” Japan’s defence ministry posted on X. It added in an update later that the projectile “is believed to have already fallen.” Earlier on Tuesday (Mar 10), North Korea conducted a cruise missile test from the Choe Hyon destroyer. North Korea conducted a similar strategic cruise missile test from the destroyer last week ahead of its commissioning. Photos released by the state media showed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observing the tests along with his daughter Kim Ju Ae. The recent firing of missiles came hours after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and US President Donald Trump discussed the possible reopening of talks between Trump and Kim Jong Un. For decades, Washington has sought to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear program. However, summits, sanctions, and diplomatic pressure had little impact on Pyongyang’s leadership. In recent months, the Trump administration has pushed efforts to revive talks with Pyongyang, eyeing a possible summit with Kim Jong Un this year during Trump’s visit to Beijing in April. South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who met with the US president in Washington, said that a meeting between both leaders would be “good”, adding that the talks could potentially happen during Trump’s China visit.

North Korea launched about 10 ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan (East Sea) on March 14, according to South Korea and Japan.

North Korea fires about 10 ballistic missiles, confirms South Korea, Japan

From next year, the Koreans would have to include their birth date to calculate their age, which will make them at least one or two years younger. The international method of calculating age will be implemented from June 2023.

South Koreans will become younger by the summer of 2023

North Korea’s report did not specify whether the person had tested positive for COVID-19, only that he had shown symptoms

North Korea points finger at Seoul for Coronavirus

North Korea on Wednesday vowed to redeploy troops to front-line areas to resume military exercises and reinstall guard posts as tensions with South Korea

WION Fineprint: North Korea vows to send troops to border areas

Pyongyang said Wednesday it will restore a hotline with the South at 0630 GMT, after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to Kim Jong-Un&#39;s calls for better relations and suggestion his country might attend the Winter Olympics.

Kim also welcomed Seoul&#39;s support for his overtures, a North Korean official told state television.

Seoul hailed a promise by Pyongyang to reopen an inter-Korean hotline as &quot;very significant&quot; Wednesday, saying it was an important step in rebooting long-stalled dialogue with the nuclear-armed North.

&quot;The restoration of the hotline is very significant,&quot; said chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-Chan. &quot;It creates an environment where communication will be possible at all times.&quot;&nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nuclear-button-is-always-on-my-table-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-28204"> &#39;Nuclear button is always on my table&#39;: North Korea&#39;s Kim Jong-Un</a>

In his New Year address, Kim warned the US that he has a &quot;nuclear button&quot; on his table, but extended an olive branch to the South, saying his country might take part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month.

In response, South Korea&#39;s unification minister Cho Myoung-Gyon on Tuesday offered to hold high-level talks on January 9 to discuss the North&#39;s participation in the Olympics as well as other matters of mutual interest.

&quot;By upholding a decision by the leadership, we will make close contact with South Korea in a sincere and faithful manner,&quot; the Yonhap news agency quoted Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Korea&#39;s agency handling inter-Korean affairs, as saying.

It reported that the North&#39;s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) said it will discuss practical matters involving the participation of North Korean athletes at the Pyeongchang Games.

Kim &quot;expressed welcome&quot; after South Korean President Moon Jae-In said he supported Kim&#39;s offer of seeking reconciliation, Ri said on North Korean state TV monitored in Seoul.

Pyongyang said Wednesday it will restore a hotline with the South at 0630 GMT, after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to Kim Jong-Un's calls for better relations and suggestion his country might attend the Winter Olympics

Pyongyang said Wednesday it will restore a hotline with the South at 0630 GMT, after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to Kim Jong-Un's calls for better relations and suggestion his country might attend the Winter Olympics. Kim also welcomed Seoul's support for his overtures, a North Korean official told state television. Seoul hailed a promise by Pyongyang to reopen an inter-Korean hotline as "very significant" Wednesday, saying it was an important step in rebooting long-stalled dialogue with the nuclear-armed North. "The restoration of the hotline is very significant," said chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-Chan. "It creates an environment where communication will be possible at all times." Also Read: 'Nuclear button is always on my table': North Korea's Kim Jong-Un In his New Year address, Kim warned the US that he has a "nuclear button" on his table, but extended an olive branch to the South, saying his country might take part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month. In response, South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-Gyon on Tuesday offered to hold high-level talks on January 9 to discuss the North's participation in the Olympics as well as other matters of mutual interest. "By upholding a decision by the leadership, we will make close contact with South Korea in a sincere and faithful manner," the Yonhap news agency quoted Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs, as saying. It reported that the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) said it will discuss practical matters involving the participation of North Korean athletes at the Pyeongchang Games. Kim "expressed welcome" after South Korean President Moon Jae-In said he supported Kim's offer of seeking reconciliation, Ri said on North Korean state TV monitored in Seoul.

North Korea says will open inter-Korean hotline, South Korea says 'very significant'

Dozens of people holding Chairman Mao posters protested in China&#39;s Jilin province on Sunday, calling for a boycott of South Korean goods as part of a backlash against the country&#39;s Lotte Group.

The retail giant has faced growing opposition in China since signing a deal to provide land for a US missile-defence system Tuesday.

The plan to install the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was prompted by threats from North Korea, but Beijing fears the move will undermine its own military capabilities.

&quot;No to THAAD! Boycott Korean goods!&quot; chanted the protesters in northern Jilin province.

&quot;Patriotism starts with me! Long live the Communist Party!&quot;

Similar protests have sprouted across the country, as Lotte suffers setbacks in several of its Chinese ventures -- from last month&#39;s government-ordered halt of a $2.6 billion theme park project to apparent cyber-attacks on company websites.

Citing fire violations, authorities in Liaoning&#39;s Dandong city have also suspended the operation of Lotte Mart, the Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday.

Earlier this week, major tour operators confirmed to AFP that trips to South Korea have been suspended &quot;due to policy and safety factors.&quot;

China has repeatedly denounced THAAD as a threat to its security, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying &quot;the consequences entailed will be borne by the US and the Republic of Korea&quot;.

Calls are growing in China for Beijing to use the carrot and stick of its huge market to raise pressure on South Korea to abandon the THAAD plan.

The stakes are high for Lotte, which has invested more than ten trillion won ($8.76 billion) in its Chinese operations since 1994. 
 
(AFP)

The retail giant Lotte has faced growing opposition in China since South Korea signed a deal to provide land for the THAAD system

Dozens of people holding Chairman Mao posters protested in China's Jilin province on Sunday, calling for a boycott of South Korean goods as part of a backlash against the country's Lotte Group. The retail giant has faced growing opposition in China since signing a deal to provide land for a US missile-defence system Tuesday. The plan to install the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was prompted by threats from North Korea, but Beijing fears the move will undermine its own military capabilities. "No to THAAD! Boycott Korean goods!" chanted the protesters in northern Jilin province. "Patriotism starts with me! Long live the Communist Party!" Similar protests have sprouted across the country, as Lotte suffers setbacks in several of its Chinese ventures -- from last month's government-ordered halt of a $2.6 billion theme park project to apparent cyber-attacks on company websites. Citing fire violations, authorities in Liaoning's Dandong city have also suspended the operation of Lotte Mart, the Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday. Earlier this week, major tour operators confirmed to AFP that trips to South Korea have been suspended "due to policy and safety factors." China has repeatedly denounced THAAD as a threat to its security, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying "the consequences entailed will be borne by the US and the Republic of Korea". Calls are growing in China for Beijing to use the carrot and stick of its huge market to raise pressure on South Korea to abandon the THAAD plan. The stakes are high for Lotte, which has invested more than ten trillion won ($8.76 billion) in its Chinese operations since 1994. (AFP)

China: Protesters demand boycott of South Korean goods after plan to install US defence system