President Donald Trump's administration is asking Democratic People's Republic of Korea leaders to resume negotiations over the country's denuclearization, national security advisor Robert O'Brien told Axios. #WION

White House says US has asked North Korea to resume talks

South Korea's President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-of-south-korean-mps-charged-over-parliamentary-stand-off-271713">Moon Jae-in</a> said on Tuesday that there is a "desperate need" for practical ways to improve ties with North Korea and he was ready to meet with the reclusive leader in Pyongyang repeatedly if necessary.

Moon, sidelined from his leading role in the diplomatic effort with&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea in 2018, said he regretted the past year's lack of progress in negotiations.

In an annual New Year's speech in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/faster-rockets-more-warheads-what-north-korea-could-gain-from-new-weapons-development-271619">Seoul</a>,&nbsp;Moon&nbsp;called for new talks with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-skips-set-piece-new-years-speech-271374">Kim Jong Un</a> and vowed to keep up work to facilitate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-promises-action-on-any-north-korea-missile-test-white-house-270890">US-North&nbsp;Korea</a> communication.

"In a time of deadlock in US-North&nbsp;Korea talks and where we are even concerned about a step backward in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-fires-warning-shots-towards-north-korean-merchant-vessel-264862">inter-Korean relations</a>, we are in desperate need of practical&nbsp;ways&nbsp;to&nbsp;improve&nbsp;inter-Korean cooperation," he said.

He also said he would continue to push for restarting the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-leader-kim-vows-to-clear-south-korea-relics-from-kumgang-resort-257625">Kaesong Industrial Complex</a> and tours to Mt. Kumgang, and mentioned border cooperation without elaborating. He added the joint 2032 Olympics bid would be a unifying event, as would completing the inter-Korean railroad.

"We want to make an era where separation is no longer a roadblock for peace and prosperity for&nbsp;South&nbsp;and&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea," he said.

North&nbsp;Korea has been unresponsive to other recent overtures from Seoul, and cooperation projects between the neighbors have stalled in the face of international sanctions that bar most business with the&nbsp;North.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-holds-top-party-meeting-ahead-of-us-deadline-270787">Pyongyang</a> has expressed frustration at what it calls Washington's lack of flexibility, while US&nbsp;officials say it must take more concrete steps to dismantle its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs before sanctions are eased.

"The momentum for US-North&nbsp;Korea talks must continue,"&nbsp;Moon&nbsp;said. "Provocations and threats are not helpful for anyone."

Over the New Year, Kim said he planned to further develop nuclear programs and introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, though he signaled there was still room for dialogue with the United States.

Watch:&nbsp;Kim Jong-Un's plan for 2020

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Security and prosperity on the Korean peninsula are dependent on resolving international tensions, but the two Koreas could achieve progress through cooperation,&nbsp;Moon&nbsp;said.

"I suggest&nbsp;South&nbsp;and&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea put our heads together," he said.

South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday that there is a "desperate need" for practical ways to improve ties with North Korea and he was ready to meet with the reclusive leader in Pyongyang repeatedly if necessary.

South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday that there is a "desperate need" for practical ways to improve ties with North Korea and he was ready to meet with the reclusive leader in Pyongyang repeatedly if necessary. Moon, sidelined from his leading role in the diplomatic effort with North Korea in 2018, said he regretted the past year's lack of progress in negotiations. In an annual New Year's speech in Seoul, Moon called for new talks with Kim Jong Un and vowed to keep up work to facilitate US-North Korea communication. "In a time of deadlock in US-North Korea talks and where we are even concerned about a step backward in inter-Korean relations, we are in desperate need of practical ways to improve inter-Korean cooperation," he said. He also said he would continue to push for restarting the Kaesong Industrial Complex and tours to Mt. Kumgang, and mentioned border cooperation without elaborating. He added the joint 2032 Olympics bid would be a unifying event, as would completing the inter-Korean railroad. "We want to make an era where separation is no longer a roadblock for peace and prosperity for South and North Korea," he said. North Korea has been unresponsive to other recent overtures from Seoul, and cooperation projects between the neighbors have stalled in the face of international sanctions that bar most business with the North. Pyongyang has expressed frustration at what it calls Washington's lack of flexibility, while US officials say it must take more concrete steps to dismantle its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs before sanctions are eased. "The momentum for US-North Korea talks must continue," Moon said. "Provocations and threats are not helpful for anyone." Over the New Year, Kim said he planned to further develop nuclear programs and introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, though he signaled there was still room for dialogue with the United States. Watch: Kim Jong-Un's plan for 2020 × Security and prosperity on the Korean peninsula are dependent on resolving international tensions, but the two Koreas could achieve progress through cooperation, Moon said. "I suggest South and North Korea put our heads together," he said.

In desperate need of practical ways to improve inter-Korean cooperation: South Korea President

The funeral procession of Qasem Soleimani took place on the streets of Ahvaz city in Iran. Thousands of Iranian mourn the death of Former Iranian major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qasem Soleimani. #QasemSoleimani #QasemSoleimaniFuneral #Soleimani #US #Iran #WION

Funeral procession of Qasem Soleimani, thousands Iranian mourn Soleimani's death

The funeral procession of Qasem Soleimani took place on the streets of Ahvaz city in Iran. Thousands of Iranian mourn the death of Former Iranian major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qasem Soleimani. #WION #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #Iran

Iran: Thousands pay respect to Qasem Soleimani

Iranian Parliament MPs shouted "Death to America!" On Sunday during a session to discuss the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in a US military strike. #IranianParliament #QasemSoleimani

Iran MPs chant 'Death to America' as Soleimani's body brought back to Tehran

Democratic presidential contenders on Friday condemned the airstrike that killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, saying President Donald Trump's decision was reckless and could lead the United States to another war in the Middle East. #JoeBiden #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #DonaldTrump #WION

Trump's rivals to the White House condemn Iran strike, suggested to avoid war

It seems like the U.S. is not quite finished with its operations in West Asia. Reports have claimed that the U.S. launched fresh airstrikes on the northern part of Baghdad targeting a militia convoy. But, militia group claimed that airstrike targeted medics, not the senior leaders. #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #WION

Fresh airstrikes in North Baghdad, 6 killed & 3 injured

World reacts to killing Iran's Soleimani by the U.S. Mideast countries & Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi on Monday condemned airstrikes by the United States on several bases belonging to an Iranian-backed militia group in Iraq and said the attack would have consequences. #WION #DonaldTrump #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran

World reacts to killing of Iran's Soleimani by U.S., Mideast countries condemn US strikes in Iraq

Basically, Quds force is also a part of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, IRGC helped Tehran fight proxy wars on the foreign soil. This force was formed on April 22, 1979. Iran shares close ties to supreme leader Khamenei. #IRGC #Iran #US #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #WION

Role of Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Iran-U.S. conflicts

It seems like the U.S. is not quite finished with its operations in West Asia. Reports have claimed that the U.S. launched fresh airstrikes on the northern part of Baghdad targeting a militia convoy. U.S. President Donald Trump said, "Qasem Soleimani has plotted attacks in Delhi & London, now the reign of his terror is over." #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #DonaldTrump #WION

Trump: Soleimani plotted attacks in Delhi & London, now reign of his terror is over

While the killing of Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani is going to have magnitudes of repercussions on west Asia and the United States foreign policy. One of these developments wider implications could be a message to North Korea. As North Korea is another foreign power since the Trump administration has missed no opportunity to aggravate the United States efforts to get the country to denuclearize. Denuclearization of Iran was the cornerstone of the Obama era administration. #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #WION

Ayatollah Khamenei vows 'severe revenge' after Soleimani killed by U.S.

Did Soleimani plot attacks in India?

Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces performed the last rites for Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleimani, top commanders of the Revolutionary Guards' elite force, who were killed in a US airstrike late Thursday with their convoy at Baghdad Airport. #SoleimaniFuneral #Iraq #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #DonaldTrump #WION

Iraq perform last rites for commanders killed in U.S. air strike

On Saturday at the Holy Shrine of Imam Moussa al-Qadim in Baghdad, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and the head of the elite force Irani Major-General Kasli Soleimani were cremated, both of them were in Baghdad on Friday when they were killed in US drone attack outside the airport. #SoleimaniFuneral #Iraq #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #DonaldTrump #WION

Funeral procession attended by hundreds of people, held Iraqi flags to honour chief

Iran's supreme leader appointed the deputy commander of the Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, as the replacement for Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the elite force who was killed in a U.S. airstrike on Friday. #EsmailGhaani #QasemSoleimani #QudsForceChief #Soleimani #US #Iran #WION

Iran: Brigadier Gen Esmail Qaani appointed as country's Quds Force chief replacing Soleimani

North Korea's Kim Jong-Un plans to develop a nuclear programme this year. #Gravitas #KimJongUn #NorthKorea

Gravitas: Kim Jong-Un's plan for 2020

Killing of Qasem Soleimani can have repercussions on west Asia and US foreign policy

North Korea's state-run television KRT on Thursday (January 2) broadcast a new video of leader Kim Jong Un riding white horse at a sacred mountain with his aides in late 2019.

North Korea's state TV airs video of Kim riding horse at Mount Paektu

If North Korea returns to long-range missile launches or other weapons tests in 2020, its military could make valuable technical advances and gain experience alongside whatever political message is sent to Washington.

This week North Korean leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-skips-set-piece-new-years-speech-271374">Kim Jong Un</a> said that the world would soon see his country's "new strategic weapon" and that there was no longer reason for Pyongyang to be bound by a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.

Kim's comments were the strongest indication that the North could resume some of the major tests it had suspended more than two years ago in the run-up to summit diplomacy with the United States.

After years of development, the weapons programmes of North Korea are now advanced enough that it is hard to predict what it might test, said Jeffrey Lewis, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).

US&nbsp;military officials have said they see a long-range missile launch as one of the most likely possibilities.

Other experts said North Korea could launch a satellite, deploy the new ballistic missile submarine it says it is developing, or field new domestically produced "transporter erector launcher" (TEL) vehicles for its largest missiles.

"Any tests or drills they run will not only allow them to develop weapons that are faster, longer-range, or more reliable, but they also give the people operating these systems more exposure to and practice using and deploying the weapons," said Grace Liu, a research associate at CNS.

Rocket engines

In December, North Korea said it had carried out two important tests at its Sohae satellite launch site, aimed at developing "another strategic weapon" to counter nuclear threats from the United States.

Although North Korean state media did not say exactly what was tested or what the new weapon might be, officials in Washington and Seoul said it appeared likely the North had tested rocket engines, possibly for ICBMs.

"They might work toward developing better liquid-propellant engines or revisit older engines that they've had trouble with in the past," said Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the US-based Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

Analysts also speculated that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-says-north-korea-to-show-new-strategic-weapon-leaves-room-for-talks-271331">North Korea</a> could be developing better solid rocket motors (SRMs), which can offer some benefits like easier storage and transportation.

SRMs would also be important for North Korea's efforts to field an operational submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), similar to what was test-fired from a submerged barge in October.

Watch: Fineprint — US vows action if North Korea provokes

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"Every missile they've flight-tested in 2019 to date has used a solid rocket motor and they're clearly becoming more adept at casting these motors in different diameters," Panda said. "There are challenges associated with moving to ICBM-sized SRMs, but perhaps North Korea will demonstrate a breakthrough on that front."

Reentry vehicles and nuclear warheads

A warhead launched by an ICBM needs a protective reentry vehicle to help it survive the fiery descent through the atmosphere to hit its target.

After the November 2017 launch of its largest ICBM to date, the Hwasong-15, state media said the test confirmed "the safety of a warhead in the atmospheric re-entry environment."

US&nbsp;military officials later said North Korea had not demonstrated a survivable re-entry vehicle, though they did not discount the possibility.

During North Korea's last ICBM tests in 2017, its scientists may have gleaned useful data on how their reentry vehicles worked, Panda said.

However, the tests were conducted on a "lofted trajectory" high into space, potentially limiting the usefulness of some of the data, as the missile would take a much different trajectory during a war, he added.

A final card North Korea could play is an atmospheric test of a nuclear warhead, though many analysts say that is unlikely, as it could anger Pyongyang's backers in Beijing and Moscow.

But North Korea is believed to have continued producing material for nuclear weapons, and analysts said it is likely to continue stockpiling additional warheads while seeking to make them even smaller.

Korea National Defense University's Jeong Han-beom said North Korea could use computer simulations to develop smaller and lighter warheads without new nuclear tests.

Evading missile defences

In 2019, North Korea conducted several tests of new short-range missiles such as the KN-23, which experts said are designed to better evade missile defences.

This year, North Korea could seek to develop multiple reentry vehicles for large-diameter missiles like the Hwasong-15, Panda said.

"Adding more nuclear warheads to a single missile can better assure them of an ability to penetrate American missile defence and, if they're worried that their warheads might have reliability issues, more warheads increase the odds that one warhead will successfully detonate," he said.

North Korea often seems more focused on making a splash with new weapons rather than pragmatically building more of the weapons it already has, said Markus Schiller, a missile expert based in Europe who focuses on the way <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-discusses-strengthening-military-as-deadline-for-potential-us-concessions-approaches-269527">North Korea</a> has used outside help for its technology.

"This new stuff will again be something they have procured from somewhere else or some publicity event that our political scientists will interpret as a huge leap toward new technology," he said.

Schiller said one technology that could generate the buzz North Korea is looking for could be a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), which the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance defines as weapons that travel faster than Mach 5 (3,800mph/6,174kmh) and have the capability to manoeuvre during the entire flight.

"Perhaps they will display a design model of an HGV, or launch a KN-23 on top of a bigger missile and have it do some manoeuvring at reentry while claiming to have launched an HGV," Schiller said. "This way, they can save their limited resources, and play the same game they had over the past years."

If North Korea returns to long-range missile launches or other weapons tests in 2020, its military could make valuable technical advances and gain experience alongside whatever political message is sent to Washington.

If North Korea returns to long-range missile launches or other weapons tests in 2020, its military could make valuable technical advances and gain experience alongside whatever political message is sent to Washington. This week North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that the world would soon see his country's "new strategic weapon" and that there was no longer reason for Pyongyang to be bound by a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests. Kim's comments were the strongest indication that the North could resume some of the major tests it had suspended more than two years ago in the run-up to summit diplomacy with the United States. After years of development, the weapons programmes of North Korea are now advanced enough that it is hard to predict what it might test, said Jeffrey Lewis, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS). US military officials have said they see a long-range missile launch as one of the most likely possibilities. Other experts said North Korea could launch a satellite, deploy the new ballistic missile submarine it says it is developing, or field new domestically produced "transporter erector launcher" (TEL) vehicles for its largest missiles. "Any tests or drills they run will not only allow them to develop weapons that are faster, longer-range, or more reliable, but they also give the people operating these systems more exposure to and practice using and deploying the weapons," said Grace Liu, a research associate at CNS. Rocket engines In December, North Korea said it had carried out two important tests at its Sohae satellite launch site, aimed at developing "another strategic weapon" to counter nuclear threats from the United States. Although North Korean state media did not say exactly what was tested or what the new weapon might be, officials in Washington and Seoul said it appeared likely the North had tested rocket engines, possibly for ICBMs. "They might work toward developing better liquid-propellant engines or revisit older engines that they've had trouble with in the past," said Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the US-based Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Analysts also speculated that North Korea could be developing better solid rocket motors (SRMs), which can offer some benefits like easier storage and transportation. SRMs would also be important for North Korea's efforts to field an operational submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), similar to what was test-fired from a submerged barge in October. Watch: Fineprint — US vows action if North Korea provokes × "Every missile they've flight-tested in 2019 to date has used a solid rocket motor and they're clearly becoming more adept at casting these motors in different diameters," Panda said. "There are challenges associated with moving to ICBM-sized SRMs, but perhaps North Korea will demonstrate a breakthrough on that front." Reentry vehicles and nuclear warheads A warhead launched by an ICBM needs a protective reentry vehicle to help it survive the fiery descent through the atmosphere to hit its target. After the November 2017 launch of its largest ICBM to date, the Hwasong-15, state media said the test confirmed "the safety of a warhead in the atmospheric re-entry environment." US military officials later said North Korea had not demonstrated a survivable re-entry vehicle, though they did not discount the possibility. During North Korea's last ICBM tests in 2017, its scientists may have gleaned useful data on how their reentry vehicles worked, Panda said. However, the tests were conducted on a "lofted trajectory" high into space, potentially limiting the usefulness of some of the data, as the missile would take a much different trajectory during a war, he added. A final card North Korea could play is an atmospheric test of a nuclear warhead, though many analysts say that is unlikely, as it could anger Pyongyang's backers in Beijing and Moscow. But North Korea is believed to have continued producing material for nuclear weapons, and analysts said it is likely to continue stockpiling additional warheads while seeking to make them even smaller. Korea National Defense University's Jeong Han-beom said North Korea could use computer simulations to develop smaller and lighter warheads without new nuclear tests. Evading missile defences In 2019, North Korea conducted several tests of new short-range missiles such as the KN-23, which experts said are designed to better evade missile defences. This year, North Korea could seek to develop multiple reentry vehicles for large-diameter missiles like the Hwasong-15, Panda said. "Adding more nuclear warheads to a single missile can better assure them of an ability to penetrate American missile defence and, if they're worried that their warheads might have reliability issues, more warheads increase the odds that one warhead will successfully detonate," he said. North Korea often seems more focused on making a splash with new weapons rather than pragmatically building more of the weapons it already has, said Markus Schiller, a missile expert based in Europe who focuses on the way North Korea has used outside help for its technology. "This new stuff will again be something they have procured from somewhere else or some publicity event that our political scientists will interpret as a huge leap toward new technology," he said. Schiller said one technology that could generate the buzz North Korea is looking for could be a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), which the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance defines as weapons that travel faster than Mach 5 (3,800mph/6,174kmh) and have the capability to manoeuvre during the entire flight. "Perhaps they will display a design model of an HGV, or launch a KN-23 on top of a bigger missile and have it do some manoeuvring at reentry while claiming to have launched an HGV," Schiller said. "This way, they can save their limited resources, and play the same game they had over the past years."

World would soon see North Korea's 'new strategic weapon': Kim Jong Un

North&nbsp;Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new&nbsp;strategic&nbsp;weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left&nbsp;room&nbsp;for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for&nbsp;talks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-has-everything-to-lose-donald-trump-after-north-koreas-significant-test-267034">Kim&nbsp;Jong Un</a> presided over a four-day meeting of top Workers' Party officials this week amid rising tensions with the United States, which has not responded to his repeated calls for concessions to reopen negotiations. Washington has dismissed the deadline as artificial.

Kim&nbsp;said there were no grounds for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;to be bound any longer by a self-declared moratorium on testing nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), according to a statement on the results of the policy meeting carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Kim&nbsp;accused the United States of making "gangster-like demands" and maintaining a "hostile policy", including by holding continued joint military drills with South&nbsp;Korea, adopting cutting edge weapons and imposing sanctions.

He pledged to continue bolstering his country's nuclear deterrent but said the "scope and depth" of that deterrent will be "properly co-ordinated depending on" the attitude of the United States.

"The world will witness a new&nbsp;strategic&nbsp;weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future,"&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;said, using the initials for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea's official name the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-leaders-of-china-north-korea-watch-grand-performance-229137"> Democratic People's Republic of&nbsp;Korea</a>.

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"We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the US&nbsp;and guaranteeing our long-term security."

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it would be "deeply disappointing" if&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;reneges on denuclearisation commitments and&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;would hopefully "choose peace and prosperity over conflict and war."

In his latest comments on Tuesday in the United States, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a> said he had a good relationship with&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;and thought the&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean leader would keep his word.

There were no official reports as of noon on Wednesday in South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;that&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;had delivered an annual New Year's address.

Kim&nbsp;had previously said he might have to seek a "new path" if Washington failed to meet his expectations. US&nbsp;military commanders said Pyongyang's actions could include test-firing an ICBM alongside nuclear warhead tests.&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;last test-fired an ICBM in 2017.

Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, said it was difficult to predict&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea's next move. But it might involve firing a solid-fuel ICBM and an atmospheric nuclear test, he said.

Tension had been rising ahead of the year-end as&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;conducted a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

The nuclear&nbsp;talks&nbsp;have made little headway though&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;and Trump have met three times since 2018. Working-level&nbsp;talks&nbsp;in Stockholm in October fell apart, with a&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean chief negotiator accusing US&nbsp;officials of sticking to their old stance.

Kim&nbsp;said there will "never be denuclearisation on the&nbsp;Korean peninsula" if Washington adheres to what he calls its hostile policy.

We "will steadily develop necessary and prerequisite&nbsp;strategic&nbsp;weapons for the security of the state until the US&nbsp;rolls back its hostile policy towards the DPRK and lasting and durable peace-keeping mechanism is built,"&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;said.

He called for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Koreans to brace for an "arduous and prolonged struggle" and foster a self-reliant economy because of a delay in the anticipated lifting of sanctions.

"The present situation warning of long confrontation with the US&nbsp;urgently requires us to make it a fait accompli that we have to live under the sanctions by the hostile forces in the future, too, and to strengthen the internal power from all aspects."

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean Studies in Seoul, said the party assembly results made clear&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;wants US&nbsp;security guarantees before taking substantial action towards denuclearisation.

"And he is suggesting that he will take the bull by the horns to achieve that goal, while promoting self reliance at home and still being open to&nbsp;talks&nbsp;depending on how Trump handles 'hostile policy,'" Yang said.

North Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left room for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for talks.

North Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left room for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for talks. Kim Jong Un presided over a four-day meeting of top Workers' Party officials this week amid rising tensions with the United States, which has not responded to his repeated calls for concessions to reopen negotiations. Washington has dismissed the deadline as artificial. Kim said there were no grounds for North Korea to be bound any longer by a self-declared moratorium on testing nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), according to a statement on the results of the policy meeting carried by the official KCNA news agency. Kim accused the United States of making "gangster-like demands" and maintaining a "hostile policy", including by holding continued joint military drills with South Korea, adopting cutting edge weapons and imposing sanctions. He pledged to continue bolstering his country's nuclear deterrent but said the "scope and depth" of that deterrent will be "properly co-ordinated depending on" the attitude of the United States. "The world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future," Kim said, using the initials for North Korea's official name the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the US and guaranteeing our long-term security." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it would be "deeply disappointing" if Kim reneges on denuclearisation commitments and Kim would hopefully "choose peace and prosperity over conflict and war." In his latest comments on Tuesday in the United States, President Donald Trump said he had a good relationship with Kim and thought the North Korean leader would keep his word. There were no official reports as of noon on Wednesday in South Korea that Kim had delivered an annual New Year's address. Kim had previously said he might have to seek a "new path" if Washington failed to meet his expectations. US military commanders said Pyongyang's actions could include test-firing an ICBM alongside nuclear warhead tests. North Korea last test-fired an ICBM in 2017. Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, said it was difficult to predict North Korea's next move. But it might involve firing a solid-fuel ICBM and an atmospheric nuclear test, he said. Tension had been rising ahead of the year-end as North Korea conducted a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with US President Donald Trump. The nuclear talks have made little headway though Kim and Trump have met three times since 2018. Working-level talks in Stockholm in October fell apart, with a North Korean chief negotiator accusing US officials of sticking to their old stance. Kim said there will "never be denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula" if Washington adheres to what he calls its hostile policy. We "will steadily develop necessary and prerequisite strategic weapons for the security of the state until the US rolls back its hostile policy towards the DPRK and lasting and durable peace-keeping mechanism is built," Kim said. He called for North Koreans to brace for an "arduous and prolonged struggle" and foster a self-reliant economy because of a delay in the anticipated lifting of sanctions. "The present situation warning of long confrontation with the US urgently requires us to make it a fait accompli that we have to live under the sanctions by the hostile forces in the future, too, and to strengthen the internal power from all aspects." Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the party assembly results made clear Kim wants US security guarantees before taking substantial action towards denuclearisation. "And he is suggesting that he will take the bull by the horns to achieve that goal, while promoting self reliance at home and still being open to talks depending on how Trump handles 'hostile policy,'" Yang said.

North Korea threatens to resume nuclear testing, introduce 'new strategic weapon'

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trumps-attitude-towards-india-unpredictable-unreliable-238560">Donald Trump</a> on Tuesday said he believes North Korean leader<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kim-jong-un-calls-for-offensive-measures-as-nuclear-deadline-looms-271049"> Kim Jong Un</a> will stick to his commitments on denuclearization, even as the strongman threatened a "new strategic weapon."

"We did sign a contract, talking about denuclearization. That was the number one sentence, 'denuclearization', that was done in Singapore. I think he's a man of his word," a tuxedo-wearing Trump told reporters before heading into New Year festivities at his holiday retreat in Florida.

The president was referring to a 2018 historic summit he held with Kim in Singapore. The two adopted a vaguely worded statement on "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" and agreed to "establish new US-DPRK relations".

But the failure to reach an agreement over sanctions relief and what the North was willing to give up in return led to the collapse of the leaders' second summit in February in Hanoi.

The North had set a year-end deadline for Washington to offer fresh concessions on sanctions, but they failed to materialize.

On Wednesday, North Korea's state media reported that Kim had declared an end to moratoriums on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests and threatened a demonstration of a "new strategic weapon" soon.

In Florida Trump repeated his previous comments that he and Kim "like" each other and have a very good relationship.

"He is representing his country. We will do what we have to do," Trump said

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will stick to his commitments on denuclearization, even as the strongman threatened a "new strategic weapon.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will stick to his commitments on denuclearization, even as the strongman threatened a "new strategic weapon." "We did sign a contract, talking about denuclearization. That was the number one sentence, 'denuclearization', that was done in Singapore. I think he's a man of his word," a tuxedo-wearing Trump told reporters before heading into New Year festivities at his holiday retreat in Florida. The president was referring to a 2018 historic summit he held with Kim in Singapore. The two adopted a vaguely worded statement on "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" and agreed to "establish new US-DPRK relations". But the failure to reach an agreement over sanctions relief and what the North was willing to give up in return led to the collapse of the leaders' second summit in February in Hanoi. The North had set a year-end deadline for Washington to offer fresh concessions on sanctions, but they failed to materialize. On Wednesday, North Korea's state media reported that Kim had declared an end to moratoriums on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests and threatened a demonstration of a "new strategic weapon" soon. In Florida Trump repeated his previous comments that he and Kim "like" each other and have a very good relationship. "He is representing his country. We will do what we have to do," Trump said

Kim 'a man of his word' on denuclearisation: Donald Trump

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-calls-for-positive-offensive-measures-to-ensure-safety-270976">North Korea</a> has withdrawn its women's soccer team from the final round of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mary-kom-beats-challenger-in-trial-for-olympics-qualification-270761">2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers</a> being staged in South Korea in February, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has said.

The AFC said on Tuesday the North had sent a letter informing it of its withdrawal from the tournament and that global governing body FIFA was also aware of the decision.

The two Koreas remain technically at war after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-comments-hostile-and-unnecessary-us-envoy-stephen-biegun-268473">the Korean War</a> ended in a truce and not a peace treaty, and while there was a flurry of&nbsp;sports&nbsp;diplomacy between the neighbours last year ties have again cooled over stalled negotiations over the North's nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

"The AFC can confirm that DPR Korea Football Association sent an official letter to withdraw from the Women's Olympic Football Tournament 2020 Asian Qualifiers Final Round," the AFC said in an emailed statement.

The third round of group stage matches for the qualifying tournament will be held from February&nbsp;3-9 in South Korea and China.

North Korea were drawn in Group A alongside hosts South Korea, Vietnam and Myanmar. Australia are in Group B with hosts China, Taiwan and Thailand.

The top two teams from each group advance to a two-legged playoff in March. The two playoff winners will join Japan, who have already qualified by virtue of being hosts, at next year's Olympics in Tokyo.

Also Watch: Fineprint: US vows action if North Korea provokes

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North Korea has withdrawn its women's soccer team from the final round of 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers being staged in South Korea in February, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has said.

North Korea has withdrawn its women's soccer team from the final round of 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers being staged in South Korea in February, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has said. The AFC said on Tuesday the North had sent a letter informing it of its withdrawal from the tournament and that global governing body FIFA was also aware of the decision. The two Koreas remain technically at war after the Korean War ended in a truce and not a peace treaty, and while there was a flurry of sports diplomacy between the neighbours last year ties have again cooled over stalled negotiations over the North's nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. "The AFC can confirm that DPR Korea Football Association sent an official letter to withdraw from the Women's Olympic Football Tournament 2020 Asian Qualifiers Final Round," the AFC said in an emailed statement. The third round of group stage matches for the qualifying tournament will be held from February 3-9 in South Korea and China. North Korea were drawn in Group A alongside hosts South Korea, Vietnam and Myanmar. Australia are in Group B with hosts China, Taiwan and Thailand. The top two teams from each group advance to a two-legged playoff in March. The two playoff winners will join Japan, who have already qualified by virtue of being hosts, at next year's Olympics in Tokyo. Also Watch: Fineprint: US vows action if North Korea provokes ×

North Korea pulls out of women's football 2020 Olympic qualifier in South Korea

North Korean leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-calls-for-positive-offensive-measures-to-ensure-safety-270976">Kim&nbsp;Jong&nbsp;Un</a>&nbsp;called for "positive and offensive&nbsp;measures" to ensure the country's&nbsp;security&nbsp;before a year-end&nbsp;deadline&nbsp;he has set for denuclearization&nbsp;talks&nbsp;with the&nbsp;United States, state media KCNA said on Monday.

Kim&nbsp;convened a weekend meeting of top Workers' Party officials to discuss policy matters amid rising tension over his&nbsp;deadline&nbsp;for Washington to soften its stance in stalled negotiations aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;and missile programs.

At a Sunday session,&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;suggested action in the areas of foreign affairs, the munitions industry, and armed forces, stressing the need to take "positive and offensive&nbsp;measures&nbsp;for fully ensuring the sovereignty and&nbsp;security&nbsp;of the country," KCNA said, without elaborating.

The meeting was the largest plenary session of the party's 7th Central Committee since its first gathering in 2013&nbsp;under&nbsp;Kim, according to Seoul's&nbsp;Unification Ministry handling inter-Korean affairs.

&nbsp;

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The key policymaking organ drew several hundred attendees, state television showed on Monday. The committee also met in 2018 and in April but on a much smaller scale.

"By&nbsp;'positive&nbsp;and offensive&nbsp;measures,' they might mean highly provocative action against the&nbsp;United States and also South Korea," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the&nbsp;University of North Korean studies in Seoul.

KCNA said the meeting was still&nbsp;underway. It was the first time the gathering had lasted more than one day since&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;took power in late 2011, ministry spokesman Lee Sang-min told a regular briefing.

The&nbsp;United States was watching the end-of-year meeting closely and hoped North Korea would choose peace over confrontation, Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/mike-pompeo-attempts-us-reset-in-the-middle-east-191020">Mike Pompeo</a> said on Monday.

"We still maintain our view that we can find a path forward to convince the leadership in North Korea that their best course of action is to create a better opportunity for their people by getting rid of their&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;weapons," Pompeo told Fox News.

North Korea has urged Washington to offer a new approach to resume negotiations, warning that it may take an&nbsp;unspecified "new path" if the&nbsp;United States fails to meet its expectations.

US&nbsp;military commanders said the move could include the testing of a long-range missile, which North Korea has suspended since 2017, along with&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;warhead tests.

Washington would be "extraordinarily disappointed" if North Korea tests a long-range or&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;missile, White House national&nbsp;security&nbsp;adviser Robert O'Brien said on Sunday, vowing to take appropriate action as a leading military and economic power.

The&nbsp;United States had opened channels of communication with North Korea and hoped&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;would follow through on denuclearization commitments he made at summits with US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trumps-attitude-towards-india-unpredictable-unreliable-238560">Donald Trump</a>, O'Brien said.

A video released by the US&nbsp;Air Force and reviewed by Reuters on Monday showed a simulation of an Aegis destroyer spotting what appeared to be a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile being fired towards the Pacific over the skies of Japan, prompting the launch of ground interceptor missiles.

The 65-second clip was dated September and released on December&nbsp;2 on the website of the US&nbsp;Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

A South Korean military source said while it was largely a regular promotional video, its release coincided with heightened tensions amid a recent series of North Korean weapons tests and a war of words between Pyongyang and Washington.

<img alt="Kim Jong Un" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9edaaf7d-8f50-4620-9c68-372e2ce5f241" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2813%29_1.jpg" />

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North Korea's economy seemed to be another key item on the agenda for the second-day session, Yang said, with the economy hit by international sanctions over its weapons programs.

KCNA said&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;discussed state management and economic issues in line with his campaign to build an "independent economy."

Kim&nbsp;"presented the tasks for urgently correcting the grave situation of the major industrial sectors of the national economy," KCNA said.

In New York, US&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council members were scheduled to hold an informal meeting on Monday to contemplate a Russian and Chinese proposal to ease sanctions on North Korea.

Russia and China proposed a draft UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council resolution this month that would lift some sanctions in a bid to kick-start the denuclearization&nbsp;talks.

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the proposal was aimed at promoting the&nbsp;talks&nbsp;process and to "satisfy reasonable humanitarian and livelihood requirements" from North Korea.

"China hopes that when it comes to the peninsula issue,&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council members can assume their responsibilities and take proactive steps to support a political resolution," he told a daily news briefing.

The move is seen as an attempt to create a crack in a US-led global campaign to pressure North Korea to give up its weapons programmes amid lackluster progress in the negotiations.

Sanctions on industries that earned North Korea hundreds of millions of dollars a year were imposed in 2016 and 2017 to cut off funding for Pyongyang's weapons programs.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for "positive and offensive measures" to ensure the country's security before a year-end deadline he has set for denuclearization talks with the United States, state media KCNA said on Monday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for "positive and offensive measures" to ensure the country's security before a year-end deadline he has set for denuclearization talks with the United States, state media KCNA said on Monday. Kim convened a weekend meeting of top Workers' Party officials to discuss policy matters amid rising tension over his deadline for Washington to soften its stance in stalled negotiations aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. At a Sunday session, Kim suggested action in the areas of foreign affairs, the munitions industry, and armed forces, stressing the need to take "positive and offensive measures for fully ensuring the sovereignty and security of the country," KCNA said, without elaborating. The meeting was the largest plenary session of the party's 7th Central Committee since its first gathering in 2013 under Kim, according to Seoul's Unification Ministry handling inter-Korean affairs. The key policymaking organ drew several hundred attendees, state television showed on Monday. The committee also met in 2018 and in April but on a much smaller scale. "By 'positive and offensive measures,' they might mean highly provocative action against the United States and also South Korea," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean studies in Seoul. KCNA said the meeting was still underway. It was the first time the gathering had lasted more than one day since Kim took power in late 2011, ministry spokesman Lee Sang-min told a regular briefing. The United States was watching the end-of-year meeting closely and hoped North Korea would choose peace over confrontation, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday. "We still maintain our view that we can find a path forward to convince the leadership in North Korea that their best course of action is to create a better opportunity for their people by getting rid of their nuclear weapons," Pompeo told Fox News. North Korea has urged Washington to offer a new approach to resume negotiations, warning that it may take an unspecified "new path" if the United States fails to meet its expectations. US military commanders said the move could include the testing of a long-range missile, which North Korea has suspended since 2017, along with nuclear warhead tests. Washington would be "extraordinarily disappointed" if North Korea tests a long-range or nuclear missile, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on Sunday, vowing to take appropriate action as a leading military and economic power. The United States had opened channels of communication with North Korea and hoped Kim would follow through on denuclearization commitments he made at summits with US President Donald Trump, O'Brien said. A video released by the US Air Force and reviewed by Reuters on Monday showed a simulation of an Aegis destroyer spotting what appeared to be a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile being fired towards the Pacific over the skies of Japan, prompting the launch of ground interceptor missiles. The 65-second clip was dated September and released on December 2 on the website of the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. A South Korean military source said while it was largely a regular promotional video, its release coincided with heightened tensions amid a recent series of North Korean weapons tests and a war of words between Pyongyang and Washington. North Korea's economy seemed to be another key item on the agenda for the second-day session, Yang said, with the economy hit by international sanctions over its weapons programs. KCNA said Kim discussed state management and economic issues in line with his campaign to build an "independent economy." Kim "presented the tasks for urgently correcting the grave situation of the major industrial sectors of the national economy," KCNA said. In New York, US Security Council members were scheduled to hold an informal meeting on Monday to contemplate a Russian and Chinese proposal to ease sanctions on North Korea. Russia and China proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution this month that would lift some sanctions in a bid to kick-start the denuclearization talks. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the proposal was aimed at promoting the talks process and to "satisfy reasonable humanitarian and livelihood requirements" from North Korea. "China hopes that when it comes to the peninsula issue, Security Council members can assume their responsibilities and take proactive steps to support a political resolution," he told a daily news briefing. The move is seen as an attempt to create a crack in a US-led global campaign to pressure North Korea to give up its weapons programmes amid lackluster progress in the negotiations. Sanctions on industries that earned North Korea hundreds of millions of dollars a year were imposed in 2016 and 2017 to cut off funding for Pyongyang's weapons programs.

Kim Jong Un urges 'positive and offensive' security measures ahead of nuclear talks deadline

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/microsoft-increases-data-protection-responsibilities-for-european-union-262842">Microsoft&nbsp;</a>Corp said on Monday it has taken control of web domains which were used by a hacking group called "Thallium" to steal&nbsp;information.

Thallium is believed to be operating from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-of-retaliation-against-us-south-korea-military-drills-261949">North&nbsp;Korea</a>,&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;said in a blog post, and the&nbsp;hackers'&nbsp;targeted government employees, think tanks, university staff members and individuals working on nuclear proliferation issues, among others.

Most of the targets were based in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-china-trade-deal-may-not-be-signed-this-year-263497">United States</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/typhoon-hagibis-how-does-how-japan-survive-earthquakes-and-other-natural-calamities-255761">Japan</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-koreas-acquisition-of-us-f-35-fighter-aimed-at-opening-gate-to-invade-north-north-korea-state-media-234830">South&nbsp;Korea</a>, the company said.&nbsp;

Thallium tricked victims through a technique known as "spear-phishing", using credible-looking emails that appear legitimate at first glance.

Microsoft&nbsp;said it now has control of 50 web domains used by the group to conduct its operations, following a case filed against the hacking group in the US&nbsp;District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and a subsequent court order.

Thallium also used malware to compromise systems and steal data, and is the fourth nation-state group against which&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;has taken legal action, the company said.

Microsoft Corp said on Monday it has taken control of web domains which were used by a hacking group called "Thallium" to steal information. Thallium is believed to be operating from North Korea, Microsoft said in a blog post, and the hackers' targeted government employees, think tanks, university staff members and individuals working on nuclear proliferation issues, among others.

Microsoft Corp said on Monday it has taken control of web domains which were used by a hacking group called "Thallium" to steal information. Thallium is believed to be operating from North Korea, Microsoft said in a blog post, and the hackers' targeted government employees, think tanks, university staff members and individuals working on nuclear proliferation issues, among others. Most of the targets were based in the United States, as well as Japan and South Korea, the company said. Thallium tricked victims through a technique known as "spear-phishing", using credible-looking emails that appear legitimate at first glance. Microsoft said it now has control of 50 web domains used by the group to conduct its operations, following a case filed against the hacking group in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and a subsequent court order. Thallium also used malware to compromise systems and steal data, and is the fourth nation-state group against which Microsoft has taken legal action, the company said.

North Korea-linked hackers stole sensitive information: Microsoft

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for "positive and offensive measures" to ensure safety and warned of "grave economic conditions" during a meeting with officials even as the year-end deadline for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-promises-action-on-any-north-korea-missile-test-white-house-270890">denuclearisation neared</a> on Monday.

The meeting attended by top <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-holds-top-party-meeting-ahead-of-us-deadline-270787">North Korean officials</a> is taking place as the country battles international isolation over its nuclear programme.

Kim called for "decisive turn" in North Korea's economy, the state-media reported.

The high profile plenary session comes even as North Korea-US talks on denuclearisation talks remain stalled.

North Korea had earlier warned of a Christmas gift” for the United States referring to a possible missile test. US President hit back saying the United States would "deal with it very successfully."

"We'll find out what the surprise is and we'll deal with it very successfully," Trump said, adding,"We'll see what happens." Trump even suggested that it could be "nice present".&nbsp;

"Maybe it's a present where he sends me a beautiful vase as opposed to a missile test," the US president joked.

Meanwhile, North Korea's main ally China and Russia suggested to the UNSC to drop a few sanctions but it has met with a cold US response.

The White House said on Sunday said it would consider "other tools" beyond talks and diplomacy if North Korea went ahead with its missile tests.

White House national security advisor Robert O'Brien speaking to a US channel said that "additional pressure can be brought to bear on North Korea" through "tools in our toolkit" while terming North Korea's nuclear programme as "most difficult challenge in the world" of the Trump administration.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for "positive and offensive measures" to ensure safety and warned of "grave economic conditions" during a meeting with officials even as the year-end deadline for denuclearisation neared on Monday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for "positive and offensive measures" to ensure safety and warned of "grave economic conditions" during a meeting with officials even as the year-end deadline for denuclearisation neared on Monday. The meeting attended by top North Korean officials is taking place as the country battles international isolation over its nuclear programme. Kim called for "decisive turn" in North Korea's economy, the state-media reported. The high profile plenary session comes even as North Korea-US talks on denuclearisation talks remain stalled. North Korea had earlier warned of a Christmas gift” for the United States referring to a possible missile test. US President hit back saying the United States would "deal with it very successfully." "We'll find out what the surprise is and we'll deal with it very successfully," Trump said, adding,"We'll see what happens." Trump even suggested that it could be "nice present". "Maybe it's a present where he sends me a beautiful vase as opposed to a missile test," the US president joked. Meanwhile, North Korea's main ally China and Russia suggested to the UNSC to drop a few sanctions but it has met with a cold US response. The White House said on Sunday said it would consider "other tools" beyond talks and diplomacy if North Korea went ahead with its missile tests. White House national security advisor Robert O'Brien speaking to a US channel said that "additional pressure can be brought to bear on North Korea" through "tools in our toolkit" while terming North Korea's nuclear programme as "most difficult challenge in the world" of the Trump administration.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un calls for 'positive, offensive measures' to ensure safety

December 28 in history: From foundation of Indian National Congress to natural disasters of Messina

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for “positive and offensive measures” to ensure security at a ruling party meeting ahead of a year-end deadline. #KimJongUn #US #WIONFineprint #WION

Fineprint: U.S. vows action if North Korea provokes

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for “positive and offensive measures” to ensure security at a ruling party meeting ahead of a year-end deadline.

Kim Jong-un calls for 'offensive measures' as nuclear deadline looms

The United States would be very disappointed if <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-holds-top-party-meeting-ahead-of-us-deadline-270787">North Korea</a> tested a long-range or nuclear missile and would take appropriate action as a leading military and economic power, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on Sunday.

Washington has many "tools in its tool kit" to respond to any such test, O'Brien said in an interview with ABC's "This Week."

"We'll reserve judgment but the United States will take action as we do in these situations," he said. "If Kim Jong Un takes that approach we'll be extraordinarily disappointed and we'll demonstrate that disappointment."

North Korea has asked Washington to offer a new initiative to iron out differences over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. It warned Washington this month that failure to meet its expectations could result in an unwanted "Christmas gift."

US&nbsp;military commanders have said the North Korean move could involve the testing of a long-range missile - something North Korea has suspended, along with nuclear bomb tests, since 2017.

O'Brien said the United States and North Korea had open channels of communication but did not elaborate. He said Washington hoped North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would live up to his commitments to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

The United States was still the leading military power in the world and had tremendous economic power, said O'Brien. "There's a lot of pressure that we can bring to bear," he said.

North Korea threatened a Christmas surprise, despite the fact that Trump and Kim have engaged in personal diplomacy over the years and have a good personal relationship, O'Brien said.

"So perhaps he's reconsidered that," O'Brien added. "But we will have to wait and see. We're going to monitor it closely. It's a situation that concerns us, of course."

Kim convened a meeting of top ruling party officials on Saturday to discuss important policy matters ahead of the year-end deadline set by Kim for the United States, the state news agency said on Sunday.

Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat on the US&nbsp;Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said meetings between the two leaders have produced "very little" on denuclearization.

"So what I want to see, I want to see is the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, make a full declaration of his nuclear weapons program and make a real commitment to start to dismantle that," he said. "We haven’t seen any of that during the Trump administration."

The United States would be very disappointed if North Korea tested a long-range or nuclear missile and would take appropriate action as a leading military and economic power, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on Sunday.

The United States would be very disappointed if North Korea tested a long-range or nuclear missile and would take appropriate action as a leading military and economic power, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on Sunday. Washington has many "tools in its tool kit" to respond to any such test, O'Brien said in an interview with ABC's "This Week." "We'll reserve judgment but the United States will take action as we do in these situations," he said. "If Kim Jong Un takes that approach we'll be extraordinarily disappointed and we'll demonstrate that disappointment." North Korea has asked Washington to offer a new initiative to iron out differences over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. It warned Washington this month that failure to meet its expectations could result in an unwanted "Christmas gift." US military commanders have said the North Korean move could involve the testing of a long-range missile - something North Korea has suspended, along with nuclear bomb tests, since 2017. O'Brien said the United States and North Korea had open channels of communication but did not elaborate. He said Washington hoped North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would live up to his commitments to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. The United States was still the leading military power in the world and had tremendous economic power, said O'Brien. "There's a lot of pressure that we can bring to bear," he said. North Korea threatened a Christmas surprise, despite the fact that Trump and Kim have engaged in personal diplomacy over the years and have a good personal relationship, O'Brien said. "So perhaps he's reconsidered that," O'Brien added. "But we will have to wait and see. We're going to monitor it closely. It's a situation that concerns us, of course." Kim convened a meeting of top ruling party officials on Saturday to discuss important policy matters ahead of the year-end deadline set by Kim for the United States, the state news agency said on Sunday. Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said meetings between the two leaders have produced "very little" on denuclearization. "So what I want to see, I want to see is the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, make a full declaration of his nuclear weapons program and make a real commitment to start to dismantle that," he said. "We haven’t seen any of that during the Trump administration."

United States promises action on any North Korea missile test: White House

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a key meeting of top ruling party officials, state media said Sunday, ahead of a year-end deadline for Washington to shift its stance on stalled nuclear talks.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a key meeting of top ruling party officials, state media said Sunday, ahead of a year-end deadline for Washington to shift its stance on stalled nuclear talks. The plenary session, which opened on Saturday, follows widespread speculation that Pyongyang is preparing to test an intercontinental ballistic missile -- as a threatened "Christmas gift" for Washington. Kim presided over the meeting which discussed a new "transparent, anti-imperialist independent stand", the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The ruling Workers' Party of Korea will also "discuss important matters arising... in the building of the state and national defence", KCNA added. Talks on denuclearising the Korean peninsula have been largely deadlocked since the second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump collapsed in Hanoi at the start of this year. The opening of the plenary comes a week after Kim held a meeting of top defence officials and discussed boosting military capabilities, and ahead of the leader's New Year speech on January 1, a key political set-piece in the isolated country. Pyongyang has carried out a series of static tests at its Sohae rocket facility this month, after a number of weapons launches in recent weeks -- some of them described as ballistic missiles by Japan and others. North Korea is under heavy US and United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme, but it has been frustrated at the lack of relief after it declared a moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests. Russia and China -- North Korea's main ally -- have proposed easing sanctions in a bid to de-escalate tensions.

North Korea's Kim holds top party meeting ahead of US deadline

US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-schumer-outlines-documents-he-wants-for-impeachment-trial-269912">Donald Trump</a> said on Tuesday he had not&nbsp;yet&nbsp;bought a&nbsp;Christmas&nbsp;present for the first lady, just a day before the holiday that could bring a more <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-canadian-military-tracker-norad-eyes-santa-christmas-gift-from-north-korea-269861">ominous&nbsp;gift</a>&nbsp;from North Korea.

During a video teleconference with members of the US&nbsp;Armed Forces from his resort residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said in response to a question he picked out "a beautiful card" for first lady&nbsp;Melania&nbsp;Trump.

"I'm still working on a&nbsp;Christmas&nbsp;present. There's a little time left. Not too much, but a little time," he said.

Another holiday surprise may be on the president's mind.

Earlier this month, Pyongyang warned Washington of a possible "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-canadian-military-tracker-norad-eyes-santa-christmas-gift-from-north-korea-269861">Christmas&nbsp;gift</a>," after North Korean leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-discusses-strengthening-military-as-deadline-for-potential-us-concessions-approaches-269527">Kim Jong Un</a> gave the United States until year-end to propose new concessions in talks over his country's nuclear arsenal.

Many experts have speculated that the&nbsp;gift&nbsp;could refer to a long-range missile test. But Trump <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/well-deal-with-it-successfully-donald-trump-on-north-koreas-christmas-gift-threat-270065">brushed off concerns</a> as he spoke to reporters from his resort.

"We'll see what happens," he said. "Maybe it's a present where he sends me a beautiful vase as opposed to a missile test," he joked. "You never know."

This would not be the first time Trump has marked an important occasion with a card for the first lady.

When asked in April 2018 on television show "Fox and Friends" what he got his wife for her birthday, Trump said, "I better not get into that because I may get in trouble. Maybe I didn't get her so much." He added that he was very busy and got her a beautiful card and flowers.

Trump has visited the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-democrats-to-probe-into-pences-stay-at-trump-hotel-in-ireland-248189">Trump International Golf Course</a> each day after he arrived on Friday night, delivering remarks to young conservatives at an&nbsp;event on Saturday as well.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had not yet bought a Christmas present for the first lady, just a day before the holiday that could bring a more ominous gift from North Korea.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had not yet bought a Christmas present for the first lady, just a day before the holiday that could bring a more ominous gift from North Korea. During a video teleconference with members of the US Armed Forces from his resort residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said in response to a question he picked out "a beautiful card" for first lady Melania Trump. "I'm still working on a Christmas present. There's a little time left. Not too much, but a little time," he said. Another holiday surprise may be on the president's mind. Earlier this month, Pyongyang warned Washington of a possible "Christmas gift," after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave the United States until year-end to propose new concessions in talks over his country's nuclear arsenal. Many experts have speculated that the gift could refer to a long-range missile test. But Trump brushed off concerns as he spoke to reporters from his resort. "We'll see what happens," he said. "Maybe it's a present where he sends me a beautiful vase as opposed to a missile test," he joked. "You never know." This would not be the first time Trump has marked an important occasion with a card for the first lady. When asked in April 2018 on television show "Fox and Friends" what he got his wife for her birthday, Trump said, "I better not get into that because I may get in trouble. Maybe I didn't get her so much." He added that he was very busy and got her a beautiful card and flowers. Trump has visited the Trump International Golf Course each day after he arrived on Friday night, delivering remarks to young conservatives at an event on Saturday as well.

US President Donald Trump 'still working' on Christmas present for the First Lady

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