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

Malaysia summoned the North Korean ambassador on Monday for a dressing-down over Pyongyang&#39;s attack on its investigation into the assassination of leader Kim Jong-Un&#39;s brother, deepening a diplomatic row.

Five North Koreans are in the frame for last week&#39;s airport killing, drawing a furious response from Pyongyang which has accused Kuala Lumpur of conspiring with &quot;hostile forces&quot; to damage its reputation.

Malaysia recalled its envoy to Pyongyang and also summoned the North Korean ambassador to Kuala Lumpur, who was told his accusation was &quot;baseless&quot;, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

&quot;The ministry emphasised that as the death occurred on Malaysian soil under mysterious circumstances, it is the responsibility of the Malaysian government to conduct an investigation to identify the cause of death,&quot; it said.

The row erupted when Malaysian police rejected North Korean diplomats&#39; demands to hand over the body of Kim Jong-Nam after he was apparently poisoned at Kuala Lumpur&#39;s international airport.

Ambassador Kang Chol last week told reporters outside the morgue where Jong-Nam&#39;s body is being held that Malaysia was being pressured by South Korea in a bid to defame its northern neighbour.&nbsp;

Seoul has pointed the finger of blame for the attack at the North, citing a &quot;standing order&quot; from Kim Jong-Un to kill his elder sibling and a failed assassination bid in 2012 after he criticised the regime.

&quot;The Malaysian government takes very seriously any unfounded attempt to tarnish its reputation,&quot; the statement said, after the ambassador&#39;s meeting with Deputy Secretary General for Bilateral Affairs Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin.

The Malaysian ambassador in Pyongyang has also been recalled to Kuala Lumpur for consultations, the statement said.

Police said Sunday they believed five North Koreans were involved in the killing, with four having fled the country on the day of the murder.

Officers have already arrested one North Korean living in Kuala Lumpur, an Indonesian woman and her Malaysian boyfriend, as well as a Vietnamese woman.

Three more North Koreans were wanted for questioning, police said.

The drama erupted last week as Jong-Nam prepared to board a plane to Macau, where he has been living in recent years. Malaysian police say the 45-year-old was jumped by two women who squirted liquid in his face.

Jong-Nam suffered a seizure and died before arriving at hospital.&nbsp;

Warning: Footage contains violence:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zjfm_XOxLOs" width="560"></iframe>

He was once thought to be the natural successor to his father, the then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il.

But after Jong-Il&#39;s death in 2011 the succession went instead to his younger half-brother Kim Jong-Un.

Reports of purges and executions have emerged from the current regime as Jong-Un tries to strengthen his grip on power in the face of international pressure over his nuclear and missile programmes.&nbsp;

(AFP)

Malaysia is upset that Pyongyang has attacked them for carrying out a probe into the death of Kim Jong-Un's half-brother

Malaysia summoned the North Korean ambassador on Monday for a dressing-down over Pyongyang's attack on its investigation into the assassination of leader Kim Jong-Un's brother, deepening a diplomatic row. Five North Koreans are in the frame for last week's airport killing, drawing a furious response from Pyongyang which has accused Kuala Lumpur of conspiring with "hostile forces" to damage its reputation. Malaysia recalled its envoy to Pyongyang and also summoned the North Korean ambassador to Kuala Lumpur, who was told his accusation was "baseless", the foreign ministry said in a statement. "The ministry emphasised that as the death occurred on Malaysian soil under mysterious circumstances, it is the responsibility of the Malaysian government to conduct an investigation to identify the cause of death," it said. The row erupted when Malaysian police rejected North Korean diplomats' demands to hand over the body of Kim Jong-Nam after he was apparently poisoned at Kuala Lumpur's international airport. Ambassador Kang Chol last week told reporters outside the morgue where Jong-Nam's body is being held that Malaysia was being pressured by South Korea in a bid to defame its northern neighbour. Seoul has pointed the finger of blame for the attack at the North, citing a "standing order" from Kim Jong-Un to kill his elder sibling and a failed assassination bid in 2012 after he criticised the regime. "The Malaysian government takes very seriously any unfounded attempt to tarnish its reputation," the statement said, after the ambassador's meeting with Deputy Secretary General for Bilateral Affairs Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin. The Malaysian ambassador in Pyongyang has also been recalled to Kuala Lumpur for consultations, the statement said. Police said Sunday they believed five North Koreans were involved in the killing, with four having fled the country on the day of the murder. Officers have already arrested one North Korean living in Kuala Lumpur, an Indonesian woman and her Malaysian boyfriend, as well as a Vietnamese woman. Three more North Koreans were wanted for questioning, police said. The drama erupted last week as Jong-Nam prepared to board a plane to Macau, where he has been living in recent years. Malaysian police say the 45-year-old was jumped by two women who squirted liquid in his face. Jong-Nam suffered a seizure and died before arriving at hospital. Warning: Footage contains violence: He was once thought to be the natural successor to his father, the then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il. But after Jong-Il's death in 2011 the succession went instead to his younger half-brother Kim Jong-Un. Reports of purges and executions have emerged from the current regime as Jong-Un tries to strengthen his grip on power in the face of international pressure over his nuclear and missile programmes. (AFP)

Malaysia summons North Korea envoy as rift deepens over airport death

China has not given up hope for a new round of diplomacy with North Korea to prevent Pyongyang making further advances in its weapons programme in violation of UN resolutions, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

North Korea said this week it had successfully test-fired a new type of medium- to long-range ballistic missile. State-run KCNA news agency said leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of the weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

&quot;There are still opportunities for the resumption of six-party talks,&quot; Wang told the Munich Security Conference, referring to talks with the United States, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia. &quot;We should work to bring the parties back to the table.&quot;

In 2005, North Korea reached an agreement with those six countries to suspend its nuclear programme in return for diplomatic rewards and energy assistance.

Negotiations collapsed after the last round of talks in 2008, with North Korea declaring the deal void after refusing inspections to verify compliance and leading to a series of new sanctions on Pyongyang, as well as international condemnation.

&quot;We hope for all parties concerned will refrain from taking further actions that may lead to escalations of the tensions,&quot; Wang said.

North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, including two last year, although its claims to be able to miniaturise a nuclear weapon to be mounted on a missile have never been verified independently.

(Reuters)

North Korea said this week it had successfully test-fired a new type of medium- to long-range ballistic missile

China has not given up hope for a new round of diplomacy with North Korea to prevent Pyongyang making further advances in its weapons programme in violation of UN resolutions, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday. North Korea said this week it had successfully test-fired a new type of medium- to long-range ballistic missile. State-run KCNA news agency said leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of the weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. "There are still opportunities for the resumption of six-party talks," Wang told the Munich Security Conference, referring to talks with the United States, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia. "We should work to bring the parties back to the table." In 2005, North Korea reached an agreement with those six countries to suspend its nuclear programme in return for diplomatic rewards and energy assistance. Negotiations collapsed after the last round of talks in 2008, with North Korea declaring the deal void after refusing inspections to verify compliance and leading to a series of new sanctions on Pyongyang, as well as international condemnation. "We hope for all parties concerned will refrain from taking further actions that may lead to escalations of the tensions," Wang said. North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, including two last year, although its claims to be able to miniaturise a nuclear weapon to be mounted on a missile have never been verified independently. (Reuters)

China hopes for resumption of six-party talks to stop North Korea's weapons programme

Malaysian police investigating the assassination of the half-brother of North Korea&#39;s leader reportedly said Thursday they have detained a second woman in connection with the killing.

A 28-year-old woman, who was carrying a Vietnamese passport, was arrested the previous day after reports said two female assassins sprayed toxins in the victim&#39;s face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The first woman is due to appear in court on Thursday.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the detention of the second woman to Malaysia&#39;s Bernama news agency without providing further details, adding that an official statement will be issued later Thursday,&nbsp;

Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat told AFP earlier that officers were looking for several suspects.

The two women struck on Monday as Kim Jong-Nam was readying to board a flight to Macau where he has spent many years in exile, South Korea&#39;s spy chief Lee Byung-Ho has said, pointing the finger of blame at the North.

(AFP)

The other suspect, a 28-year-old woman, is due to appear in court on Thursday. She was arrested the previous day

Malaysian police investigating the assassination of the half-brother of North Korea's leader reportedly said Thursday they have detained a second woman in connection with the killing. A 28-year-old woman, who was carrying a Vietnamese passport, was arrested the previous day after reports said two female assassins sprayed toxins in the victim's face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The first woman is due to appear in court on Thursday. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the detention of the second woman to Malaysia's Bernama news agency without providing further details, adding that an official statement will be issued later Thursday, Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat told AFP earlier that officers were looking for several suspects. The two women struck on Monday as Kim Jong-Nam was readying to board a flight to Macau where he has spent many years in exile, South Korea's spy chief Lee Byung-Ho has said, pointing the finger of blame at the North. (AFP)

Second woman suspected of killing North Korean leader's half-brother detained

A woman believed to have killed&nbsp;Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has been detained by the Malaysian police.

Nam died on Monday on his way to the hospital from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, according to Malaysian police.

Lawmakers in Seoul said South Korea&rsquo;s spy agency suspects two female North Korean agents assassinated him.

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The woman was carrying a Vietnamese passport at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where she was arrested, Malaysia&#39;s police chief said, AFP reported.

The police chief said the arrested woman had a Vietnamese passport in the name of Doan Thi Huong born on May 31, 1988.

The suspect was &quot;positively identifed from the CCTV footage at the airport and was alone at the the time of arrest,&quot; Khalid added. &nbsp;

South Korean intelligence believed Kim Jong Nam was poisoned, Reuters had reported on Tuesday (February 14).

Lawmakers said the spy agency told them that the young, unpredictable North Korean leader had issued a &quot;standing order&quot; for his half-brother&#39;s assassination and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012.

Joongang Ilbo, a South Korean newspaper, quoted an unidentified intelligence official as saying that Kim was &ldquo;stung by a poisoned needle&rdquo; and &ldquo;died right at that spot&rdquo;.

According to the spy agency, Kim Jong Nam had been living with his second wife in the Chinese territory of Macau, under Beijing&#39;s protection, the lawmakers said.&nbsp;

A Malaysian police source who had seen closed-circuit TV footage from the airport said a woman was involved in the attack.

&quot;So far from the CCTV we can confirm it&#39;s a woman,&quot; the source said.

&quot;If the murder of Kim Jong Nam was confirmed to be committed by the North Korean regime, that would clearly depict the brutality and inhumanity of the Kim Jong Un regime,&quot; South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said.

Several years ago, Kim Jong Nam was mentioned in local media to be a potential successor to his father, according to Joongang Ilbo. &nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

South Korean intelligence believes Kim Jong Nam was poisoned by two female hitwomen

A woman believed to have killed Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has been detained by the Malaysian police. Nam died on Monday on his way to the hospital from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, according to Malaysian police. Lawmakers in Seoul said South Korea’s spy agency suspects two female North Korean agents assassinated him. Malaysian police said Kim Jong Nam died on Monday on his way to the hospital from Kuala Lumpur International Airport × The woman was carrying a Vietnamese passport at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where she was arrested, Malaysia's police chief said, AFP reported. The police chief said the arrested woman had a Vietnamese passport in the name of Doan Thi Huong born on May 31, 1988. The suspect was "positively identifed from the CCTV footage at the airport and was alone at the the time of arrest," Khalid added. South Korean intelligence believed Kim Jong Nam was poisoned, Reuters had reported on Tuesday (February 14). Lawmakers said the spy agency told them that the young, unpredictable North Korean leader had issued a "standing order" for his half-brother's assassination and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012. Joongang Ilbo, a South Korean newspaper, quoted an unidentified intelligence official as saying that Kim was “stung by a poisoned needle” and “died right at that spot”. According to the spy agency, Kim Jong Nam had been living with his second wife in the Chinese territory of Macau, under Beijing's protection, the lawmakers said. A Malaysian police source who had seen closed-circuit TV footage from the airport said a woman was involved in the attack. "So far from the CCTV we can confirm it's a woman," the source said. "If the murder of Kim Jong Nam was confirmed to be committed by the North Korean regime, that would clearly depict the brutality and inhumanity of the Kim Jong Un regime," South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said. Several years ago, Kim Jong Nam was mentioned in local media to be a potential successor to his father, according to Joongang Ilbo. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Suspected assassin of North Korea leader's half-brother detained in Malaysia

The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, who has been murdered in Malaysia, pleaded for his life to be spared after a failed assassination bid in 2012, lawmakers briefed by Seoul&#39;s spy chief said Wednesday.&nbsp;

Kim Jong-Nam died after reportedly being attacked by two women believed to be North Korean agents at a Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday.

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Jong-Nam, the eldest son of the late former leader Kim Jong-Il, was once seen as heir apparent but fell out of favour following an embarrassing botched bid in 2001 to enter Japan on a forged passport and visit Disneyland.&nbsp;

He has since lived in virtual exile, mainly in the Chinese territory of Macau, while Jong-Un took over the isolated, nuclear-armed state after the death of his father in December 2011.

The North in 2012 tried to assassinate Jong-Nam -- known to be a supporter of reform in Pyongyang -- Seoul lawmakers said following a closed-door briefing by the chief of the National Intelligence Service, Lee Byung-Ho.&nbsp;

&quot;According to (Lee)... there was one (assassination) bid in 2012, and Jong-Nam in April 2012 sent a letter to Jong-Un saying &#39;Please spare me and my family,&#39;&quot; Kim Byung-Kee, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, told reporters.&nbsp;

&quot;It also said &#39;We have nowhere to go... we know that the only way to escape is suicide&#39;,&quot; he said, adding Jong-Nam had little political support at home and posed little threat to Jong-Un. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Jong-Nam&#39;s family -- his former and current wives and three children -- are currently living in Beijing and Macau, said another committee member, Lee Cheol-Woo.&nbsp;

&quot;They are under the protection by the Chinese authorities,&quot; he said, adding Jong-Nam had entered Malaysia on February 6, a week before his death.&nbsp;

Jong-Nam&#39;s murder is the highest-profile death under the Kim Jong-Un&#39;s regime since the execution of the leader&#39;s uncle, Jang Song-Thaek, in December 2013.&nbsp;

Jang, known to be close to China and an advocate of economic reform in the North, was charged with treason.&nbsp;

Jong-Nam, believed to have ties with Beijing&#39;s elite, was a relatively outspoken figure, publicly criticising Pyongyang&#39;s political system.

The 45-year-old said he &quot;personally opposed&quot; the hereditary power transfer in his own family, during an interview with Japan&#39;s Asahi TV in 2010.&nbsp;

One of his sons -- Han-Sol -- also described his uncle, Jong-Un, as a &quot;dictator&quot; in a rare interview with a Finnish TV station in 2012 while he was studying in Europe.&nbsp;

(AFP)

They said he pleaded for his life to be spared after a failed assassination bid in 2012

The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, who has been murdered in Malaysia, pleaded for his life to be spared after a failed assassination bid in 2012, lawmakers briefed by Seoul's spy chief said Wednesday. Kim Jong-Nam died after reportedly being attacked by two women believed to be North Korean agents at a Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday. Kim Jong-Nam died after reportedly being attacked by two women believed to be North Korean agents at a Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday × Jong-Nam, the eldest son of the late former leader Kim Jong-Il, was once seen as heir apparent but fell out of favour following an embarrassing botched bid in 2001 to enter Japan on a forged passport and visit Disneyland. He has since lived in virtual exile, mainly in the Chinese territory of Macau, while Jong-Un took over the isolated, nuclear-armed state after the death of his father in December 2011. The North in 2012 tried to assassinate Jong-Nam -- known to be a supporter of reform in Pyongyang -- Seoul lawmakers said following a closed-door briefing by the chief of the National Intelligence Service, Lee Byung-Ho. "According to (Lee)... there was one (assassination) bid in 2012, and Jong-Nam in April 2012 sent a letter to Jong-Un saying 'Please spare me and my family,'" Kim Byung-Kee, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, told reporters. "It also said 'We have nowhere to go... we know that the only way to escape is suicide'," he said, adding Jong-Nam had little political support at home and posed little threat to Jong-Un. Jong-Nam's family -- his former and current wives and three children -- are currently living in Beijing and Macau, said another committee member, Lee Cheol-Woo. "They are under the protection by the Chinese authorities," he said, adding Jong-Nam had entered Malaysia on February 6, a week before his death. Jong-Nam's murder is the highest-profile death under the Kim Jong-Un's regime since the execution of the leader's uncle, Jang Song-Thaek, in December 2013. Jang, known to be close to China and an advocate of economic reform in the North, was charged with treason. Jong-Nam, believed to have ties with Beijing's elite, was a relatively outspoken figure, publicly criticising Pyongyang's political system. The 45-year-old said he "personally opposed" the hereditary power transfer in his own family, during an interview with Japan's Asahi TV in 2010. One of his sons -- Han-Sol -- also described his uncle, Jong-Un, as a "dictator" in a rare interview with a Finnish TV station in 2012 while he was studying in Europe. (AFP)

Kim half-brother pleaded for his life: Seoul MPs

The US President Donald Trump has said that he would deal &quot;very strongly&quot; with North Korea after the country test-fired a ballistic missile.

Trump was addressing a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

&quot;Obviously North Korea is a big, big problem and we will deal with that very strongly,&quot; Trump said during the press conference.

But his response didn&#39;t mention as to what specific action he would initiate against the North Korean regime for violating the UN Security Council resolution by test-firing a&nbsp;ballistic missile.

The latest provocation is an addition to a string of such test-launches by North Korea which has raised tensions in the region especially&nbsp;among South Korea and Japan, two of the closest allies of the US in the region. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The North Korean regime said that it had launched a medium to long-range ballistic missile on Sunday.

Speaking on the issue of immigration and border security, Trump continued to take a hard line saying he can&#39;t let in people who prove to be a security risk for the country hinting at further tightening of the vetting process.

&quot;On the home front, we have to create borders. We have to let people that can love our country in, and I want to do that. We want to have a big beautiful open door and we want people to come in and come in our country, but we cannot let the wrong people in and I will not allow that to happen during this administration,&quot; Trump said.

The Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau said that he was not in the US to lecture Trump.

&quot;The last thing Canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they choose to govern themselves. My role our responsibility is to continue to govern in such a way that reflects Canadians approach and be a positive example in the world,&quot; Trudeau said.

The United States, Japan and South Korea had&nbsp;requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss the latest missile test.

&quot;The United States, along with Japan and the Republic of Korea, have requested urgent consultations on the DPRK&rsquo;s launch of a ballistic missile on February 12,&quot; said a US mission spokesperson.&nbsp;

The UN Security Council condemned North Korea&#39;s weekend missile launching in a statement on Monday.

&quot;The members of the Security Council deplore all the Democratic People&rsquo;s Republic of Korea ballistic missile activities, including these launches,&quot; the statement read.

Japan said it was pleased with the council&#39;s resolve in discussing North Korea&#39;s latest missile firing.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump was addressing a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

The US President Donald Trump has said that he would deal "very strongly" with North Korea after the country test-fired a ballistic missile. Trump was addressing a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "Obviously North Korea is a big, big problem and we will deal with that very strongly," Trump said during the press conference. But his response didn't mention as to what specific action he would initiate against the North Korean regime for violating the UN Security Council resolution by test-firing a ballistic missile. The latest provocation is an addition to a string of such test-launches by North Korea which has raised tensions in the region especially among South Korea and Japan, two of the closest allies of the US in the region. The North Korean regime said that it had launched a medium to long-range ballistic missile on Sunday. Speaking on the issue of immigration and border security, Trump continued to take a hard line saying he can't let in people who prove to be a security risk for the country hinting at further tightening of the vetting process. "On the home front, we have to create borders. We have to let people that can love our country in, and I want to do that. We want to have a big beautiful open door and we want people to come in and come in our country, but we cannot let the wrong people in and I will not allow that to happen during this administration," Trump said. The Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau said that he was not in the US to lecture Trump. "The last thing Canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they choose to govern themselves. My role our responsibility is to continue to govern in such a way that reflects Canadians approach and be a positive example in the world," Trudeau said. The United States, Japan and South Korea had requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss the latest missile test. "The United States, along with Japan and the Republic of Korea, have requested urgent consultations on the DPRK’s launch of a ballistic missile on February 12," said a US mission spokesperson. The UN Security Council condemned North Korea's weekend missile launching in a statement on Monday. "The members of the Security Council deplore all the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ballistic missile activities, including these launches," the statement read. Japan said it was pleased with the council's resolve in discussing North Korea's latest missile firing. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump vows 'very strong' action against North Korea for test-firing missile

The estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have been killed in Malaysia, a South Korean government source said on Tuesday.

Kim Jong Nam, the older half-brother of the North Korean leader, was known to be based mostly outside of his home country.

Police in Malaysia told Reuters on Tuesday an unidentified North Korean man had died en route to hospital from Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday. Abdul Aziz Ali, police chief for the Sepang district, said the man&#39;s identity had not been verified.

An employee in the emergency ward of Putrajaya hospital said a deceased Korean there was born in 1970 and surnamed Kim.

South Korea&#39;s TV Chosun, a cable television network, said that Kim was poisoned at Kuala Lumpur airport by two women believed to be North Korean operatives, who were at large, citing multiple South Korean government sources.

The South Korean government source who spoke to Reuters did not immediately provide further details.

South Korea&#39;s foreign ministry said it could not confirm the reports, and the country&#39;s intelligence agency could not immediately be reached for comment.

In 2001, Kim Jong Nam was caught at an airport in Japan travelling on a fake passport, saying he had wanted visit Tokyo Disneyland.

(Reuters)

Although the government has given no details of the death, a media report said Kim Jong Nam was poisoned by two North Korea operatives

The estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have been killed in Malaysia, a South Korean government source said on Tuesday. Kim Jong Nam, the older half-brother of the North Korean leader, was known to be based mostly outside of his home country. Police in Malaysia told Reuters on Tuesday an unidentified North Korean man had died en route to hospital from Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday. Abdul Aziz Ali, police chief for the Sepang district, said the man's identity had not been verified. An employee in the emergency ward of Putrajaya hospital said a deceased Korean there was born in 1970 and surnamed Kim. South Korea's TV Chosun, a cable television network, said that Kim was poisoned at Kuala Lumpur airport by two women believed to be North Korean operatives, who were at large, citing multiple South Korean government sources. The South Korean government source who spoke to Reuters did not immediately provide further details. South Korea's foreign ministry said it could not confirm the reports, and the country's intelligence agency could not immediately be reached for comment. In 2001, Kim Jong Nam was caught at an airport in Japan travelling on a fake passport, saying he had wanted visit Tokyo Disneyland. (Reuters)

North Korea leader Kim's half-brother likely killed in Malaysia

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

US&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump has mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over his latest missile threats, saying it won&#39;t ever materialise.

&quot;North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the US. It won`t happen!&quot; Trump tweeted on Monday.

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North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the U.S. It won&#39;t happen!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/816057920223846400">January 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The President-elect also dragged China into the issue, saying Beijing is doing nothing to help with the rogue nation.

&quot;China has been taking out massive amounts of money &amp; wealth from the U.S. in totally one-sided trade, but won&#39;t help with North Korea. Nice!&quot; Trump tweeted.

The President-elect&#39;s remarks came after the North Korean leader declared in a televised New Year&#39;s Day speech that his military is on the brink of testing its first intercontinental ballistic missile: A&nbsp;rocket that can be equipped with nuclear weapons and is powerful enough to reach any part of the US.

Kim&#39;s comments fuelled speculation that Pyongyang will test a long-range missile to coincide with his birthday on January 8, or around the time of Trump&#39;s inauguration, in an attempt to ratchet up the pressure ahead of any negotiations with Washington, reports the Guardian.&nbsp;

(ANI)&nbsp;

Donald Trump has mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over his latest nuclear missile threats, saying it won't ever materialise

US President-elect Donald Trump has mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over his latest missile threats, saying it won't ever materialise. "North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the US. It won`t happen!" Trump tweeted on Monday. North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the U.S. It won't happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2017 × The President-elect also dragged China into the issue, saying Beijing is doing nothing to help with the rogue nation. "China has been taking out massive amounts of money & wealth from the U.S. in totally one-sided trade, but won't help with North Korea. Nice!" Trump tweeted. The President-elect's remarks came after the North Korean leader declared in a televised New Year's Day speech that his military is on the brink of testing its first intercontinental ballistic missile: A rocket that can be equipped with nuclear weapons and is powerful enough to reach any part of the US. Kim's comments fuelled speculation that Pyongyang will test a long-range missile to coincide with his birthday on January 8, or around the time of Trump's inauguration, in an attempt to ratchet up the pressure ahead of any negotiations with Washington, reports the Guardian. (ANI)

Trump responds to North Korea's nuclear threats via twitter

The United States has sharply condemned a North Korean plan to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile and warned Pyongyang against &quot;provocative actions&quot;.

The toughly worded US statement on Sunday called on &quot;all states&quot; to show the North that any unlawful actions would have &quot;consequences&quot;.

It was issued by the Pentagon at a sensitive time -- just weeks before President Barack Obama is due to hand power over to his successor, Donald Trump.

The statement came hours after Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, said his country was close to testing such a missile, which would be capable of reaching American shores.

&quot;We are in the final stages of test-launching the intercontinental ballistic missile,&quot; Kim said in a televised New Year&#39;s speech, pointing to a string of nuclear and missile tests last year.

He said Pyongyang was now a &quot;military power of the East that cannot be touched by even the strongest enemy&quot;.

The Pentagon statement noted that &quot;multiple UN Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibit North Korea&#39;s launches using ballistic missile technology&quot;.

It urged Pyongyang to &quot;refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric that threaten international peace and stability&quot;.

The statement reaffirmed Washington&#39;s &quot;ironclad commitment&quot; to defend its allies, using &quot;the full spectrum of US extended deterrence capabilities&quot;.

Pyongyang has never successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and analysts are divided over how close it is to doing so.

But all agree it has made enormous strides in that direction since Kim took over as leader from his father Kim Jong-Il, who died in December 2011.

(AFP)

The Pentagon statement noted that "multiple UN Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibit North Korea's launches using ballistic missile technology"

The United States has sharply condemned a North Korean plan to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile and warned Pyongyang against "provocative actions". The toughly worded US statement on Sunday called on "all states" to show the North that any unlawful actions would have "consequences". It was issued by the Pentagon at a sensitive time -- just weeks before President Barack Obama is due to hand power over to his successor, Donald Trump. The statement came hours after Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, said his country was close to testing such a missile, which would be capable of reaching American shores. "We are in the final stages of test-launching the intercontinental ballistic missile," Kim said in a televised New Year's speech, pointing to a string of nuclear and missile tests last year. He said Pyongyang was now a "military power of the East that cannot be touched by even the strongest enemy". The Pentagon statement noted that "multiple UN Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibit North Korea's launches using ballistic missile technology". It urged Pyongyang to "refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric that threaten international peace and stability". The statement reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment" to defend its allies, using "the full spectrum of US extended deterrence capabilities". Pyongyang has never successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and analysts are divided over how close it is to doing so. But all agree it has made enormous strides in that direction since Kim took over as leader from his father Kim Jong-Il, who died in December 2011. (AFP)

US warns North Korea against ballistic missile launch

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

Underscoring conflicting view in the Obama administration on the policy regarding denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the director of US National Intelligence James Clapper on Tuesday said that he did not think the policy that Washington had stuck to was realistic.&nbsp;

He said the US policy of trying to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons &quot;is probably a lost cause&quot; and the best they could hope for is a cap on the country&#39;s nuclear capability.&nbsp;

However, the US state department maintained that the policy on the North had unchanged and the US will continue to seek the &quot;verifiable denuclearisation&quot; of the Korean peninsula.

Disagreeing with the US spy chief, the department spokesman John Kirby said he had not seen Clapper&#39;s remarks but insisted that Washington did not believe denuclearisation was a lost cause.&nbsp;

Clapper said he got a good taste of how the world looks from North Korea&#39;s viewpoint when he went to Pyongyang on a mission in 2014 to secure the release of two Americans held there.

&quot;They are under siege and they are very paranoid, so the notion of giving up their nuclear capability, whatever it is, is a non-starter with them. The best we could probably hope for is some sort of a cap, but they are not going to do that just because we ask them. There&rsquo;s going to have to be some significant inducements,&quot; Clapper said.&nbsp;

Pyongyang has persisted with its missile and nuclear weapons programs despite strong international sanctions.

(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Contrary to the Obama administration's policy, James Clapper said that at best the US could hope for a cap on Pyongyang's nuclear capability

Underscoring conflicting view in the Obama administration on the policy regarding denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the director of US National Intelligence James Clapper on Tuesday said that he did not think the policy that Washington had stuck to was realistic. He said the US policy of trying to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons "is probably a lost cause" and the best they could hope for is a cap on the country's nuclear capability. However, the US state department maintained that the policy on the North had unchanged and the US will continue to seek the "verifiable denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula. Disagreeing with the US spy chief, the department spokesman John Kirby said he had not seen Clapper's remarks but insisted that Washington did not believe denuclearisation was a lost cause. Clapper said he got a good taste of how the world looks from North Korea's viewpoint when he went to Pyongyang on a mission in 2014 to secure the release of two Americans held there. "They are under siege and they are very paranoid, so the notion of giving up their nuclear capability, whatever it is, is a non-starter with them. The best we could probably hope for is some sort of a cap, but they are not going to do that just because we ask them. There’s going to have to be some significant inducements," Clapper said. Pyongyang has persisted with its missile and nuclear weapons programs despite strong international sanctions. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Getting North Korea to denuclearise 'probably a lost cause': US Intelligence chief

These men are proof that sometimes with great power comes insane self-indulgence

While the concept of a democratic government is over two centuries old, modern history has witnessed the rise of some of the most oppressive dictators. Self-absorbed and narcissistic, these are the some of the craziest autocrats who implemented bizarre rules under their reign: Saparmurat Niyazov: Turkmenistan’s Niyazov was one of the most self-obsessed dictators of all times. He gave himself the title of Turkmenbashi- meaning Leader of All Ethnic Turkmen and went on to declare himself president of the country for life. Niyazov created a new image for the country, where he named all public spaces, from streets to landmarks, after himself. What’s bizarre: Every clock or watch in Turkmenistan had his face Young men were forbidden to grow long hair and beards Music was banned in the country A statue of Turkmenistan's former President Saparmurad Niyazov in Asghaban (AFP) × Kim Il Sung: Since his appointment as the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Kim’s forces took some 200,000 political prisoners, who were kept in concentration camps. North Korea lacked freedom of the press, religion, political opposition and education. Kim lived a life of luxury, while the country faced severe economic sanctions. What’s bizarre: Kim ate sushi, especially flown in from Japan Followers were made to believe that their ‘Dear Leader’ neither urinates nor defecates, and has the power to control the weather North Korean military officers and citizens holding a rally to celebrate the September 9 nuclear warhead test in Kim Il-Sung Square in Pyongyang (AFP) × Idi Amin Dada: Third president of Uganda, Amin led a military coup to gain absolute power after promoting himself as head of the state. He was often perceived as mentally unstable as his regime was characterised with corruption, nepotism, oppression and mass killings. The casualties range between 80,000 and 500,000, with many of them being meted out systematic torture. What’s bizarre: Reports claim that he ate his enemies and even fed them to crocodiles Wrote love letters to Queen Elizabeth Uganda People`s Defence Force (UPDF) march during the celebration to mark the fall of Idi Amin Dada 11 April 2002. (AFP) × Nicolae Ceausescu: Like other self-obsessed dictators of his kind, Nicolae was fond of giving himself titles such as “Conducator” meaning Leader and “Geniul din Carpa?i” meaning The Genius of the Carpathians. He even created an executive presidency and had a scepter made for himself like a king. What’s bizarre: He carried out destruction of 19 churches, six synagogues and 30,000 homes to build a palace for himself. It cost the Romanian treasury a total of $10 billion Gold buttons belonging to Nicolae Ceausescu are exhibited at an auction in Bucharest (AFP) × Mao Zedong: Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People’s Republic of China experimented with China’s economy, resulting in severe financial losses. His policy ‘Great Leap Forward’ shifted the country from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing one, by pulling out farmers from the field and assigning them to mill steel. Millions died after this, due to starvation. What’s bizarre: Launched the Cultural Revolution, which led to the elimination of the country’s intelligentsia and his political opponents Academics suffered and teachers were forced out of schools and colleges Set up the ‘Red Guards’ enlisting youth to correct the bourgeois elements in China’s society Considered himself to be the only genius in the country Cantonese opera actors dressed as Red Guards perform in a show portraying late Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong (AFP) × (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

Self-obsessed autocrats and their bizarre rules

Pyongyang today conducted what was believed to be another failed test of &quot;a powerful medium-range missile capable of hitting US bases as far away as Guam&quot;, the South Korean military was quoted as saying by international news agency AFP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The failed attempt by North Korea to launch the missile was detected at 5:00 pm CDT/2200 GMT on Wednesday from the northwestern city of Kusong, US Strategic Command also said, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The missile had exploded shortly after take-off at around 6:30 am Pyongyang time (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, analysis by South Korean and US military monitors suggested, the joint chiefs of Staff said in a statement.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the US Strategic Command pointed out&nbsp;in a statement that the North American Aerospace Defense Command determined that&nbsp;the missile launch did not pose a threat to North America, adding that it was presumed to be a Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP, Reuters)&nbsp;

The failed attempt by North Korea to launch the missile was detected from the northwestern city of Kusong

Pyongyang today conducted what was believed to be another failed test of "a powerful medium-range missile capable of hitting US bases as far away as Guam", the South Korean military was quoted as saying by international news agency AFP. The failed attempt by North Korea to launch the missile was detected at 5:00 pm CDT/2200 GMT on Wednesday from the northwestern city of Kusong, US Strategic Command also said, Reuters reported. The missile had exploded shortly after take-off at around 6:30 am Pyongyang time (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, analysis by South Korean and US military monitors suggested, the joint chiefs of Staff said in a statement. Meanwhile, the US Strategic Command pointed out in a statement that the North American Aerospace Defense Command determined that the missile launch did not pose a threat to North America, adding that it was presumed to be a Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile, Reuters reported. (WION with inputs from AFP, Reuters)

Pyongyang ?conducted failed missile launch, say South Korean and US military monitors?

North Korea may conduct another nuclear test as commercial satellite imagery shows the nuclear site&nbsp;to be bustling with activity in three of its tunnel complexes.

North Korea has already conducted two nuclear tests this year, in January and September, and five in total. The previous tests were held in&nbsp;2006, 2009 and 2013.

Satellite images show&nbsp;boxes or material around the side of the main building and a truck or a group of vehicles parked on the site.

Continued activity around&nbsp;Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site since October 1, coupled with a key political anniversary next week, has stoked concerns about there being another nuclear test shortly.

Pyongyang has&nbsp;a penchant for carrying out nuclear tests on major political dates. North Korea is set to celebrate its 71st anniversary of Workers&#39; Party soon.

However, it remains unclear about the precise reason for the increased activity in the nuclear site.&nbsp;

38 North, a website that keeps a close eye on North Korea, said there might be other reasons for Punggye- ri Nuclear Test Site, located in northeast of the country, to be busy.&nbsp;&quot;(Increased activity) may be for a number of purposes including collecting post-test data, sealing the portal or preparing for another test,&quot; the website said.

&quot;There is also increased activity near one of the two entrances at the South Portal... although the portal is assumed to be capable of supporting a nuclear test once a decision is made to move forward,&quot; the post further said.

The South Portal may be fully capable of carrying out a nuclear test as excavation stopped in 2012, the website said.

South Korea has got nervous about the recent development, with an unnamed foreign ministry official telling AFP: &quot;We believe that the North is ready to carry out a nuclear test.&quot;

(WION)

&nbsp;

Satellite images show?boxes or material kept around the side of the main building and a truck or a group of vehicles parked on the site

North Korea may conduct another nuclear test as commercial satellite imagery shows the nuclear site to be bustling with activity in three of its tunnel complexes. North Korea has already conducted two nuclear tests this year, in January and September, and five in total. The previous tests were held in 2006, 2009 and 2013. Satellite images show boxes or material around the side of the main building and a truck or a group of vehicles parked on the site. Continued activity around Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site since October 1, coupled with a key political anniversary next week, has stoked concerns about there being another nuclear test shortly. Pyongyang has a penchant for carrying out nuclear tests on major political dates. North Korea is set to celebrate its 71st anniversary of Workers' Party soon. However, it remains unclear about the precise reason for the increased activity in the nuclear site. 38 North, a website that keeps a close eye on North Korea, said there might be other reasons for Punggye- ri Nuclear Test Site, located in northeast of the country, to be busy. "(Increased activity) may be for a number of purposes including collecting post-test data, sealing the portal or preparing for another test," the website said. "There is also increased activity near one of the two entrances at the South Portal... although the portal is assumed to be capable of supporting a nuclear test once a decision is made to move forward," the post further said. The South Portal may be fully capable of carrying out a nuclear test as excavation stopped in 2012, the website said. South Korea has got nervous about the recent development, with an unnamed foreign ministry official telling AFP: "We believe that the North is ready to carry out a nuclear test." (WION)

Increased activity at North Korea nuclear site stokes test fears

North Korea&#39;s foreign minister&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;said North Korea will continue to strengthen its &quot;national nuclear armed forces in both quantity and quality&quot; despite UN sanctions.&nbsp; 
 
Ri Yong Ho during his address to the United Nations General Assembly said the country&#39;s nuclear weapons are a &quot;a righteous self-defence measure&quot; against &quot;constant nuclear threats of the United States&quot;. 
 
&quot;Going nuclear-armed is the policy of our state,&quot; Yong Ho said. 
 
North Korea is the &quot;most dangerous hotspot, which can even ignite the outbreak of nuclear war&quot; and the blame will lie &quot;squarely&quot; with the US, the foreign minister said. 
 
&quot;As long as there exists a nuclear-weapon state in hostile relations with the DPRK (Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea), our national security and peace on the Korean peninsula can be defended only with reliable nuclear deterrence,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
Ri also said the UN Security Council&#39;s decision to impose sanctions was only &quot;covering up the high-handedness and arbitrariness of the United States&quot;. 
 
The country conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on September 9, igniting global ire and condemnation. This has led to talks on imposing new UN sanctions against the isolated country.&nbsp; 
 
No negotiations on THAAD 
 
Daniel Russel, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asia, said there will be no negotiations regarding the THAAD anti-missile system, which is set to be deployed in South Korea, as part of the UN sanctions agreement. &nbsp; 
&quot;No. The two countries have made a decision,&quot; he told Reuters. 
 
Although China remains opposed to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, it has agreed to work with the UN on imposing tough sanctions on North Korea.&nbsp; 
 
According to The Diplomat, THAAD is particularly well-suited to intercept and destroy short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

US says THAAD missile deployment system not negotiable as part of new sanctions on the country

North Korea's foreign minister on Friday said North Korea will continue to strengthen its "national nuclear armed forces in both quantity and quality" despite UN sanctions. Ri Yong Ho during his address to the United Nations General Assembly said the country's nuclear weapons are a "a righteous self-defence measure" against "constant nuclear threats of the United States". "Going nuclear-armed is the policy of our state," Yong Ho said. North Korea is the "most dangerous hotspot, which can even ignite the outbreak of nuclear war" and the blame will lie "squarely" with the US, the foreign minister said. "As long as there exists a nuclear-weapon state in hostile relations with the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), our national security and peace on the Korean peninsula can be defended only with reliable nuclear deterrence," he said. Ri also said the UN Security Council's decision to impose sanctions was only "covering up the high-handedness and arbitrariness of the United States". The country conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on September 9, igniting global ire and condemnation. This has led to talks on imposing new UN sanctions against the isolated country. No negotiations on THAAD Daniel Russel, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asia, said there will be no negotiations regarding the THAAD anti-missile system, which is set to be deployed in South Korea, as part of the UN sanctions agreement. "No. The two countries have made a decision," he told Reuters. Although China remains opposed to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, it has agreed to work with the UN on imposing tough sanctions on North Korea. According to The Diplomat, THAAD is particularly well-suited to intercept and destroy short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. (WION with inputs from agencies)

North Korea defies UN, vows to strengthen nuclear capability

Dismissing all international warnings to end its nuclear programme, North Korea has carried out another successful test for a high-power rocket engine.&nbsp; 
 
North Korea&#39;s state media reported that Tuesday&#39;s ground test of a new rocket engine to launch satellites was conducted under leader Kim Jong Un&#39;s supervision. 
 
KCNA said the engine would give the country &quot;sufficient carrier capability for launching various kinds of satellites, including Earth observation satellite at a world level&quot;. 
 
It is the latest in a rapid succession of missile-tests conducted by the isolated state this year and could further advance Pyongyang&#39;s weapons programme.&nbsp; 
 
After the test, Kim Jong-Un called on scientists &quot;to round off the preparations for launching the satellite as soon as possible.&quot; 
The North indicated it may soon launch another long-range rocket.&nbsp; 
 
North Korea insisted it will continue its nuclear programme despite the five sets of United Nations sanctions against it.&nbsp; 
 
In February, it launched a satellite testing its long-range ballistic missile technology. 
 
Earlier this month, it had successfully conducted its most powerful nuclear test mounting a warhead on a missile.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

After a successful ground test, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un asked scientists to round off preparations for the satellite launch

Dismissing all international warnings to end its nuclear programme, North Korea has carried out another successful test for a high-power rocket engine. North Korea's state media reported that Tuesday's ground test of a new rocket engine to launch satellites was conducted under leader Kim Jong Un's supervision. KCNA said the engine would give the country "sufficient carrier capability for launching various kinds of satellites, including Earth observation satellite at a world level". It is the latest in a rapid succession of missile-tests conducted by the isolated state this year and could further advance Pyongyang's weapons programme. After the test, Kim Jong-Un called on scientists "to round off the preparations for launching the satellite as soon as possible." The North indicated it may soon launch another long-range rocket. North Korea insisted it will continue its nuclear programme despite the five sets of United Nations sanctions against it. In February, it launched a satellite testing its long-range ballistic missile technology. Earlier this month, it had successfully conducted its most powerful nuclear test mounting a warhead on a missile. (WION with inputs from agencies)

North Korea conducts ground test of new rocket engine, disregards international warnings

Days after Pyongyang&#39;s fifth and largest-ever nuclear test, &nbsp;two huge US strategic bombers flew over South Korea today in a show of force and solidarity with its ally against North while a US envoy called for a &nbsp;strong response from the United Nations (UN). 
 
&quot;Today&#39;s demonstration provides just one example of the full range of military capabilities in the deep resources of this strong alliance to provide and strengthen extended deterrence,&quot; &nbsp;general Vincent Brooks, US-South Korea Combined Forces Command was quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;North Korea&#39;s nuclear test is a dangerous escalation and poses an unacceptable threat,&quot; said the general, adding the US has an &quot;unshakable commitment&quot; to defend allies in the region. 
 
The supersonic B-1B Lancers reached airspace over the US Osan Air Base at Pyeongtaek, 64 kilometres (40 miles) south of Seoul, at around 10:00 am (0100 GMT). 
 
&quot;Our intention is to secure the strongest possible (UN Security Council) resolution that includes new sanctions as quickly as possible,&quot; Sung Kim, the US envoy on North Korea, asserted while speaking in the South Korean capital.&nbsp; 
 
US remains open to authentic, meaningful dialogue with Pyongyang on ending its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Kim was quoted as saying by Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
Each aircraft, which had flown from the US Pacific Command`s Andersen Airforce base at Guam, was escorted by US and South Korean fighter jets.&nbsp; 
 
It&#39;s pertinent to mention that Seoul in July had announced its plans to deploy THAAD &nbsp;(Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), a sophisticated US missile defence system, to counter growing nuclear and missile threats from the North.&nbsp; 
 
However, North Korea&#39;s major diplomatic ally, China, which believes the system`s radar could also be used to track its own defences, had objected strongly. The plan has also met resistance from residents of the southern county of Seongju, the planned site. 
 
Kim today pointed out that the United States would work with China to close loopholes in existing resolutions, which were tightened with Beijing`s backing in March. 
 
&quot;China has been very clear that they understand the need for a new UN security council resolution in response to the latest North Korean nuclear test,&quot; Kim said. 
 
China and Russia, however, which strongly oppose a recent decision by the United States and South Korea to deploy an advanced anti-missile system in the South to counter the North`s missile threat, have shown reluctance to back further sanctions. 
 
Meanwhile, South Korea`s defence ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun told journalists that Tuesday&#39;s overflight was &quot;aimed at sending a clear warning to North Korea about its nuclear test, and containing further provocations&quot;. &nbsp; 
 
Washington took similar actions after previous atomic tests. 
 
In January, the US flew a B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber over Osan Air Base after North Korea`s fourth nuclear blast. 
 
South Korea is home to around 28,500 US troops and numerous bases. 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters, AFP)&nbsp;

The overflight was 'aimed at sending a clear warning to the North' after its fifth nuclear test: South Korea's defence ministry

Days after Pyongyang's fifth and largest-ever nuclear test, two huge US strategic bombers flew over South Korea today in a show of force and solidarity with its ally against North while a US envoy called for a strong response from the United Nations (UN). "Today's demonstration provides just one example of the full range of military capabilities in the deep resources of this strong alliance to provide and strengthen extended deterrence," general Vincent Brooks, US-South Korea Combined Forces Command was quoted as saying by AFP. "North Korea's nuclear test is a dangerous escalation and poses an unacceptable threat," said the general, adding the US has an "unshakable commitment" to defend allies in the region. The supersonic B-1B Lancers reached airspace over the US Osan Air Base at Pyeongtaek, 64 kilometres (40 miles) south of Seoul, at around 10:00 am (0100 GMT). "Our intention is to secure the strongest possible (UN Security Council) resolution that includes new sanctions as quickly as possible," Sung Kim, the US envoy on North Korea, asserted while speaking in the South Korean capital. US remains open to authentic, meaningful dialogue with Pyongyang on ending its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Kim was quoted as saying by Reuters. Each aircraft, which had flown from the US Pacific Command`s Andersen Airforce base at Guam, was escorted by US and South Korean fighter jets. It's pertinent to mention that Seoul in July had announced its plans to deploy THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), a sophisticated US missile defence system, to counter growing nuclear and missile threats from the North. However, North Korea's major diplomatic ally, China, which believes the system`s radar could also be used to track its own defences, had objected strongly. The plan has also met resistance from residents of the southern county of Seongju, the planned site. Kim today pointed out that the United States would work with China to close loopholes in existing resolutions, which were tightened with Beijing`s backing in March. "China has been very clear that they understand the need for a new UN security council resolution in response to the latest North Korean nuclear test," Kim said. China and Russia, however, which strongly oppose a recent decision by the United States and South Korea to deploy an advanced anti-missile system in the South to counter the North`s missile threat, have shown reluctance to back further sanctions. Meanwhile, South Korea`s defence ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun told journalists that Tuesday's overflight was "aimed at sending a clear warning to North Korea about its nuclear test, and containing further provocations". Washington took similar actions after previous atomic tests. In January, the US flew a B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber over Osan Air Base after North Korea`s fourth nuclear blast. South Korea is home to around 28,500 US troops and numerous bases. (WION with inputs from Reuters, AFP)

US bombers fly over South Korea in show of solidarity against Pyongyang

The South Korean Defence Ministry warned that the North is ratcheting up another threat against its rivals.&nbsp; 
 
Intelligence authorities in South Korea said on Monday that Pyongyang has completed preparations for another nuclear test and could carry out the blast at any time.&nbsp; 
 
Officials in Seoul and Washington are keeping a close watch on the developments in Pyongyang.&nbsp; 
 
North Korea on Friday had conducted its fifth and most powerful atomic test that drew widespread condemnation.&nbsp; 
 
The yield from Friday&#39;s test was estimated at 10 kilotons, almost twice as much as the one conducted only eight months ago. 
 
Pyongyang said it had mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile and that its rivals and the United Nations have been powerless to contain the threat.&nbsp; 
 
The Seoul government official said that the North might be conducting the test in a previously unused tunnel at its Punggye-ri site.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States held an annual dialogue to discuss several security issues including North Korea&#39;s threat.&nbsp; 
 
The United States assured its commitment to the defence of Seoul at the bilateral defence dialogue.&nbsp; 
 
On Friday, the UN Security Council also agreed to start work on new measures.&nbsp; 
 
Five sets of UN sanctions since the first nuclear test in 2006 have failed to halt the North&#39;s nuclear drive so far. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
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Seoul warned that Pyongyang is prepared for an additional nuke test, just days after it set off its most powerful blast to date

The South Korean Defence Ministry warned that the North is ratcheting up another threat against its rivals. Intelligence authorities in South Korea said on Monday that Pyongyang has completed preparations for another nuclear test and could carry out the blast at any time. Officials in Seoul and Washington are keeping a close watch on the developments in Pyongyang. North Korea on Friday had conducted its fifth and most powerful atomic test that drew widespread condemnation. The yield from Friday's test was estimated at 10 kilotons, almost twice as much as the one conducted only eight months ago. Pyongyang said it had mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile and that its rivals and the United Nations have been powerless to contain the threat. The Seoul government official said that the North might be conducting the test in a previously unused tunnel at its Punggye-ri site. Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States held an annual dialogue to discuss several security issues including North Korea's threat. The United States assured its commitment to the defence of Seoul at the bilateral defence dialogue. On Friday, the UN Security Council also agreed to start work on new measures. Five sets of UN sanctions since the first nuclear test in 2006 have failed to halt the North's nuclear drive so far. (WION with inputs from agencies)

North Korea ready for another nuclear test: South Korea

The UN Security Council today said they will impose fresh sanctions against Pyongyang, after North Korea conducted its fifth and biggest nuclear test on its 68th anniversery.&nbsp; 
 
The first indications of an underground explosion came when seismic monitors detected a 5.3-magnitude &quot;artificial earthquake&quot; near the Punggye-ri nuclear site, Reuters reported.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Our nuclear scientists staged a nuclear explosion test on a newly developed nuclear warhead at the country&#39;s northern nuclear test site,&quot; a North Korean TV presenter said. 
 
Kim Nam-Wook of the South&#39;s meteorological agency said, &quot;The 10-kiloton blast was nearly twice the (power of the) fourth nuclear test and slightly less than the Hiroshima bombing, which was measured about 15 kilotons.&quot; 
 
World leaders condemned the test and demanded for fresh sanctions to be imposed.&nbsp; 
 
AFP quoted&nbsp;New Zealand&#39;s Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who holds the council&#39;s rotating presidency, as saying, &quot;The members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on appropriate measures under article 41 in a Security Council resolution.&quot; 
 
Meanwhile, North Koreans celebrated their country&#39;s successful conduct of the nuclear test. 
 
Reuters reported state-run television KRT showing a video of North Korean people watching a performance at the Ponghwa Art Theatre and afterwards celebrating. 
 
A North Korean civilan said ,&quot;I can&#39;t put into words how glad I am after hearing the news that the Nuclear Weapons Institute successfully conducted an explosion test of a nuclear warhead.&quot; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Pyongyang conducted the nuclear test on its 68th anniversary and claimed mounting nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile

The UN Security Council today said they will impose fresh sanctions against Pyongyang, after North Korea conducted its fifth and biggest nuclear test on its 68th anniversery. The first indications of an underground explosion came when seismic monitors detected a 5.3-magnitude "artificial earthquake" near the Punggye-ri nuclear site, Reuters reported. "Our nuclear scientists staged a nuclear explosion test on a newly developed nuclear warhead at the country's northern nuclear test site," a North Korean TV presenter said. Kim Nam-Wook of the South's meteorological agency said, "The 10-kiloton blast was nearly twice the (power of the) fourth nuclear test and slightly less than the Hiroshima bombing, which was measured about 15 kilotons." World leaders condemned the test and demanded for fresh sanctions to be imposed. AFP quoted New Zealand's Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who holds the council's rotating presidency, as saying, "The members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on appropriate measures under article 41 in a Security Council resolution." Meanwhile, North Koreans celebrated their country's successful conduct of the nuclear test. Reuters reported state-run television KRT showing a video of North Korean people watching a performance at the Ponghwa Art Theatre and afterwards celebrating. A North Korean civilan said ,"I can't put into words how glad I am after hearing the news that the Nuclear Weapons Institute successfully conducted an explosion test of a nuclear warhead." (WION with inputs from agencies)

UN Security Council to impose sanctions against North Korea

North Korea conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test to date on Friday. The test, estimated at 10 kilotons, sparked international shockwaves. 
 
The North howeves says its weapons programme is only a defence against US nuclear &ldquo;blackmail&rdquo;.&nbsp; 
 
South Korea meanwhile said the nuclear threat from the North was growing fast and called for tough new sanctions from the UN Security Council to force it to change tack. 
 
&quot;It is believed that the North&#39;s nuclear capability is becoming more advanced to a considerable level, and at a faster pace,&quot; Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se told senior ministry officials, calling for &quot;more and stronger sanctions&quot;. 
 
During a closed-door meeting on Friday, the council strongly condemned the test and agreed to begin drafting a new resolution under Article 41 of the UN charter, which provides for sanctions. 
 
&quot;The members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on appropriate measures under Article 41 in a Security Council resolution,&quot; New Zealand&#39;s ambassador Gerard van Bohemen told reporters. 
 
The blast at the Punggye-ri nuclear site was condemned by several countries including the South, US, Russia and China. 
 
In Seoul, dozens of protesters burned an effigy of the North&#39;s dictator Kim Jong-Un and called for &quot;strong retaliation&quot;, including pre-emptive attacks on the North&#39;s nuclear complex. 
 
&quot;Eliminate Kim Jong-Un!&quot; and &quot;Destroy North Korea&#39;s nuclear weapons!&quot; the elderly activists shouted. 
 
But, North Korea has said it will not submit to US &quot;nuclear blackmail&quot;. 
 
The North&rsquo;s ruling party newspaper &nbsp;criticised South Korean President Park Geun-Hye over her condemnation of the North&#39;s ballistic missile tests and called her a &ldquo;dirty prostitute&rdquo; for working with US forces. 
 
&quot;Gone are the days never to return when the US could make a unilateral nuclear blackmail against the DPRK,&quot; said Rodong Sinmun, using the country&#39;s official name. 
 
&quot;The US is exasperated by the strong military steps being taken by the DPRK in a phased way.&quot; 
North Korea has been subject to sanctions since 2006 but the country has, nevertheless, continued to develop its nuclear programme. 
 
After its fourth test in March, sanctions were toughened to include North Korea&#39;s mineral trade and stricter banking restrictions. 
 
However, this did not stop the isolated communist state from conducting a further 21 ballistic missile launches. 
 
The Security Council met on Friday at the request of Japan, South Korea and the United States.&nbsp; 
 
(WION, with inputs from AFP)

The country conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test to date on Friday, sparking international shockwaves

North Korea conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test to date on Friday. The test, estimated at 10 kilotons, sparked international shockwaves. The North howeves says its weapons programme is only a defence against US nuclear “blackmail”. South Korea meanwhile said the nuclear threat from the North was growing fast and called for tough new sanctions from the UN Security Council to force it to change tack. "It is believed that the North's nuclear capability is becoming more advanced to a considerable level, and at a faster pace," Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se told senior ministry officials, calling for "more and stronger sanctions". During a closed-door meeting on Friday, the council strongly condemned the test and agreed to begin drafting a new resolution under Article 41 of the UN charter, which provides for sanctions. "The members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on appropriate measures under Article 41 in a Security Council resolution," New Zealand's ambassador Gerard van Bohemen told reporters. The blast at the Punggye-ri nuclear site was condemned by several countries including the South, US, Russia and China. In Seoul, dozens of protesters burned an effigy of the North's dictator Kim Jong-Un and called for "strong retaliation", including pre-emptive attacks on the North's nuclear complex. "Eliminate Kim Jong-Un!" and "Destroy North Korea's nuclear weapons!" the elderly activists shouted. But, North Korea has said it will not submit to US "nuclear blackmail". The North’s ruling party newspaper criticised South Korean President Park Geun-Hye over her condemnation of the North's ballistic missile tests and called her a “dirty prostitute” for working with US forces. "Gone are the days never to return when the US could make a unilateral nuclear blackmail against the DPRK," said Rodong Sinmun, using the country's official name. "The US is exasperated by the strong military steps being taken by the DPRK in a phased way." North Korea has been subject to sanctions since 2006 but the country has, nevertheless, continued to develop its nuclear programme. After its fourth test in March, sanctions were toughened to include North Korea's mineral trade and stricter banking restrictions. However, this did not stop the isolated communist state from conducting a further 21 ballistic missile launches. The Security Council met on Friday at the request of Japan, South Korea and the United States. (WION, with inputs from AFP)

North Korea justifies nukes, says they are defence against US 'blackmail'

North Korea has reportedly forbidden people from making sarcastic comments about the authoritarian leader Kim Jong-un in everyday conversations.&nbsp; 
 
Indirect criticism of his totalitarian regime has been also banned, according to media reports.&nbsp; 
 
The warning that &ldquo;critics will not be forgiven&rdquo; was issued in a series of mass meetings held by functionaries across the city.&nbsp; 
 
The caution was also issued in neighbouring Yangang province, The Independent reported.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;One state security official personally organised a meeting to alert local residents to potential &lsquo;hostile actions&rsquo; by internal rebellious elements,&rdquo; a source in Jagang Province told Radio Free Asia&#39;s Korean service, according to report.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;The main point of the lecture was &lsquo;Keep your mouths shut.&rsquo;&rdquo; 
 
Expressions like &ldquo;This is America&#39;s fault&rdquo; and &ldquo;A fool who can&#39;t see the outside world&rdquo; (for Jong-un) that are seemingly doing rounds in the country would be unacceptable, officials told people at the meeting.&nbsp; 
 
(WION) 
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Indirect criticism of Jong-un's totalitarian regime has also been banned, media reports said today

North Korea has reportedly forbidden people from making sarcastic comments about the authoritarian leader Kim Jong-un in everyday conversations. Indirect criticism of his totalitarian regime has been also banned, according to media reports. The warning that “critics will not be forgiven” was issued in a series of mass meetings held by functionaries across the city. The caution was also issued in neighbouring Yangang province, The Independent reported. “One state security official personally organised a meeting to alert local residents to potential ‘hostile actions’ by internal rebellious elements,” a source in Jagang Province told Radio Free Asia's Korean service, according to report. “The main point of the lecture was ‘Keep your mouths shut.’” Expressions like “This is America's fault” and “A fool who can't see the outside world” (for Jong-un) that are seemingly doing rounds in the country would be unacceptable, officials told people at the meeting. (WION)

North Korea 'bans' sarcastic comments on leader Kim Jong-un: Reports

North Korea hailed its &quot;successful&quot; fifth nuclear test today, state-run TV said, after the explosion was described by South Korea as Pyongyang&#39;s largest-ever such blast. 
 
&quot;Scientists (from)... the Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea (DPRK)&nbsp;carried out a nuclear explosion test for the judgment of the power of a nuclear warhead newly studied and manufactured by them at the northern nuclear test ground,&quot; a TV announcer said, using the North&#39;s official name.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The Central Committee of the (ruling) Workers&#39; Party of Korea sent warm congratulations to nuclear scientists... of the northern nuclear test ground on the successful nuclear warhead explosion test,&quot; she said.&nbsp; 
 
The test will also enable the North to produce &quot;as many as it wants (of) a variety of smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear warheads of higher strike power&quot;, she said.&nbsp; 
 
No leakage of nuclear material had occurred in the test and that there was no environmental impact, the state-run TV added.&nbsp; 
 
Obama warns of consequences&nbsp; 
 
The 5.3 magnitude earthquake, recorded around Punggye-ri nuclear test site near the border with China, triggered sharp reactions from US, China and Japan.&nbsp; 
 
US President Barack Obama, warning of &quot;serious consequences&quot;, called the leaders of South Korea and Japan to consult after the seismic activity was detected, a White House spokesman said today.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The President indicated he would continue to consult our allies and partners in the days ahead to ensure provocative actions from North Korea are met with serious consequences,&quot; White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. 
 
Largest-ever explosion by the North: Seoul&nbsp; 
 
The latest test, with an estimated yield of 10 kilotons, is the largest-ever staged by Pyongyang, Seoul&#39;s military said.&nbsp; 
 
North Korea&#39;s man-made earthquake today emitted energy that was double that of its nuclear test in January, South Korea&#39;s meteorological agency added.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Energy of the magnitude 5.04 is double that of the fourth nuclear test (by North Korea),&quot; said director general for Earthquake and Volcano of Korea Meteorological Administration, Kim Nam-ouk, at a news briefing. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

North Korea's man-made earthquake today emitted energy that was double that of its nuclear test in January, claimed Seoul?

North Korea hailed its "successful" fifth nuclear test today, state-run TV said, after the explosion was described by South Korea as Pyongyang's largest-ever such blast. "Scientists (from)... the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) carried out a nuclear explosion test for the judgment of the power of a nuclear warhead newly studied and manufactured by them at the northern nuclear test ground," a TV announcer said, using the North's official name. "The Central Committee of the (ruling) Workers' Party of Korea sent warm congratulations to nuclear scientists... of the northern nuclear test ground on the successful nuclear warhead explosion test," she said. The test will also enable the North to produce "as many as it wants (of) a variety of smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear warheads of higher strike power", she said. No leakage of nuclear material had occurred in the test and that there was no environmental impact, the state-run TV added. Obama warns of consequences The 5.3 magnitude earthquake, recorded around Punggye-ri nuclear test site near the border with China, triggered sharp reactions from US, China and Japan. US President Barack Obama, warning of "serious consequences", called the leaders of South Korea and Japan to consult after the seismic activity was detected, a White House spokesman said today. "The President indicated he would continue to consult our allies and partners in the days ahead to ensure provocative actions from North Korea are met with serious consequences," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. Largest-ever explosion by the North: Seoul The latest test, with an estimated yield of 10 kilotons, is the largest-ever staged by Pyongyang, Seoul's military said. North Korea's man-made earthquake today emitted energy that was double that of its nuclear test in January, South Korea's meteorological agency added. "Energy of the magnitude 5.04 is double that of the fourth nuclear test (by North Korea)," said director general for Earthquake and Volcano of Korea Meteorological Administration, Kim Nam-ouk, at a news briefing. (WION with inputs from agencies)

North Korea hails 'successful nuclear test' after widespread condemnation

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake in North Korea, that is being labelled as an &#39;artificial earthquake&#39; by Seoul, has triggered sharp reactions from US, Japan and China, apart from South Korea.&nbsp; 
 
The White House, that did not confirm reports of a nuclear test, has said it is assessing the explosion. 
 
&quot;We are aware of seismic activity on the Korean Peninsula in the vicinity of a known North Korean nuclear test site,&quot; National Security Council spokesman Ned Price has been quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp; 
 
Speculations are rife that the seismic event, detected near &nbsp;North Korea&#39;s Punggye-ri nuclear test site, was recorded as a result of a &#39;fifth nuclear test&#39; by the country following the January test.&nbsp; 
 
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reacted strongly saying that nuclear test by North Korea could not be tolerated and that Japan would protest strongly to Pyongyang if confirmed. 
 
Meanwhile, Lassina Zerbo,&nbsp;the head of world monitoring agency Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)&nbsp;told Reuters that the seismic activity produced by a suspected North Korean nuclear test is larger than an earthquake triggered by a nuclear test in the same area in January, 
 
&quot;It&#39;s a larger signal than last time,&quot; Zerbo said, referring to the earthquake triggered by North Korea&#39;s January 2016 nuclear test. 
 
Lassina Zerbo, executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation, said the agency was processing unusual seismic activity in the Korean peninsula from its 25 stations monitoring the region. 
 
Meanwhile, China&#39;s environment ministry has begun emergency radiation monitoring along border regions in northeastern China after North Korea carried out a suspected nuclear test, state television said on its official microblog on Friday. 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters)&nbsp; 
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Seismic activity produced by the suspected nuclear test is larger than quake triggered by nuclear test in same area in January: CTBTO head

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake in North Korea, that is being labelled as an 'artificial earthquake' by Seoul, has triggered sharp reactions from US, Japan and China, apart from South Korea. The White House, that did not confirm reports of a nuclear test, has said it is assessing the explosion. "We are aware of seismic activity on the Korean Peninsula in the vicinity of a known North Korean nuclear test site," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price has been quoted as saying by AFP. Speculations are rife that the seismic event, detected near North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site, was recorded as a result of a 'fifth nuclear test' by the country following the January test. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reacted strongly saying that nuclear test by North Korea could not be tolerated and that Japan would protest strongly to Pyongyang if confirmed. Meanwhile, Lassina Zerbo, the head of world monitoring agency Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) told Reuters that the seismic activity produced by a suspected North Korean nuclear test is larger than an earthquake triggered by a nuclear test in the same area in January, "It's a larger signal than last time," Zerbo said, referring to the earthquake triggered by North Korea's January 2016 nuclear test. Lassina Zerbo, executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation, said the agency was processing unusual seismic activity in the Korean peninsula from its 25 stations monitoring the region. Meanwhile, China's environment ministry has begun emergency radiation monitoring along border regions in northeastern China after North Korea carried out a suspected nuclear test, state television said on its official microblog on Friday. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

North Korea's 'suspected nuclear test' triggers sharp reactions?

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

<div style="text-align: justify;">South Korean unification ministry spokesperson Jeong Joon-Hee today announced at a regular briefing that North Korea&#39;s vice premier for education Kim Yong-Jin had been executed. 
 
His fault: a disrespectful sitting position during a session of North Korean parliament held by the country&#39;s dictator Kim Jong-Un. 
 
&quot;Kim Yong-Jin was denounced for his bad sitting posture when he was sitting below the rostrum,&quot; and then underwent an interrogation that revealed his other crimes, an anonymous source within the South Korean unification ministry told AFP. 
 
The vice premier was executed by a firing squad in July as &quot;an anti-party, anti-revolutionary agitator&quot;, added the anonymous source. 
 
According to the South Korean unification ministry, two other officials came under Kim Jon-Un&#39;s scanner and have been sent for &#39;re-education&#39; sessions. 
 
One of them is Kim Yong-Chol, a top official in charge of inter-Korean affairs and espionage activities who is believed to be the mastermind behind the North Korean cyber attacks against the South. 
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<h5>High-profile executions are not new to dictator Kim Jong-Un. Since the beginning of his regime, in 2011, he is believed to have ordered the elimination of many senior politicians.</h5>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=High-profile executions are not new to dictator Kim Jong-Un. Since the beginning of his regime, in 2011, he is believed to have ordered the elimination of many senior politicians.
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Kim Yong-Chol was banished to an agricultural farm in July for a month for his &quot;arrogance&quot; and &quot;abuse of power,&quot; informed the South Korean Unification Ministry official. 
 
What happened during this period is not clear.&nbsp; 
 
He has now been reinstated, but he might be forced to prove his loyalties&nbsp;towards North Korea through actions against South Korea. 
 
&quot;Therefore, we are keeping a close tab on the North&quot;, said the South Korean official. 
 
High-profile executions are not new to dictator Kim Jong-Un. Since the beginning of his regime, in 2011, he is believed to have ordered the elimination of many senior politicians. 
 
According to South Korea&#39;s Yonhap news agency, the number of party officials executed is close to a hundred. &nbsp; 
 
Analysts say that it is an attempt to keep full control over the country&#39;s institutions. 
 
All these news must be taken with a pinch of salt, or maybe two. North Korea is a silent country, it never replies officially to the many accusations regularly moved against it. There are no free journalists and the country&#39;s media is completely in the hands of the government, making it almost impossible to verify facts on the spot and gather first-hand news. 
 
Such is the difficulty in getting exact news that the mass-selling South Korean media &#39;JoongAng Ilbo&#39;, for instance, identified the education vice premier by a different name when first reporting the news.&nbsp; 
 
Information regarding North Korea mainly reaches public domain through South Korean intelligence reports, a country that has every political and strategic interest in portraying the neighbouring country as a sort of &ldquo;hell on earth&rdquo;. 
 
International media and agencies often grope in the dark, relying on anonymous sources, mainly South Korean. 
 
This makes North Korean news coverage prone to mistakes, like the recent case of Gen&nbsp;Ri Yong Gil. South Korean intelligence claimed that he had been executed earlier this year, but he appeared pretty much alive during a congress event held in North Korea&#39; s capital city of Pyongyang in May. 
 
What is probably more verifiable is the recent series of high-profile individuals who left North Korea. 
 
South Korea&#39;s Yonhap news agency claimed that &#39;informed sources&#39; told them that 10 North Korean diplomats fled their country in the first half of 2016 alone. 
 
North Korea&#39;s deputy ambassador Thae Yong-Ho to Britain has defected to the South with his family, said South Korean unification ministry, who did not miss the opportunity to state that he did so because of his &quot;disgust for the North Korean regime&quot;. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)</div>

Anonymous sources said that the vice premier was executed by a firing squad in July for being an 'anti-party, anti-revolutionary agitator'

South Korean unification ministry spokesperson Jeong Joon-Hee today announced at a regular briefing that North Korea's vice premier for education Kim Yong-Jin had been executed. His fault: a disrespectful sitting position during a session of North Korean parliament held by the country's dictator Kim Jong-Un. "Kim Yong-Jin was denounced for his bad sitting posture when he was sitting below the rostrum," and then underwent an interrogation that revealed his other crimes, an anonymous source within the South Korean unification ministry told AFP. The vice premier was executed by a firing squad in July as "an anti-party, anti-revolutionary agitator", added the anonymous source. According to the South Korean unification ministry, two other officials came under Kim Jon-Un's scanner and have been sent for 're-education' sessions. One of them is Kim Yong-Chol, a top official in charge of inter-Korean affairs and espionage activities who is believed to be the mastermind behind the North Korean cyber attacks against the South. High-profile executions are not new to dictator Kim Jong-Un. Since the beginning of his regime, in 2011, he is believed to have ordered the elimination of many senior politicians. Kim Yong-Chol was banished to an agricultural farm in July for a month for his "arrogance" and "abuse of power," informed the South Korean Unification Ministry official. What happened during this period is not clear. He has now been reinstated, but he might be forced to prove his loyalties towards North Korea through actions against South Korea. "Therefore, we are keeping a close tab on the North", said the South Korean official. High-profile executions are not new to dictator Kim Jong-Un. Since the beginning of his regime, in 2011, he is believed to have ordered the elimination of many senior politicians. According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, the number of party officials executed is close to a hundred. Analysts say that it is an attempt to keep full control over the country's institutions. All these news must be taken with a pinch of salt, or maybe two. North Korea is a silent country, it never replies officially to the many accusations regularly moved against it. There are no free journalists and the country's media is completely in the hands of the government, making it almost impossible to verify facts on the spot and gather first-hand news. Such is the difficulty in getting exact news that the mass-selling South Korean media 'JoongAng Ilbo', for instance, identified the education vice premier by a different name when first reporting the news. Information regarding North Korea mainly reaches public domain through South Korean intelligence reports, a country that has every political and strategic interest in portraying the neighbouring country as a sort of “hell on earth”. International media and agencies often grope in the dark, relying on anonymous sources, mainly South Korean. This makes North Korean news coverage prone to mistakes, like the recent case of Gen Ri Yong Gil. South Korean intelligence claimed that he had been executed earlier this year, but he appeared pretty much alive during a congress event held in North Korea' s capital city of Pyongyang in May. What is probably more verifiable is the recent series of high-profile individuals who left North Korea. South Korea's Yonhap news agency claimed that 'informed sources' told them that 10 North Korean diplomats fled their country in the first half of 2016 alone. North Korea's deputy ambassador Thae Yong-Ho to Britain has defected to the South with his family, said South Korean unification ministry, who did not miss the opportunity to state that he did so because of his "disgust for the North Korean regime". (With inputs from agencies)

North Korean vice premier executed for 'disrespectful sitting position': Seoul

North Korea has executed its vice premier for education, Kim Yong Jin, and has reprimanded two other high-ranking officials, South Korea said on Wednesday. 
 
Kim Yong Chol, the influential head of the North&#39;s United Front Department which handles inter-Korean relations, was made to undergo &quot;revolutionary measures&quot;, the South&#39;s Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said. 
 
The South&#39;s comments follow a news report on Tuesday that said the North had executed two high-ranking officials earlier in the month for disobeying leader Kim Jong Un. 
 
Jeong spoke at a briefing and declined to give further details. 
 
(Reuters)

According to South Korea, the North has also reprimanded two other high-ranking officials

North Korea has executed its vice premier for education, Kim Yong Jin, and has reprimanded two other high-ranking officials, South Korea said on Wednesday. Kim Yong Chol, the influential head of the North's United Front Department which handles inter-Korean relations, was made to undergo "revolutionary measures", the South's Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said. The South's comments follow a news report on Tuesday that said the North had executed two high-ranking officials earlier in the month for disobeying leader Kim Jong Un. Jeong spoke at a briefing and declined to give further details. (Reuters)

North Korea executes vice premier for education - South Korea

North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un has declared a submarine-launched missile test the &quot;greatest success&quot;, state media reported today, even as the UN weighed a condemnation of the launch which appears to be an advancement in Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear strike capability. 
 
The US mainland and the Pacific are now &quot;within the striking range&quot; of the North Korean army, the official news agency reported Kim as saying. 
 
The missile was test-fired from a submarine submerged off the northeastern port of Sinpo on Wednesday, according to South Korea&#39;s military. It flew round 300 miles towards Japan, exceeding any previous sub-launched tests. 
 
The UN Security Council met on Wednesday to discuss this latest provocative move and agreed to consider a statement condemning the launch. 
 
&quot;There was a general sense of condemnation by most members of the council and therefore we will have to see how we would then be phrasing the press statement,&quot; said Ramlan bin Ibrahim from Malaysia, which currently holds the council&#39;s presidency. 
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<h5>Current UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, but Pyongyang has continued to carry out numerous launches following its fourth nuclear test in January.</h5>
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However, according to media reports, diplomats expected further haggling with China, Pyongyang&#39;s main ally, over the wording. 
 
Earlier this month, North Korea fired a land-launched ballistic missile directly into Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, that followed an outraged response from Tokyo. 
 
But the Security Council failed to condemn the move after China sought to include language in a statement opposing the THAAD missile defence system that the United States plans to deploy in South Korea. 
 
Kim said the latest launch proved the North had joined the &quot;front rank of the military powers fully equipped with nuclear attack capability&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
According to reports, Pyongyang&#39;s top newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried 24 photos of him observing the launch, including one with his hands on his waist laughing at an observation post, and other watching through a pair of binoculars.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I do not guess what ridiculous remarks the US and its followers will make about this test-fire, but I can say their rash acts will only precipitate their self-destruction,&quot; he was quoted as saying.&nbsp; 
 
South Korea&#39;s Yonhap news agency cited a military source as saying Wednesday&#39;s launch had been made at an acute angle to limit the missile&#39;s range. 
 
The US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said on its website, 38 North, that Pyongyang still faces significant technological challenges including building a new class of submarine to carry the missile. 
 
But the North is &quot;on track to the capability to strike targets in the region, including Japan, by 2020&quot;, it said. 
 
Current UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, but Pyongyang has continued to carry out numerous launches following its fourth nuclear test in January. 
 
(With inputs from AFP)

Kim was reported as saying after the test that the US mainland and the pacific are now 'within the striking range' of his army

North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un has declared a submarine-launched missile test the "greatest success", state media reported today, even as the UN weighed a condemnation of the launch which appears to be an advancement in Pyongyang's nuclear strike capability. The US mainland and the Pacific are now "within the striking range" of the North Korean army, the official news agency reported Kim as saying. The missile was test-fired from a submarine submerged off the northeastern port of Sinpo on Wednesday, according to South Korea's military. It flew round 300 miles towards Japan, exceeding any previous sub-launched tests. The UN Security Council met on Wednesday to discuss this latest provocative move and agreed to consider a statement condemning the launch. "There was a general sense of condemnation by most members of the council and therefore we will have to see how we would then be phrasing the press statement," said Ramlan bin Ibrahim from Malaysia, which currently holds the council's presidency. Current UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, but Pyongyang has continued to carry out numerous launches following its fourth nuclear test in January. However, according to media reports, diplomats expected further haggling with China, Pyongyang's main ally, over the wording. Earlier this month, North Korea fired a land-launched ballistic missile directly into Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, that followed an outraged response from Tokyo. But the Security Council failed to condemn the move after China sought to include language in a statement opposing the THAAD missile defence system that the United States plans to deploy in South Korea. Kim said the latest launch proved the North had joined the "front rank of the military powers fully equipped with nuclear attack capability". According to reports, Pyongyang's top newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried 24 photos of him observing the launch, including one with his hands on his waist laughing at an observation post, and other watching through a pair of binoculars. "I do not guess what ridiculous remarks the US and its followers will make about this test-fire, but I can say their rash acts will only precipitate their self-destruction," he was quoted as saying. South Korea's Yonhap news agency cited a military source as saying Wednesday's launch had been made at an acute angle to limit the missile's range. The US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said on its website, 38 North, that Pyongyang still faces significant technological challenges including building a new class of submarine to carry the missile. But the North is "on track to the capability to strike targets in the region, including Japan, by 2020", it said. Current UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, but Pyongyang has continued to carry out numerous launches following its fourth nuclear test in January. (With inputs from AFP)

Kim Jong-Un declares submarine-launched missile test  'greatest success'; UN condemns launch

Following North Korea&#39;s missile firing, foreign ministers of Japan, China and South Korea met in Tokyo on Wednesday, August 24 to talk about closer multilateral cooperation. 
 
Hours before the meeting, North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile that flew 500 km (311 miles) towards Japan. The country has in the recent past conducted a series of such launches despite UN sanctions. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s unforgivable that North Korea launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Japan immediately protested against the North Korean missile launch and would like to cooperate closely with China and South Korea to lead the international community&#39;s response to it,&quot; Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said at the meeting. 
 
&quot;North Korea&#39;s recent nuclear test and continual missile launches have been an urgent and grave threat to this region. In such situations, solidarity and cooperation among three countries is more important than ever,&quot; said South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se. 
 
Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi said that it was China&#39;s responsibility to promote economic development, lead regional cooperation and maintain regional peace and stability. &quot;China insists that in the spirit of squarely facing history and advancing toward the future,&quot; he said. 
 
Two days ago, South Korea and the United States began annual military exercises in the South which North Korea condemns as a preparation for invasion, and has threatened retaliation. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

North Korea has in the past conducted a series of missile launches despite UN sanctions

Following North Korea's missile firing, foreign ministers of Japan, China and South Korea met in Tokyo on Wednesday, August 24 to talk about closer multilateral cooperation. Hours before the meeting, North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile that flew 500 km (311 miles) towards Japan. The country has in the recent past conducted a series of such launches despite UN sanctions. "It's unforgivable that North Korea launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Japan immediately protested against the North Korean missile launch and would like to cooperate closely with China and South Korea to lead the international community's response to it," Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said at the meeting. "North Korea's recent nuclear test and continual missile launches have been an urgent and grave threat to this region. In such situations, solidarity and cooperation among three countries is more important than ever," said South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se. Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi said that it was China's responsibility to promote economic development, lead regional cooperation and maintain regional peace and stability. "China insists that in the spirit of squarely facing history and advancing toward the future," he said. Two days ago, South Korea and the United States began annual military exercises in the South which North Korea condemns as a preparation for invasion, and has threatened retaliation. (With inputs from agencies)

China, Japan and South Korea meet following North Korea's missile launch

North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast, South Korea&#39;s military said today, the latest in a string of missile launches by the isolated country in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions. 
 
North Korea test-fired the missile at around 5.30 a.m. (0830 GMT) near the coastal city of Sinpo, where satellite imagery shows a submarine base to be located, an official at South Korea&#39;s joint chiefs of staff said. 
 
The launch comes two days after rival South Korea and the United States began annual military exercises in the South that North Korea condemns as a preparation for an&nbsp;invasion, and has threatened retaliation. 
 
North Korea has become further isolated after a January nuclear test, its fourth, and the launch of a long-range rocket in February brought tightened UN sanctions. 
 
It has launched numerous missiles of various types this year, including one this month that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters. 
 
Tensions on the Korean peninsula were exacerbated by the recent defection of North Korea&#39;s deputy ambassador in London to South Korea, an embarrassing setback to the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 
 
(Reuters)

The launch comes two days after rival South Korea and the US began annual military exercises in the South that North Korea condemns

North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast, South Korea's military said today, the latest in a string of missile launches by the isolated country in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea test-fired the missile at around 5.30 a.m. (0830 GMT) near the coastal city of Sinpo, where satellite imagery shows a submarine base to be located, an official at South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said. The launch comes two days after rival South Korea and the United States began annual military exercises in the South that North Korea condemns as a preparation for an invasion, and has threatened retaliation. North Korea has become further isolated after a January nuclear test, its fourth, and the launch of a long-range rocket in February brought tightened UN sanctions. It has launched numerous missiles of various types this year, including one this month that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters. Tensions on the Korean peninsula were exacerbated by the recent defection of North Korea's deputy ambassador in London to South Korea, an embarrassing setback to the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (Reuters)

North Korea test-fires submarine-launched ballistic missile: South Korea

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