<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-heightened-us-china-tensions-science-suffers-collateral-damage-228220">China urged the United States</a> on Thursday to adopt an approach more conducive to dialogue in response to North Korea's goodwill in wanting to resume denuclearization talks, and again suggested United Nations sanctions relief be considered for Pyongyang.

North Korea said on Monday it was willing to restart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-pompeo-remark-would-make-talks-with-us-more-difficult-246778">nuclear talks with the United States</a> in late September but warned that dealings between the sides could end unless Washington takes a fresh approach.

However, only hours later North Korea fired a new round of short-range projectiles.

Speaking in Beijing, the Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, said China welcomed North Korea's recent "positive signals" on resuming talks with the United States.

"We would be glad to see North Korea and the United States resuming talks on schedule at the end of the month," Wang told a joint news conference with Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

Experience shows that for talks to achieve real progress, each side's core concerns must be addressed, Wang added.

"If there are only preconditions made for the other side, or lists drawn up, or even trying to use extreme pressure to get the other side to make unilateral concessions, then this didn't work in the past and it won't work now or in the future."

North Korea has so far this year taken a series of positive steps, and has asked the United States to meet them half way, he said.

"We hope that the US&nbsp;side can also take practical measures in this regard and make due efforts to ease the situation and promote dialogue."

Wang did not mention North Korea's recent weapons tests.

But he reiterated previous suggestions from China for sanctions relief for North Korea, though China has signed up the to onerous sanctions North Korea has endured for many years because of its nuclear and missile tests.

"We believe that the UN&nbsp;Security Council should in due course consider opening a discussion on the North Korea sanctions resolutions reversal clauses, to help North Korea alleviate the difficulties brought to the economy and people's livelihoods by the sanctions."

China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic backer, and Wang visited Pyongyang last week.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met at the demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas in June and agreed to restart working-level negotiations that had been stalled since an unsuccessful second summit between the two leaders in Vietnam in February.

Since the DMZ meeting, however, American officials said their attempts to resume talks had gone unanswered. North Korea has also conducted at least eight test launches since then, usually with multiple missiles each time.

China urged the United States on Thursday to adopt an approach more conducive to dialogue in response to North Korea's goodwill in wanting to resume denuclearization talks, and again suggested United Nations sanctions relief be considered for Pyongyang.

China urged the United States on Thursday to adopt an approach more conducive to dialogue in response to North Korea's goodwill in wanting to resume denuclearization talks, and again suggested United Nations sanctions relief be considered for Pyongyang. North Korea said on Monday it was willing to restart nuclear talks with the United States in late September but warned that dealings between the sides could end unless Washington takes a fresh approach. However, only hours later North Korea fired a new round of short-range projectiles. Speaking in Beijing, the Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, said China welcomed North Korea's recent "positive signals" on resuming talks with the United States. "We would be glad to see North Korea and the United States resuming talks on schedule at the end of the month," Wang told a joint news conference with Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah. Experience shows that for talks to achieve real progress, each side's core concerns must be addressed, Wang added. "If there are only preconditions made for the other side, or lists drawn up, or even trying to use extreme pressure to get the other side to make unilateral concessions, then this didn't work in the past and it won't work now or in the future." North Korea has so far this year taken a series of positive steps, and has asked the United States to meet them half way, he said. "We hope that the US side can also take practical measures in this regard and make due efforts to ease the situation and promote dialogue." Wang did not mention North Korea's recent weapons tests. But he reiterated previous suggestions from China for sanctions relief for North Korea, though China has signed up the to onerous sanctions North Korea has endured for many years because of its nuclear and missile tests. "We believe that the UN Security Council should in due course consider opening a discussion on the North Korea sanctions resolutions reversal clauses, to help North Korea alleviate the difficulties brought to the economy and people's livelihoods by the sanctions." China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic backer, and Wang visited Pyongyang last week. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met at the demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas in June and agreed to restart working-level negotiations that had been stalled since an unsuccessful second summit between the two leaders in Vietnam in February. Since the DMZ meeting, however, American officials said their attempts to resume talks had gone unanswered. North Korea has also conducted at least eight test launches since then, usually with multiple missiles each time.

Would be glad to see North Korea, US resuming talks on schedule: China

China urged the United States on Thursday to adopt an approach more conducive to dialogue in response to North Korea's goodwill in wanting to resume denuclearization talks, and again suggested United Nations sanctions relief be considered for Pyongyang.

North Korea said on Monday it was willing to restart nuclear talks with the United States in late September but warned that dealings between the sides could end unless Washington takes a fresh approach.

However, only hours later North Korea fired a new round of short-range projectiles.

Speaking in Beijing, the Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, said China welcomed North Korea's recent "positive signals" on resuming talks with the United States.

"We would be glad to see North Korea and the United States resuming talks on schedule at the end of the month," Wang told a joint news conference with Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

Experience shows that for talks to achieve real progress, each side's core concerns must be addressed, Wang added.

"If there are only preconditions made for the other side, or lists drawn up, or even trying to use extreme pressure to get the other side to make unilateral concessions, then this didn't work in the past and it won't work now or in the future."

North Korea has so far this year taken a series of positive steps, and has asked the United States to meet them half way, he said.

"We hope that the US&nbsp;side can also take practical measures in this regard and make due efforts to ease the situation and promote dialogue."

Wang did not mention North Korea's recent weapons tests.

But he reiterated previous suggestions from China for sanctions relief for North Korea, though China has signed up the to onerous sanctions North Korea has endured for many years because of its nuclear and missile tests.

"We believe that the UN&nbsp;Security Council should in due course consider opening a discussion on the North Korea sanctions resolutions reversal clauses, to help North Korea alleviate the difficulties brought to the economy and people's livelihoods by the sanctions."

China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic backer, and Wang visited Pyongyang last week.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met at the demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas in June and agreed to restart working-level negotiations that had been stalled since an unsuccessful second summit between the two leaders in Vietnam in February.

Since the DMZ meeting, however, American officials said their attempts to resume talks had gone unanswered. North Korea has also conducted at least eight test launches since then, usually with multiple missiles each time.

Having once branded John Bolton a "war maniac", North Korean officials could see US President Donald Trump's removal of his national security adviser as a chance to resume denuclearization talks without facing an unyielding hawk on the other side.

Having once branded John Bolton a "war maniac", North Korean officials could see US President Donald Trump's removal of his national security adviser as a chance to resume denuclearization talks without facing an unyielding hawk on the other side. In the past, Bolton has proposed using military force to overthrow the ruling Kim family and US officials have said Bolton was responsible for the collapse of Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's second summit in Vietnam in February. Trump announced he had fired Bolton a day after North Korea signaled a new willingness to resume stalled denuclearization talks with the United States, but then conducted the latest in a spate of missile launches. Policy analysts say Bolton's departure could help US efforts to revive the talks but will not make Washington's aim of persuading Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons any easier. "The timing could be convenient for US diplomacy with North Korea," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Seoul’s Ewha University. "Pyongyang made its disdain for Bolton well known. Kim Jong-un can spin this personnel change in Washington as a win in North Korean domestic politics. That would increase the likelihood of denuclearisation talks restarting soon." Harry Kazianis, a North Korea expert at Washington's Center for the National Interest think tank, said Trump was now free to find a national security adviser opposed to wars of regime change and willing to back a diplomatic track with North Korea. Indeed, Trump's North Korea envoy, Stephen Biegun, a firm advocate of engagement with Pyongyang, is among the names that have been floated as possible successors to Bolton. Bolton has not been the only target of North Korean rhetoric. North Korea's official media has repeatedly denounced US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and urged Trump to replace him with a "more mature" interlocutor. Last month it called Pompeo a "diehard toxin" who only complicated talks. Speaking after Bolton's departure, Pompeo said there were "many times" that they had disagreed, but countries should not expect changes in approach. "Someone asked, would the policy be different absent any individual being here," Pompeo said to reporters at the White House. "These have been the president’s policies. We give him our best wisdom, we share with him our understanding ... but I don’t think that any leader around the world should make any assumption that because some one of us departs that President Trump’s foreign policy will change in a material way," Pompeo said. Trump has received plaudits and criticisms for his willingness to engage Kim Jong-un directly in three meetings since June last year, the first between leaders of two countries that have remained in a technical state of hostilities since the 1950-53 Korean War. Little progress has been made in getting Kim to give up his weapons programmes, but Trump has repeatedly pointed to North Korea's freeze in nuclear and long-range missile tests since 2017 as evidence of the success of his efforts. All that nearly fell apart in Hanoi when Trump followed Bolton's advice and handed Kim a piece of paper that bluntly called for the transfer of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and bomb fuel to the United States. The document effectively reprised Bolton's long-held and hard-line "Libya model" of unilateral denuclearization that North Korea has repeatedly rejected and analysts said would have been seen by Kim as insulting and provocative. While North Korea has said it is willing to resume talks, Kim has given a year-end deadline for Washington to take a new approach. Regardless of Bolton's departure, Washington has given no indication that it will soften its demand for North Korea's ultimate denuclearization, even though with Bolton gone, the risky all-or-nothing gambit is unlikely to be repeated. "Bolton may not be loved by everyone but surely was a bulwark against a half-baked nuclear deal with North Korea, knowing very well about its negotiating tactics," said Kim Hong-kyun, a former South Korean nuclear envoy. "Now that he’s gone, just at a time when the two countries are talking about restarting working-level talks, North Korea would try to make various attempts and use tricks to turn things to their advantage, seeing this as a chance to score points without defense from the other side." South Korea's presidential office declined to comment on Bolton's departure.

North Korea could warm up to talks after removal of 'war maniac' Bolton

North Korea has fired another round of unidentified projectiles in the sea of Japan. Watch this video to know more.

North Korea fires unidentified projectiles

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles on Tuesday morning, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, hours after a senior diplomat announced Pyongyang would be willing to resume negotiations with the United States later in September.

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles on Tuesday morning, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, hours after a senior diplomat announced Pyongyang would be willing to resume negotiations with the United States later in September. The "short-range projectiles" were launched from around Kaechon in South Pyongan province at around 7:00 am KST (2200 GMT Monday) towards the east and flew about 330 km (205 miles), the JCS said in a statement. The launches came after North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said on Monday Pyongyang was willing to have "comprehensive discussions" with the United States in late September at a time and place to be agreed. Tuesday's launch was the eighth by North Korea since U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met at the heavily militarised border between the two Koreas in June. Trump and Kim agreed then to restart working-level negotiations for denuclearisation talks that had stalled since an unsuccessful second summit between Trump and Kim in Hanoi in February. A senior Trump administration official said: "We are aware of reports of projectiles launched from North Korea. We are continuing to monitor the situation and consulting closely with our allies in the region." Another U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said initial information indicated North Korea had launched two projectiles that appeared to be short range. North Korea has previously said its development of new weapons is to counter military threats and offensive pressures against its own security. However, analysts say the string of launches highlight how North Korea has been able to further develop its military capabilities in the absence of any concrete agreement with the United States. Many of the latest missiles launched by North Korea appear to be new types designed to evade interception by U.S., South Korean and Japanese missile defence systems. A Japanese defence ministry official said on Tuesday there was no confirmation of any ballistic missile entering Japan's territory or exclusive economic zone and that there was no immediate threat to national security. South Korea expressed "strong concern" over North Korea's continued short-range launches since May, and checked the overall military and security situation on the peninsula at a national security council meeting called to discuss the latest launch, the presidential office said in a statement.

North Korea offers talks then launches more short-range projectiles

Eritrea is the world's worst country for press censorship, a media watchdog said Tuesday in a report which also cites extreme measures in nine other countries including North Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia.

Under the three worst regimes Eritrea, North Korea, and Turkmenistan the media "serves as a mouthpiece of the state, and any independent journalism is conducted from exile," said a report by the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists.

Other countries on the list of the 10 worst regimes for media "use a combination of blunt tactics like harassment and arbitrary detention as well as sophisticated surveillance and targeted hacking to silence the independent press," the report said.

Saudi Arabia, China, Vietnam, and Iran were cited for "jailing and harassing journalists and their families, while also engaging in digital monitoring and censorship of the internet and social media," the group said.

The rankings were based on factors including restrictions on privately owned or independent media; criminal defamation laws; restrictions on the dissemination of false news; blocking of websites; surveillance of journalists by authorities; license requirements for media; and targeted hacking or trolling.

"The internet was supposed to make censorship obsolete, but that hasn’t happened," said CPJ executive director Joel Simon.

"Many of the world's most censored countries are highly wired, with active online communities. These governments combine old-style brutality with new technology, often purchased from Western companies, to stifle dissent and control the media."

The report covers 10 countries where the government tightly controls the media, including Equatorial Guinea, Belarus, and Cuba.

It noted that in other countries including war-ravaged nations such as Syria, Yemen, and Somalia, conditions for the media are "extremely difficult, but not necessarily attributable solely to government censorship."

In Eritrea, the report noted, the state retains a legal monopoly of broadcast media and journalists&nbsp;alternative sources of information, such as the internet or satellite broadcasts of radio stations in exile, are restricted via government-controlled internet services.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has stepped up the use of radio signal blockers and advanced radio detection equipment to prevent people from sharing information, CPJ said.

The group said Saudi Arabia's already-repressive environment for the press has "suffered sharp deterioration" under de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the report.

China has the most sophisticated censorship apparatus, according to CPJ, which noted that Chinese internet users are blocked by the "Great Firewall" and that authorities monitor domestic social media networks and conduct surveillance of international journalists.

Eritrea is the world's worst country for press censorship, a media watchdog said Tuesday in a report which also cites extreme measures in nine other countries including North Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia.

Eritrea is the world's worst country for press censorship, a media watchdog said Tuesday in a report which also cites extreme measures in nine other countries including North Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia. Under the three worst regimes Eritrea, North Korea, and Turkmenistan the media "serves as a mouthpiece of the state, and any independent journalism is conducted from exile," said a report by the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Other countries on the list of the 10 worst regimes for media "use a combination of blunt tactics like harassment and arbitrary detention as well as sophisticated surveillance and targeted hacking to silence the independent press," the report said. Saudi Arabia, China, Vietnam, and Iran were cited for "jailing and harassing journalists and their families, while also engaging in digital monitoring and censorship of the internet and social media," the group said. The rankings were based on factors including restrictions on privately owned or independent media; criminal defamation laws; restrictions on the dissemination of false news; blocking of websites; surveillance of journalists by authorities; license requirements for media; and targeted hacking or trolling. "The internet was supposed to make censorship obsolete, but that hasn’t happened," said CPJ executive director Joel Simon. "Many of the world's most censored countries are highly wired, with active online communities. These governments combine old-style brutality with new technology, often purchased from Western companies, to stifle dissent and control the media." The report covers 10 countries where the government tightly controls the media, including Equatorial Guinea, Belarus, and Cuba. It noted that in other countries including war-ravaged nations such as Syria, Yemen, and Somalia, conditions for the media are "extremely difficult, but not necessarily attributable solely to government censorship." In Eritrea, the report noted, the state retains a legal monopoly of broadcast media and journalists alternative sources of information, such as the internet or satellite broadcasts of radio stations in exile, are restricted via government-controlled internet services. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has stepped up the use of radio signal blockers and advanced radio detection equipment to prevent people from sharing information, CPJ said. The group said Saudi Arabia's already-repressive environment for the press has "suffered sharp deterioration" under de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the report. China has the most sophisticated censorship apparatus, according to CPJ, which noted that Chinese internet users are blocked by the "Great Firewall" and that authorities monitor domestic social media networks and conduct surveillance of international journalists.

10 countries cited for extreme media censorship: watchdog

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has berated officials for their "easygoing" attitude to the approach of Typhoon Lingling, state media reported.

The powerful storm is expected to make landfall in the North on Saturday afternoon after passing off the coast of South Korea, according to Seoul's Korea Meteorological Association.

Kim convened an emergency meeting on Friday and said "dangerous circumstances" caused by the typhoon were "imminent", but that many in positions of authority were ill-prepared, the North's KCNA news service reported later that day.

Officials in the North "remain unchanged in their attitude and helpless against the typhoon, unaware of its seriousness and seized with the easygoing sentiment", Kim said during the meeting, according to the KCNA report.

In South Korea, more than 270 flights were cancelled and power outages in over 30,000 homes have been reported, while public parks and zoos were closed for the weekend after heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday.

Seoul's weather authorities also warned of landslides and flooding and advised the public to stay indoors.

Kim said efforts to minimise damage from the typhoon in North Korea would be an "enormous struggle", adding that its army should "remain loyal to its sacred duty" of ensuring its citizens' safety.

The impoverished and isolated North is vulnerable to natural disasters, especially floods, due in part to deforestation and poor infrastructure.

At least 138 North Koreans were known to have died after torrential rain triggered major floods in 2016, the United Nations said at the time.

More than 160 people were killed by a massive rainstorm in the summer of 2012.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has berated officials for their "easygoing" attitude to the approach of Typhoon Lingling, state media reported. The powerful storm is expected to make landfall in the North on Saturday afternoon after passing off the coast of South Korea, according to Seoul's Korea Meteorological Association.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has berated officials for their "easygoing" attitude to the approach of Typhoon Lingling, state media reported. The powerful storm is expected to make landfall in the North on Saturday afternoon after passing off the coast of South Korea, according to Seoul's Korea Meteorological Association. Kim convened an emergency meeting on Friday and said "dangerous circumstances" caused by the typhoon were "imminent", but that many in positions of authority were ill-prepared, the North's KCNA news service reported later that day. Officials in the North "remain unchanged in their attitude and helpless against the typhoon, unaware of its seriousness and seized with the easygoing sentiment", Kim said during the meeting, according to the KCNA report. In South Korea, more than 270 flights were cancelled and power outages in over 30,000 homes have been reported, while public parks and zoos were closed for the weekend after heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday. Seoul's weather authorities also warned of landslides and flooding and advised the public to stay indoors. Kim said efforts to minimise damage from the typhoon in North Korea would be an "enormous struggle", adding that its army should "remain loyal to its sacred duty" of ensuring its citizens' safety. The impoverished and isolated North is vulnerable to natural disasters, especially floods, due in part to deforestation and poor infrastructure. At least 138 North Koreans were known to have died after torrential rain triggered major floods in 2016, the United Nations said at the time. More than 160 people were killed by a massive rainstorm in the summer of 2012.

North Korean leader berates officials over typhoon Lingling preparation

North Korean state media said Sunday five people had been killed in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-berates-officials-over-typhoon-prep-248232">powerful typhoon</a> that destroyed farmland and damaged hundreds of buildings.

Typhoon Lingling, called Typhoon-13 in North Korea, hit the reclusive nuclear-armed state on Saturday afternoon, reported the official KCNA news service.

The impoverished and isolated country is vulnerable to natural disasters, especially floods, due in part to deforestation and poor infrastructure.

"According to data available from the State Emergency Disaster Committee, five persons were dead and three persons injured. The injured persons are now under treatment at hospitals," KCNA said.

More than 460 houses and at least a dozen public buildings were "completely or partly destroyed or inundated" by the typhoon, it said.

Crops were wiped out or damaged in 46,000 hectares (110,000 acres) of farmland -- roughly the area of the small European country of Andorra -- the report said, adding that recovery efforts were underway.

It came after South Korea's disaster agency reported three deaths caused by the same typhoon, according to Yonhap news agency.

On Saturday, KCNA reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had berated officials for their "easygoing" attitude to the approaching storm.

According to that dispatch, Kim had convened an emergency meeting on Friday and said "dangerous circumstances" caused by the typhoon were "imminent", but that many in positions of authority were ill-prepared. 
&nbsp;

North Korean state media said Sunday five people had been killed in a powerful typhoon that destroyed farmland and damaged hundreds of buildings. Typhoon Lingling, called Typhoon-13 in North Korea, hit the reclusive nuclear-armed state on Saturday afternoon, reported the official KCNA news service.

North Korean state media said Sunday five people had been killed in a powerful typhoon that destroyed farmland and damaged hundreds of buildings. Typhoon Lingling, called Typhoon-13 in North Korea, hit the reclusive nuclear-armed state on Saturday afternoon, reported the official KCNA news service. The impoverished and isolated country is vulnerable to natural disasters, especially floods, due in part to deforestation and poor infrastructure. "According to data available from the State Emergency Disaster Committee, five persons were dead and three persons injured. The injured persons are now under treatment at hospitals," KCNA said. More than 460 houses and at least a dozen public buildings were "completely or partly destroyed or inundated" by the typhoon, it said. Crops were wiped out or damaged in 46,000 hectares (110,000 acres) of farmland -- roughly the area of the small European country of Andorra -- the report said, adding that recovery efforts were underway. It came after South Korea's disaster agency reported three deaths caused by the same typhoon, according to Yonhap news agency. On Saturday, KCNA reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had berated officials for their "easygoing" attitude to the approaching storm. According to that dispatch, Kim had convened an emergency meeting on Friday and said "dangerous circumstances" caused by the typhoon were "imminent", but that many in positions of authority were ill-prepared.

North Korea reports five deaths, damage in typhoon Lingling

Models Sport Traditional Dresses In A Rare Fashion Show In North Korea North Korea is a closed country. The country continues to resist influences from the western countries. In a rare act, North Korea recently hosted a fashion show. Here's how a fashion show looks like in North Korea.

Gravitas: North Korea hosts a fashion show

North Korea is pressing ahead with its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-denies-it-amassed-2-billion-through-cyberattacks-on-banks-247021">nuclear weapons programme</a> while evading sanctions, a United Nations report said, following a series of recent test-launches that have been downplayed by US President Donald Trump.

The reclusive regime has declared a moratorium on nuclear blasts and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-hits-out-at-mike-pompeo-warns-hopes-for-us-talks-disappearing-246829"> long-range missile launches</a>, and last year said its Punggye-ri atomic bomb test site would be dismantled as it was no longer needed.

But the report by a panel of experts, published Thursday, said that despite these moves, Pyongyang's development of nuclear warheads had not stopped.

"The nuclear programme of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea continues to operate, notwithstanding the absence of nuclear testing and the closure of the test site at Punggye-ri," it said.

Trump has embarked on months of personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un&nbsp;in a so-far unsuccessful effort to persuade him to give up his atomic arsenal.

Talks between the two nations have been gridlocked for months since a second summit between the pair collapsed without an agreement in Hanoi in February.

One of the sticking points in the Vietnamese capital was the future of North Korea's decades-old Yongbyon nuclear complex, which has long been at the heart of its atomic programme but remains shrouded in secrecy.

One UN member state "assessed that the Yongbyon uranium enrichment facility continues to operate" between early February and early August, the report said.

In that period there was no sign Yongbyon's main reactor had been operated, it added, but "the construction of the light-water reactor continues" while "occasional activity was observed at the radiochemical laboratory", possibly for maintenance.

- Sanctions evasion - 
Trump often points to the absence of the North's nuclear testing and long-range missile firing since late 2017 as one of his diplomatic achievements.

But North Korea has launched multiple rounds of short-range missile tests in recent weeks -- actions the US president has described as "standard", saying he has "no problem" with them.

With its recent weapons tests, North Korea has demonstrated it can "master key components of ballistic missile systems, including solid-rocket fuel production... and the capacity to penetrate ballistic missile defence systems", the UN report said, citing an opinion of a member state.

North Korea is under heavy US and UN sanctions over its nuclear programme.

The UN panel said it had received assessments from member states indicating Pyongyang had breached an annual cap of 500,000 barrels of refined petroleum through "unabated" ship-to-ship transfers in the first four months of this year.

Trump and Kim agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting at the Demilitarised Zone dividing North and South Korea in June, but those talks have yet to begin.

Pyongyang has not responded to US calls to come to the table and warned last week its expectations for nuclear talks with Washington were "disappearing".

North Korea is pressing ahead with its nuclear weapons programme while evading sanctions, a United Nations report said, following a series of recent test-launches that have been downplayed by US President Donald Trump.

North Korea is pressing ahead with its nuclear weapons programme while evading sanctions, a United Nations report said, following a series of recent test-launches that have been downplayed by US President Donald Trump. The reclusive regime has declared a moratorium on nuclear blasts and long-range missile launches, and last year said its Punggye-ri atomic bomb test site would be dismantled as it was no longer needed. But the report by a panel of experts, published Thursday, said that despite these moves, Pyongyang's development of nuclear warheads had not stopped. "The nuclear programme of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea continues to operate, notwithstanding the absence of nuclear testing and the closure of the test site at Punggye-ri," it said. Trump has embarked on months of personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a so-far unsuccessful effort to persuade him to give up his atomic arsenal. Talks between the two nations have been gridlocked for months since a second summit between the pair collapsed without an agreement in Hanoi in February. One of the sticking points in the Vietnamese capital was the future of North Korea's decades-old Yongbyon nuclear complex, which has long been at the heart of its atomic programme but remains shrouded in secrecy. One UN member state "assessed that the Yongbyon uranium enrichment facility continues to operate" between early February and early August, the report said. In that period there was no sign Yongbyon's main reactor had been operated, it added, but "the construction of the light-water reactor continues" while "occasional activity was observed at the radiochemical laboratory", possibly for maintenance. - Sanctions evasion - Trump often points to the absence of the North's nuclear testing and long-range missile firing since late 2017 as one of his diplomatic achievements. But North Korea has launched multiple rounds of short-range missile tests in recent weeks -- actions the US president has described as "standard", saying he has "no problem" with them. With its recent weapons tests, North Korea has demonstrated it can "master key components of ballistic missile systems, including solid-rocket fuel production... and the capacity to penetrate ballistic missile defence systems", the UN report said, citing an opinion of a member state. North Korea is under heavy US and UN sanctions over its nuclear programme. The UN panel said it had received assessments from member states indicating Pyongyang had breached an annual cap of 500,000 barrels of refined petroleum through "unabated" ship-to-ship transfers in the first four months of this year. Trump and Kim agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting at the Demilitarised Zone dividing North and South Korea in June, but those talks have yet to begin. Pyongyang has not responded to US calls to come to the table and warned last week its expectations for nuclear talks with Washington were "disappearing".

North Korea's nuclear programme continues to operate: UN

North Korea has told the United Nations to cut the number of international staff it deploys in the country because the world body's programs have failed "due to the politicisation of UN assistance by hostile forces," according to a letter seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The United Nations estimates 10.3 million people - almost half the country's population - are in need and some 41 per cent of North Koreans are undernourished, while Pyongyang said in February it was facing a food shortfall this year and had to halve rations, blaming drought, floods and sanctions.

"UN supported programs failed to bring the results as desired due to the politicization of UN assistance by hostile forces," Kim Chang Min, secretary-general for North Korea's National Coordinating Committee for the United Nations, wrote to the top UN official posted in the country.

In the Aug. 21 letter, Kim said the number of international staff should be cut by the end of the year.

North Korea wants the number of international staff with the UN Development Programme to be cut to one or two from six, the World Health Organization to four from six and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to cut its 13 staff by one or two.

Kim said the number of international staff with the World Food Programme should be reduced "according to the amount of food aid to be provided" once the agency and North Korean agree how to implement a plan for 2019 to 2021.

There was also no need for a humanitarian aid coordination officer, Kim wrote, adding that UN aid officials could instead "visit as and when required."

The United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Historically there's been a critical lack of international expertise and oversight and capacity to monitor the use of the assistance that is provided," said a UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We're deeply surprised by this turn of events in part because this is when the needs have grown and the UN has been trying to mobilise support to scale up assistance in-country," the diplomat said.

The move comes amid stalled talks between the United States and North Korea aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. The UN Security Council has unanimously ratcheted up sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for those programs.

"The North Korean government's decisions are only hurting the North Korean people," said a second UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"This is coming at a time where both Russia and China are pushing a false narrative that sanctions are causing the humanitarian problems in North Korea and the only way to solve that is to give North Korea sanctions relief," the diplomat said.

Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told reporters on Tuesday that unilateral sanctions imposed on North Korea by other countries and some strict interpretations of UN sanctions were hindering humanitarian work.

"The population of North Korea should not suffer under those sanctions that have been imposed illegitimately," he said.

North Korea has told the United Nations to cut the number of international staff it deploys in the country because the world body's programs have failed "due to the politicisation of UN assistance by hostile forces," according to a letter seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

North Korea has told the United Nations to cut the number of international staff it deploys in the country because the world body's programs have failed "due to the politicisation of UN assistance by hostile forces," according to a letter seen by Reuters on Wednesday. The United Nations estimates 10.3 million people - almost half the country's population - are in need and some 41 per cent of North Koreans are undernourished, while Pyongyang said in February it was facing a food shortfall this year and had to halve rations, blaming drought, floods and sanctions. "UN supported programs failed to bring the results as desired due to the politicization of UN assistance by hostile forces," Kim Chang Min, secretary-general for North Korea's National Coordinating Committee for the United Nations, wrote to the top UN official posted in the country. In the Aug. 21 letter, Kim said the number of international staff should be cut by the end of the year. North Korea wants the number of international staff with the UN Development Programme to be cut to one or two from six, the World Health Organization to four from six and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to cut its 13 staff by one or two. Kim said the number of international staff with the World Food Programme should be reduced "according to the amount of food aid to be provided" once the agency and North Korean agree how to implement a plan for 2019 to 2021. There was also no need for a humanitarian aid coordination officer, Kim wrote, adding that UN aid officials could instead "visit as and when required." The United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Historically there's been a critical lack of international expertise and oversight and capacity to monitor the use of the assistance that is provided," said a UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We're deeply surprised by this turn of events in part because this is when the needs have grown and the UN has been trying to mobilise support to scale up assistance in-country," the diplomat said. The move comes amid stalled talks between the United States and North Korea aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. The UN Security Council has unanimously ratcheted up sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for those programs. "The North Korean government's decisions are only hurting the North Korean people," said a second UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "This is coming at a time where both Russia and China are pushing a false narrative that sanctions are causing the humanitarian problems in North Korea and the only way to solve that is to give North Korea sanctions relief," the diplomat said. Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told reporters on Tuesday that unilateral sanctions imposed on North Korea by other countries and some strict interpretations of UN sanctions were hindering humanitarian work. "The population of North Korea should not suffer under those sanctions that have been imposed illegitimately," he said.

North Korea tells United Nations to cut international aid staff: Letter

A group of North Korean waitresses who "defected" to Seoul in 2016 were actually abducted by the South, a fact-finding team of international lawyers has concluded after a visit to Pyongyang.

The case has long been controversial, with Pyongyang saying the 12 women were kidnapped from a North Korean state-run restaurant in China while Seoul insists they defected of their own free will.

During their six-day stay in the North Korean capital, which ends Thursday, the lawyers said they spoke to seven former waitresses who claimed they managed to escape while their colleagues were tricked into coming to Seoul.

The seven North Korean women said they were able to escape -- and eventually return to the North -- only because their team leader overheard a conversation between the restaurant's manager and a representative of the South Korean intelligence service, who had come to take them to the airport.

While they escaped, the 12 other waitresses had already left without knowing they were being taken to South Korea, the joint fact-finding committee of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers said in a statement.

The 12 women were "taken away by deception ... against their will, separated from their families and country", it said after taking evidence from their seven colleagues.

"This constitutes the criminal offence of abduction."

At a briefing in Pyongyang on Wednesday, one of the lawyers slammed the Seoul government for its handling of the case.

The team had received "full cooperation" from the North but were not allowed to meet the 12 North Korean women who are currently in the South, said Niloufer Bhagwat, vice president of the Confederation of Lawyers of Asia and the Pacific.

"The young women ... are still being monitored by the South Korean intelligence service and the national police agency," she said.

"(Seoul authorities) did not want to reveal that some of the young women had approached them for help for assistance. The reason they did not want to reveal is that... they are not concerned with the violations of human rights by the government of South Korea."

In a bombshell revelation last year, the manager of the restaurant where the waitresses worked said he had lied to them about their final destination and blackmailed them into following him to the South.

Heo Gang-il told the South's JTBC television that he had been recruited by Seoul's National Intelligence Service (NIS) in China in 2014.

The South's National Human Rights Commission has since completed a probe into the case but is yet to release its findings.

The lawyers said they would finalise a final report on their findings following their trip to Pyongyang in late September and report to the United Nations.

A group of North Korean waitresses who "defected" to Seoul in 2016 were actually abducted by the South, a fact-finding team of international lawyers has concluded after a visit to Pyongyang.

A group of North Korean waitresses who "defected" to Seoul in 2016 were actually abducted by the South, a fact-finding team of international lawyers has concluded after a visit to Pyongyang. The case has long been controversial, with Pyongyang saying the 12 women were kidnapped from a North Korean state-run restaurant in China while Seoul insists they defected of their own free will. During their six-day stay in the North Korean capital, which ends Thursday, the lawyers said they spoke to seven former waitresses who claimed they managed to escape while their colleagues were tricked into coming to Seoul. The seven North Korean women said they were able to escape -- and eventually return to the North -- only because their team leader overheard a conversation between the restaurant's manager and a representative of the South Korean intelligence service, who had come to take them to the airport. While they escaped, the 12 other waitresses had already left without knowing they were being taken to South Korea, the joint fact-finding committee of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers said in a statement. The 12 women were "taken away by deception ... against their will, separated from their families and country", it said after taking evidence from their seven colleagues. "This constitutes the criminal offence of abduction." At a briefing in Pyongyang on Wednesday, one of the lawyers slammed the Seoul government for its handling of the case. The team had received "full cooperation" from the North but were not allowed to meet the 12 North Korean women who are currently in the South, said Niloufer Bhagwat, vice president of the Confederation of Lawyers of Asia and the Pacific. "The young women ... are still being monitored by the South Korean intelligence service and the national police agency," she said. "(Seoul authorities) did not want to reveal that some of the young women had approached them for help for assistance. The reason they did not want to reveal is that... they are not concerned with the violations of human rights by the government of South Korea." In a bombshell revelation last year, the manager of the restaurant where the waitresses worked said he had lied to them about their final destination and blackmailed them into following him to the South. Heo Gang-il told the South's JTBC television that he had been recruited by Seoul's National Intelligence Service (NIS) in China in 2014. The South's National Human Rights Commission has since completed a probe into the case but is yet to release its findings. The lawyers said they would finalise a final report on their findings following their trip to Pyongyang in late September and report to the United Nations.

'Defecting' North Korean waitresses abducted to South: Lawyers

China reasserted its backing for North Korea on Tuesday as its foreign minister visited Pyongyang, vowing to maintain "close communication" with its longstanding ally in the face of deadlocked nuclear talks with Washington.

Beijing has long been North Korea's key diplomatic backer and main provider of trade and aid, and while ties deteriorated over Pyongyang's nuclear provocations and China's subsequent backing of UN sanctions, the two have since worked to repair their relationship.

Since March 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have met five times, with Xi seeking to weigh in on Pyongyang's diplomacy with Washington.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi arrived in Pyongyang on a three-day trip on Monday, just two months after Xi became the first Chinese leader to visit the North in 14 years.

Wang told his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong Ho that Beijing was ready "to promote... close communication and cooperation on the international stage", China's foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Reflecting on their 70 years of alliance, Wang noted that Beijing and Pyongyang have "always been in the same boat and moving forward side by side", it said in a statement.

Ri said that North Korea is willing to work with China to "promote greater development" of their relations in the "new era", according to the document.

Pyongyang and Washington are engaged in a long-running diplomatic process over the North's nuclear programmes although little progress has been made.

Those talks have been deadlocked after a second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump collapsed in Hanoi in February with the two unable to reach a deal on sanctions relief and what the North might give up in return.

They agree to restart talks at an impromptu meeting in the Demilitarized Zone in June, but that working-level dialogue has yet to begin.

China always prefers stability in its neighbourhood and officially supports talks between the North and the US.

But Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said Wang's visit "will raise concerns about their coordinating economic cooperation despite UN sanctions".

"Beijing and Pyongyang may also strategise how to exploit widening divisions between Seoul and Tokyo and how to play the US election cycle," he added, but stressed that North Korea wanted to avoid over-reliance on China.

"Despite signs of camaraderie, Kim isn't choosing sides, he's playing everyone off each other," he said.

Beijing sent millions of troops known as "Chinese People's Volunteers" to save the North from defeat during the Korean War, and Mao Zedong described their relations as "close as lips and teeth".

Nowadays Beijing sees the North as a strategic buffer, preventing the possibility of US troops on its borders -- 28,500 are stationed in South Korea.

China reasserted its backing for North Korea on Tuesday as its foreign minister visited Pyongyang, vowing to maintain "close communication" with its longstanding ally in the face of deadlocked nuclear talks with Washington.

China reasserted its backing for North Korea on Tuesday as its foreign minister visited Pyongyang, vowing to maintain "close communication" with its longstanding ally in the face of deadlocked nuclear talks with Washington. Beijing has long been North Korea's key diplomatic backer and main provider of trade and aid, and while ties deteriorated over Pyongyang's nuclear provocations and China's subsequent backing of UN sanctions, the two have since worked to repair their relationship. Since March 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have met five times, with Xi seeking to weigh in on Pyongyang's diplomacy with Washington. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi arrived in Pyongyang on a three-day trip on Monday, just two months after Xi became the first Chinese leader to visit the North in 14 years. Wang told his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong Ho that Beijing was ready "to promote... close communication and cooperation on the international stage", China's foreign ministry said Tuesday. Reflecting on their 70 years of alliance, Wang noted that Beijing and Pyongyang have "always been in the same boat and moving forward side by side", it said in a statement. Ri said that North Korea is willing to work with China to "promote greater development" of their relations in the "new era", according to the document. Pyongyang and Washington are engaged in a long-running diplomatic process over the North's nuclear programmes although little progress has been made. Those talks have been deadlocked after a second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump collapsed in Hanoi in February with the two unable to reach a deal on sanctions relief and what the North might give up in return. They agree to restart talks at an impromptu meeting in the Demilitarized Zone in June, but that working-level dialogue has yet to begin. China always prefers stability in its neighbourhood and officially supports talks between the North and the US. But Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said Wang's visit "will raise concerns about their coordinating economic cooperation despite UN sanctions". "Beijing and Pyongyang may also strategise how to exploit widening divisions between Seoul and Tokyo and how to play the US election cycle," he added, but stressed that North Korea wanted to avoid over-reliance on China. "Despite signs of camaraderie, Kim isn't choosing sides, he's playing everyone off each other," he said. Beijing sent millions of troops known as "Chinese People's Volunteers" to save the North from defeat during the Korean War, and Mao Zedong described their relations as "close as lips and teeth". Nowadays Beijing sees the North as a strategic buffer, preventing the possibility of US troops on its borders -- 28,500 are stationed in South Korea.

China backs North Korea amid deadlocked nuclear talks

PM Modi will visit the Vladivostok this week. Vladivostok is a major Pacific port city in Russia overlooking Golden Horn Bay, near the borders with China and North Korea. PM Modi is actually invited as a chief guest for the eastern-economic forum.

PM Modi will visit Vladivostok this week, invited as an chief guest

Eastern Economic Forum is an international forum held each year in Vladivostok, Russia, for the purpose of encouraging foreign investment in the Russian Far East. PM Modi has been invited to attend this Forum being a chief guest.

PM Modi will attend Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia soon

North Korea Saturday lashed out at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/focused-on-getting-two-canadians-released-from-china-pompeo-to-trudeau-244884">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a> over his comments on Pyongyang's "rogue behaviour" and warned its expectations for nuclear talks with Washington are "gradually disappearing".

Pyongyang's angry words come as working-level talks with Washington remain gridlocked, despite an agreement in June between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-pompeo-remark-would-make-talks-with-us-more-difficult-246778">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> and President Donald Trump to kickstart the process.

Instead, no progress has been made in recent weeks, as the reclusive state launched a series of weapons tests in protest at joint military exercises between the US and South Korea.

"Our expectations of dialogue with the US are gradually disappearing and we are being pushed to re-examine all the measures we have taken so far," said Choe Son Hui, the North's vice foreign minister, in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.&nbsp;

Choe took aim at remarks made earlier this week by Pompeo who described North Korea's actions as "rogue behaviour" that could not be ignored.&nbsp;

Such language was improper, irritating and insulting, Choe said, warning that the US should not to put "our patience to the test if it doesn't want to have bitter regrets afterwards".

The North's blistering criticism of the top US diplomat comes a week after it called him a "diehard toxin" and said it was "sceptical" about whether it can negotiate with him.

Kim and Trump adopted a vague-worded statement on the "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" at their first encounter in Singapore in June last year but little progress has since been made on discarding the North’s weapons programmes.

North Korea Saturday lashed out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over his comments on Pyongyang's "rogue behaviour" and warned its expectations for nuclear talks with Washington are "gradually disappearing".

North Korea Saturday lashed out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over his comments on Pyongyang's "rogue behaviour" and warned its expectations for nuclear talks with Washington are "gradually disappearing". Pyongyang's angry words come as working-level talks with Washington remain gridlocked, despite an agreement in June between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump to kickstart the process. Instead, no progress has been made in recent weeks, as the reclusive state launched a series of weapons tests in protest at joint military exercises between the US and South Korea. "Our expectations of dialogue with the US are gradually disappearing and we are being pushed to re-examine all the measures we have taken so far," said Choe Son Hui, the North's vice foreign minister, in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. Choe took aim at remarks made earlier this week by Pompeo who described North Korea's actions as "rogue behaviour" that could not be ignored. Such language was improper, irritating and insulting, Choe said, warning that the US should not to put "our patience to the test if it doesn't want to have bitter regrets afterwards". The North's blistering criticism of the top US diplomat comes a week after it called him a "diehard toxin" and said it was "sceptical" about whether it can negotiate with him. Kim and Trump adopted a vague-worded statement on the "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" at their first encounter in Singapore in June last year but little progress has since been made on discarding the North’s weapons programmes.

North Korea hits out at Mike Pompeo, warns hopes for US talks 'disappearing'

The United States has imposed sanctions on two people and three firms and identified a blocked ship that it says helped <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-changes-constitution-to-solidify-kim-jong-uns-rule-246503">North Korea</a> evade sanctions, the Treasury Department said in a statement on Friday.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-javad-zarif-heading-to-asia-in-push-against-us-sanctions-245310">US sanctions</a> target a shipping network that the Treasury Department says engaged in ship-to-ship oil transfers with North Korea to help Pyongyang circumvent sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

The Treasury Department says the two people used the ship, which had previously conducted at least two ship-to-ship transfers with North Korea-flagged vessels, to transport 1.7 million liters of petroleum products to a North Korean-flagged ship.

The two people have interests in the three companies targeted by the sanctions, according to the Treasury Department.

North Korea is under UN sanctions in a bid to choke Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Although US President Donald Trump has publicly stated he has a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the United States seized a North Korean ship earlier this year that Washington said was involved in illegal coal shipments in violation of UN sanctions. 
&nbsp;

The United States has imposed sanctions on two people and three firms and identified a blocked ship that it says helped North Korea evade sanctions, the Treasury Department said in a statement on Friday.

The United States has imposed sanctions on two people and three firms and identified a blocked ship that it says helped North Korea evade sanctions, the Treasury Department said in a statement on Friday. The US sanctions target a shipping network that the Treasury Department says engaged in ship-to-ship oil transfers with North Korea to help Pyongyang circumvent sanctions imposed by the United Nations. The Treasury Department says the two people used the ship, which had previously conducted at least two ship-to-ship transfers with North Korea-flagged vessels, to transport 1.7 million liters of petroleum products to a North Korean-flagged ship. The two people have interests in the three companies targeted by the sanctions, according to the Treasury Department. North Korea is under UN sanctions in a bid to choke Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Although US President Donald Trump has publicly stated he has a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the United States seized a North Korean ship earlier this year that Washington said was involved in illegal coal shipments in violation of UN sanctions.

US imposes sanctions on people, firms it says helped North Korea evade sanctions

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-developing-warheads-to-penetrate-missile-defences-japan-245932">North Korea</a>`s parliament has approved changes to the country`s constitution to solidify leader Kim Jong Un`s role as head of state, official state media said on Thursday.

The move comes after Kim was formally named head of state and commander-in-chief of the military in a new constitution in July that analysts said was possibly aimed at preparing for a peace treaty with the United States.

North Korea has long called for a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-ready-for-dialogue-or-confrontation-with-us-244911"> peace deal with the United States</a> to normalise relations and end the technical state of war that has existed since the 1950-1953 Korean War, which concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.&nbsp;

Kim`s legal status as "representing our state has been further consolidated to firmly ensure the monolithic guidance of the Supreme Leader over all state affairs", state news agency KCNA quoted Choe Ryong Hae, president of the presidium of the supreme people`s assembly, as saying.&nbsp;

The presidium president had historically been the nominal head of state.

But the new constitution said Kim, as chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC), a top governing body created in 2016, was the supreme representative of all the Korean people, as well as "commander-in-chief".

A previous constitution simply called Kim the "supreme leader" who commanded the country`s "overall military force".

Thursday`s constitutional amendments appear to confirm that North Korea`s legal system will now recognise Kim as head of state.

The new constitution authorises Kim to promulgate legislative ordinances and major decrees and decisions and appoint or recall diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, KCNA said.

"With the amendment, Kim Jong Un is reviving his grandfather’s head of state system," said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute. "He has become a de facto head of state."

In reality Kim, a third-generation hereditary leader, rules North Korea with an iron fist and the title change will mean little to the way he wields power.

The back-to-back constitutional revision is unprecedented and Kim is emerging as perhaps the most powerful leader since his grandfather Kim Il Sung, who founded North Korea, said Rachel Minyoung Lee, an analyst with NK News, a website that tracks North Korea.

"By further bolstering the SAC chairman`s authority, Kim Jong Un is now on par with Kim Il Sung," she said.

Other analysts noted that the moves simply codified the power Kim Jong Un already wields as supreme leader.

"This is more a matter of shuffling the card deck and clarifying a few lines of authority," said Michael Madden, an expert on North Korean leadership and a fellow at the US-based Stimson Center.

"There is no question that Kim Jong Un is the regime`s key and - on strategic policy - sole decider," he said.

There has been scant progress in the US&nbsp;aim of getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme despite three meetings between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.

Trump has said he and Kim agreed at their last meeting to resume working-level talks, although these have yet to happen. North Korea has since conducted multiple missile tests, while accusing Washington of breaking a pledge to stop joint military exercises with South Korea.

North Korea`s parliament has approved changes to the country`s constitution to solidify leader Kim Jong Un`s role as head of state, official state media said on Thursday.

North Korea`s parliament has approved changes to the country`s constitution to solidify leader Kim Jong Un`s role as head of state, official state media said on Thursday. The move comes after Kim was formally named head of state and commander-in-chief of the military in a new constitution in July that analysts said was possibly aimed at preparing for a peace treaty with the United States. North Korea has long called for a peace deal with the United States to normalise relations and end the technical state of war that has existed since the 1950-1953 Korean War, which concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. Kim`s legal status as "representing our state has been further consolidated to firmly ensure the monolithic guidance of the Supreme Leader over all state affairs", state news agency KCNA quoted Choe Ryong Hae, president of the presidium of the supreme people`s assembly, as saying. The presidium president had historically been the nominal head of state. But the new constitution said Kim, as chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC), a top governing body created in 2016, was the supreme representative of all the Korean people, as well as "commander-in-chief". A previous constitution simply called Kim the "supreme leader" who commanded the country`s "overall military force". Thursday`s constitutional amendments appear to confirm that North Korea`s legal system will now recognise Kim as head of state. The new constitution authorises Kim to promulgate legislative ordinances and major decrees and decisions and appoint or recall diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, KCNA said. "With the amendment, Kim Jong Un is reviving his grandfather’s head of state system," said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute. "He has become a de facto head of state." In reality Kim, a third-generation hereditary leader, rules North Korea with an iron fist and the title change will mean little to the way he wields power. The back-to-back constitutional revision is unprecedented and Kim is emerging as perhaps the most powerful leader since his grandfather Kim Il Sung, who founded North Korea, said Rachel Minyoung Lee, an analyst with NK News, a website that tracks North Korea. "By further bolstering the SAC chairman`s authority, Kim Jong Un is now on par with Kim Il Sung," she said. Other analysts noted that the moves simply codified the power Kim Jong Un already wields as supreme leader. "This is more a matter of shuffling the card deck and clarifying a few lines of authority," said Michael Madden, an expert on North Korean leadership and a fellow at the US-based Stimson Center. "There is no question that Kim Jong Un is the regime`s key and - on strategic policy - sole decider," he said. There has been scant progress in the US aim of getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme despite three meetings between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. Trump has said he and Kim agreed at their last meeting to resume working-level talks, although these have yet to happen. North Korea has since conducted multiple missile tests, while accusing Washington of breaking a pledge to stop joint military exercises with South Korea.

North Korea changes constitution to solidify Kim Jong Un’s rule

The US Treasury on Friday announced penalties against Taiwanese and Hong Kong shipping firms it says are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-changes-constitution-to-solidify-kim-jong-uns-rule-246503">helping North Korea circumvent United Nations sanctions</a> on Pyongyang's oil exports and imports.

The companies are helping North Korea with "illicit ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to circumvent United Nations (UN) sanctions that restrict the import of petroleum products," Treasury said.

The firms "engaged in at least one significant importation from or exportation to North Korea of any goods, services, or technology."

The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control blocked the assets of Taiwan-based Jui Pang Shipping Co Ltd (Jui Pang) and Jui Zong Ship Management Co Ltd (Jui Zong), as well as the Hong Kong-based Jui Cheng Shipping Company Limited (Jui Cheng).

"Shipping companies trading with North Korea are exposing themselves to significant sanctions risk, despite the deceptive practices they try to employ," Treasury Under Secretary Sigal Mandelker said in a statement.

The agency also targeted two Taiwan-based individuals Huang Wang Ken and Chen Mei Hsiang, as well as a vessel in which the two have an interest.

The Treasury said the attempts to secure refined petroleum through the ship-to-ship transfers evade UN sanctions aimed at preventing North Korea from obtaining resources that would support its weapons of mass destruction and missile programs.

The US Treasury on Friday announced penalties against Taiwanese and Hong Kong shipping firms it says are helping North Korea circumvent United Nations sanctions on Pyongyang's oil exports and imports.

The US Treasury on Friday announced penalties against Taiwanese and Hong Kong shipping firms it says are helping North Korea circumvent United Nations sanctions on Pyongyang's oil exports and imports. The companies are helping North Korea with "illicit ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to circumvent United Nations (UN) sanctions that restrict the import of petroleum products," Treasury said. The firms "engaged in at least one significant importation from or exportation to North Korea of any goods, services, or technology." The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control blocked the assets of Taiwan-based Jui Pang Shipping Co Ltd (Jui Pang) and Jui Zong Ship Management Co Ltd (Jui Zong), as well as the Hong Kong-based Jui Cheng Shipping Company Limited (Jui Cheng). "Shipping companies trading with North Korea are exposing themselves to significant sanctions risk, despite the deceptive practices they try to employ," Treasury Under Secretary Sigal Mandelker said in a statement. The agency also targeted two Taiwan-based individuals Huang Wang Ken and Chen Mei Hsiang, as well as a vessel in which the two have an interest. The Treasury said the attempts to secure refined petroleum through the ship-to-ship transfers evade UN sanctions aimed at preventing North Korea from obtaining resources that would support its weapons of mass destruction and missile programs.

US penalises shipping firms said to help North Korea circumvent UN sanctions

Pyongyang appears to be developing warheads to penetrate a ballistic missile shield defending Japan, the country's defence chief said on Tuesday, pointing to the irregular trajectories of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launches-short-range-missiles-again-complicating-us-attempts-for-talks-245221">latest missiles launched by North Korea</a>.

Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya told a news conference that Japan believes the rockets were a new short-range ballistic missile, according to a ministry spokesman who confirmed his comments carried by domestic media.

Recent short-range missile tests by Pyongyang have stoked alarm in neighbouring Japan even as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-has-really-good-relationship-with-north-korea-245245">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> has dismissed the launches as unimportant.

Saturday's test firings came a day after Seoul said it was ending a military intelligence-sharing pact with Tokyo, amid a worsening spat over wartime forced labour.

Iwaya and other Japanese officials called Seoul's decision "irrational" as the threat posed by North Korea grows.

Japan and the United States have Aegis destroyers deployed in the Sea of Japan armed with interceptor missiles designed to destroy warheads in space. Japan also plans to build two land-based Aegis batteries to bolster its ballistic missile shield.

Those defence systems, however, are designed to counter projectiles on regular and therefore, predictable, trajectories, and any variation in flight path would make interception trickier.

Detailed analysis of the latest North Korean launches was underway with the United States, an official of South Korea's defence ministry said on Tuesday.

Pyongyang appears to be developing warheads to penetrate a ballistic missile shield defending Japan, the country's defence chief said on Tuesday, pointing to the irregular trajectories of the latest missiles launched by North Korea.

Pyongyang appears to be developing warheads to penetrate a ballistic missile shield defending Japan, the country's defence chief said on Tuesday, pointing to the irregular trajectories of the latest missiles launched by North Korea. Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya told a news conference that Japan believes the rockets were a new short-range ballistic missile, according to a ministry spokesman who confirmed his comments carried by domestic media. Recent short-range missile tests by Pyongyang have stoked alarm in neighbouring Japan even as US President Donald Trump has dismissed the launches as unimportant. Saturday's test firings came a day after Seoul said it was ending a military intelligence-sharing pact with Tokyo, amid a worsening spat over wartime forced labour. Iwaya and other Japanese officials called Seoul's decision "irrational" as the threat posed by North Korea grows. Japan and the United States have Aegis destroyers deployed in the Sea of Japan armed with interceptor missiles designed to destroy warheads in space. Japan also plans to build two land-based Aegis batteries to bolster its ballistic missile shield. Those defence systems, however, are designed to counter projectiles on regular and therefore, predictable, trajectories, and any variation in flight path would make interception trickier. Detailed analysis of the latest North Korean launches was underway with the United States, an official of South Korea's defence ministry said on Tuesday.

North Korea developing warheads to penetrate missile defences: Japan

South Korea Sunday began two days of war games to practise defending disputed islands off its east coast against an unlikely attack from Japan, further stoking tensions between the Asian neighbours.

The annual drills come just days after Seoul terminated a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-says-south-korea-fails-to-grasp-north-korea-threat-with-scrapping-of-pact-245084">military intelligence-sharing pact with Tokyo</a>, with the countries at loggerheads over Japan's use of forced labour during World War II.

The two-day exercise will involve warships and aircraft, the South Korean navy said in a text message without providing more detail.

The drill -- re-named "East Sea territory defence training" -- will solidify the military's resolve to defend the Dokdo islands and the area surrounding the Sea of Japan, the navy said.

While a Japanese attack is deemed highly unlikely, South Korea first staged the drills in 1986 and has conducted them twice a year -- usually in June and December.

The delayed exercise comes as tensions with neighbouring Japan continue.

Seoul has controlled the rocky islets in the Sea of Japan since 1945 when Tokyo's 35-year colonial rule over the Korean peninsula ended.

Tokyo also claims the islands and accuses South Korea of occupying them illegally.

The two nations are both market economies, democracies and US allies, and both are threatened by nuclear-armed North Korea.

But the two neighbours have been embroiled in intensifying trade and diplomatic disputes in recent weeks, following a run of South Korean court rulings ordering Japanese firms to pay for forced labour during World War II.

The series of tit-for-tat measures that began in July after Japan imposed new restrictions on exports crucial to South Korean tech firms has seen Seoul and Tokyo remove each other from their lists of trusted trade partners.

South Korea Sunday began two days of war games to practise defending disputed islands off its east coast against an unlikely attack from Japan, further stoking tensions between the Asian neighbours.

South Korea Sunday began two days of war games to practise defending disputed islands off its east coast against an unlikely attack from Japan, further stoking tensions between the Asian neighbours. The annual drills come just days after Seoul terminated a military intelligence-sharing pact with Tokyo, with the countries at loggerheads over Japan's use of forced labour during World War II. The two-day exercise will involve warships and aircraft, the South Korean navy said in a text message without providing more detail. The drill -- re-named "East Sea territory defence training" -- will solidify the military's resolve to defend the Dokdo islands and the area surrounding the Sea of Japan, the navy said. While a Japanese attack is deemed highly unlikely, South Korea first staged the drills in 1986 and has conducted them twice a year -- usually in June and December. The delayed exercise comes as tensions with neighbouring Japan continue. Seoul has controlled the rocky islets in the Sea of Japan since 1945 when Tokyo's 35-year colonial rule over the Korean peninsula ended. Tokyo also claims the islands and accuses South Korea of occupying them illegally. The two nations are both market economies, democracies and US allies, and both are threatened by nuclear-armed North Korea. But the two neighbours have been embroiled in intensifying trade and diplomatic disputes in recent weeks, following a run of South Korean court rulings ordering Japanese firms to pay for forced labour during World War II. The series of tit-for-tat measures that began in July after Japan imposed new restrictions on exports crucial to South Korean tech firms has seen Seoul and Tokyo remove each other from their lists of trusted trade partners.

South Korea begins annual war games to defend against Japan

US President Donald Trump said on Friday the United States has a really good relationship with North Korea and that the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, has been "pretty straight" with him.

"Kim Jong Un has been very straight with me," Trump told reporters at the White House after North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, according to the South Korean military.

A US&nbsp;official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the two missiles North Korea had fired appeared to be similar to launches in recent weeks.

Saturday's launch, the seventh by North Korea since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met at the inter-Korean border in June, have complicated attempts to restart talks between US&nbsp;and North Korean negotiators over the future of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

The two leaders agreed to restart working-level negotiations in June, but since then the United States has so far been unsuccessful in attempts to get talks going.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said on Friday the United States has a really good relationship with North Korea and that the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, has been "pretty straight" with him.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday the United States has a really good relationship with North Korea and that the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, has been "pretty straight" with him. "Kim Jong Un has been very straight with me," Trump told reporters at the White House after North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, according to the South Korean military. A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the two missiles North Korea had fired appeared to be similar to launches in recent weeks. Saturday's launch, the seventh by North Korea since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met at the inter-Korean border in June, have complicated attempts to restart talks between US and North Korean negotiators over the future of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The two leaders agreed to restart working-level negotiations in June, but since then the United States has so far been unsuccessful in attempts to get talks going.

Trump says US has really good relationship with North Korea

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-eu-threatens-trade-retaliation-brazil-sends-army-to-fight-amazon-fires-245212">As European Union threatens trade retaliation, Brazil sends army to fight Amazon fires</a>

European leaders on Friday threatened to tear up a trade deal with South America, reflecting growing international anger at Brazil as a record number of fires in the Amazon rainforest intensified an unfolding environmental crisis.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launches-short-range-missiles-again-complicating-us-attempts-for-talks-245221">North Korea launches short-range missiles again, complicating US attempts for talks</a>

North Korea fired what appears to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Saturday, the South Korean military said, the latest in a series of launches in recent weeks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-heaps-another-5-tariff-on-chinese-goods-in-latest-tit-for-tat-escalation-245211">Trump heaps another 5% tariff on Chinese goods in latest tit-for-tat escalation</a>

US President Donald Trump on Friday lashed back at a new round of Chinese tariffs by heaping an additional 5 per cent duty on some $550 billion in targeted Chinese goods in the latest tit-for-tat trade war escalation by the world's two largest economies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-be-honoured-with-uaes-highest-civilian-award-245219">PM Modi to be honoured with UAE's highest civilian award for boosting ties</a>

Indian Prime will be conferred with United Arab Emirates's highest civilian award--the Zayed medal on Saturday. The award was announced in April this year.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/former-finance-minister-arun-jaitleys-health-deteriorated-aiims-245239">Former finance minister Arun Jaitley's health deteriorates, says AIIMS sources</a>

Two weeks after being hospitalised, former finance minister Arun Jaitley's health has been deteriorating, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) sources said on Friday.

As European Union threatens trade retaliation, Brazil sends army to fight Amazon fires European leaders on Friday threatened to tear up a trade deal with South America, reflecting growing international anger at Brazil as a record number of fires in the Amazon rainforest intensified an unfolding environmental crisis.

As European Union threatens trade retaliation, Brazil sends army to fight Amazon fires European leaders on Friday threatened to tear up a trade deal with South America, reflecting growing international anger at Brazil as a record number of fires in the Amazon rainforest intensified an unfolding environmental crisis. North Korea launches short-range missiles again, complicating US attempts for talks North Korea fired what appears to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Saturday, the South Korean military said, the latest in a series of launches in recent weeks. Trump heaps another 5% tariff on Chinese goods in latest tit-for-tat escalation US President Donald Trump on Friday lashed back at a new round of Chinese tariffs by heaping an additional 5 per cent duty on some $550 billion in targeted Chinese goods in the latest tit-for-tat trade war escalation by the world's two largest economies. PM Modi to be honoured with UAE's highest civilian award for boosting ties Indian Prime will be conferred with United Arab Emirates's highest civilian award--the Zayed medal on Saturday. The award was announced in April this year. Former finance minister Arun Jaitley's health deteriorates, says AIIMS sources Two weeks after being hospitalised, former finance minister Arun Jaitley's health has been deteriorating, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) sources said on Friday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles on Saturday, two days after South Korea decided to pull out of a military intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan.

North Korea fires two suspected missiles, 7th missile fire in a month

North Korea fired what appears to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Saturday, the South Korean military said, the latest in a series of launches in recent weeks.

North Korea fired what appears to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Saturday, the South Korean military said, the latest in a series of launches in recent weeks. A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the two missiles North Korea had fired appeared to be similar to launches in recent weeks. Saturday's launch, the seventh by North Korea since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met at the inter-Korean border in June, have complicated attempts to restart talks between US and North Korean negotiators over the future of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The two leaders agreed to restart working-level negotiations in June, but since then the United States has so far been unsuccessful in attempts to get talks going. US envoy on North Korea Stephen Biegun was in Seoul this week to discuss ways to get negotiations back on track. "We are prepared to engage as soon as we hear from our counterparts in North Korea," Biegun said on Wednesday. But in recent weeks, North Korea has repeatedly criticised US and South Korean largely computer-simulated joint military drills, South Korea's import of high-tech weapons such as F-35 stealth jets, and US testing of its intermediate-range cruise missile as threatening and hindrances to dialogue. On Friday, North Korea's top diplomat called US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a "diehard toxin," saying "We are ready for both dialogue and standoff." South Korea's National Security Council (NSC) expressed "strong concern" over North Korea's continued launches despite the fact that the South Korea-US joint military exercises denounced by North Korea had ended. It called for North Korea to stop escalating military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The NSC agreed to make diplomatic efforts to bring North Korea to the negotiating table with the United States as soon as possible for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea's presidential office said in a statement. A senior US administration official said, "We are aware of reports of a missile launch from North Korea, and continue to monitor the situation. We are consulting closely with our Japanese and South Korean allies." Japanese Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya said that North Korea's missile launches were a clear violation of UN resolutions and cannot be ignored. He confirmed that missiles fell outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone, and posed no immediate threat to Japan's security. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JSC) said North Korea fired what appeared to be short-range ballistic missiles on Saturday at around 6:45am and 7:02am KST (2145, 2202 GMT on Friday) respectively from around Sondok, South Hamgyong Province. Sondok is the site of a North Korean military airfield. They flew about 380 kilometres (236 miles) and reached a height of 97 km (60 miles), JSC said. Japan's Coast Guard warned shipping not to approach any fallen debris. South Korea officially informed Japan on Friday of its decision to scrap an intelligence-sharing agreement, which Japanese Minister of Defence Takeshi Iwaya said was regrettable and showed that Seoul failed to appreciate the growing security threat posed by North Korea.

North Korea launches short-range missiles again, complicating US attempts for talks

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/climate-change-defence-and-kashmir-in-the-spotlight-as-modi-meets-macron-ahead-of-g7-summit-244916">Climate change, defence and Kashmir in the spotlight as Modi meets Macron ahead of G7 summit&nbsp;</a>

Climate change, cybersecurity, defence, space cooperation and Kashmir were in the spotlight as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday met for the fifth time ahead of G7 Summit in Biarritz.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-rainforest-fires-our-house-is-on-fire-says-macron-ahead-of-g7-summit-244910">Amazon rainforest fires: 'Our house is on fire', says Macron ahead of G7 Summit</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said the Amazon wildfires were "an international crisis" and called on the globe's most industrialized nations to address it at their summit this weekend.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-ready-for-dialogue-or-confrontation-with-us-244911">North Korea says ready for dialogue or confrontation with US</a>

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said on Friday Pyongyang is ready for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, warning Washington that continuing with sanctions would be a miscalculation, according to state media KCNA.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-says-youtube-campaign-targeted-hong-kong-protests-244915">Google says YouTube campaign targeted Hong Kong protests</a>

Google on Thursday said it disabled a series of YouTube channels that appeared to be part of a coordinated influence campaign against pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-launches-floating-nuclear-reactor-in-arctic-despite-warnings-244918">Russia launches floating nuclear reactor in Arctic despite warnings</a>

Russia will launch the world's first floating nuclear reactor and send it on an epic journey across the Arctic on Friday, despite environmentalists warning of serious risks to the region.

Climate change, defence and Kashmir in the spotlight as Modi meets Macron ahead of G7 summit Climate change, cybersecurity, defence, space cooperation and Kashmir were in the spotlight as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday met for the fifth time ahead of G7 Summit in Biarritz.

Climate change, defence and Kashmir in the spotlight as Modi meets Macron ahead of G7 summit Climate change, cybersecurity, defence, space cooperation and Kashmir were in the spotlight as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday met for the fifth time ahead of G7 Summit in Biarritz. Amazon rainforest fires: 'Our house is on fire', says Macron ahead of G7 Summit French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said the Amazon wildfires were "an international crisis" and called on the globe's most industrialized nations to address it at their summit this weekend. North Korea says ready for dialogue or confrontation with US North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said on Friday Pyongyang is ready for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, warning Washington that continuing with sanctions would be a miscalculation, according to state media KCNA. Google says YouTube campaign targeted Hong Kong protests Google on Thursday said it disabled a series of YouTube channels that appeared to be part of a coordinated influence campaign against pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Russia launches floating nuclear reactor in Arctic despite warnings Russia will launch the world's first floating nuclear reactor and send it on an epic journey across the Arctic on Friday, despite environmentalists warning of serious risks to the region.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said on Friday Pyongyang is ready for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, warning Washington that continuing with sanctions would be a miscalculation, according to state media KCNA.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said on Friday Pyongyang is ready for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, warning Washington that continuing with sanctions would be a miscalculation, according to state media KCNA. Working-level talks between the United States and North Korea have yet to restart since stalling after the failed second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi in February. Trump and Kim met again in June at the inter-Korean border and agreed to reopen negotiations, but that has not happened as yet. "If the US is still dreaming of achieving everything with sanctions, we must either let it dream on or shatter that dream," Ri said. "We are prepared for both dialogue and confrontation. If the U.S. tries to confront us with sanctions and not abandon its confrontational posture, it would be a miscalculation." Ri also accused U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of casting "dark shadows" over US-North Korea talks, claiming that Pompeo was more interested in his own political ambitions than in current U.S. foreign policy. The remarks on KCNA were prompted by Pompeo's comments in a media interview this week saying if North Korea doesn't denuclearise, the U.S. will maintain the strongest sanctions in history while convincing North Korea that denuclearisation is the right path, Ri said. US envoy Stephen Biegun, who leads working-level talks with North Korea, arrived in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss the talks. Denuclearisation talks were expected to be reopened soon, South Korea's deputy national security adviser Kim Hyun-chong said, giving his upbeat assessment after meeting Biegun on Thursday.

North Korea says ready for dialogue or confrontation with US

The United States and North Korea are expected to reopen denuclearisation talks soon and it would "go well," a senior South Korean official said on Thursday, boosting hopes for progress in negotiations after a prolonged stalemate.

The United States and North Korea are expected to reopen denuclearisation talks soon and it would "go well," a senior South Korean official said on Thursday, boosting hopes for progress in negotiations after a prolonged stalemate. South Korea's deputy national security adviser Kim Hyun-chong gave his upbeat assessment after meeting with US envoy for North Korea Stephen Biegun in Seoul. "My impression was that North Korea and the United States would carry out dialogue soon, and it would go well," Kim told reporters after the one-hour meeting, without elaborating. Working-level talks between the United States and North Korea have yet to restart since they were stalled by the failed second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi in February. Trump and Kim met again in June at the inter-Korean border and agreed to reopen negotiations. The South Korean official also said that South Korea's presidential National Security Council will convene later on Thursday to review an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan, that Seoul had threatened to scrap amid a spiralling diplomatic and trade spat. The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) could expire on Saturday if either side decides not to roll it over. According to Kim, the South Korean official, Biegun raised the issue, which has worried Washington as the accord is instrumental in three-way efforts to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. "I've told him we'll carefully examine it and make a decision in a way that serves our national interest," the South Korean deputy national security adviser said.

South Korea says US, North Korea will restart dialogue 'soon'

A North Korean spokesman said on Thursday (August 22) that the United States' recent mid-range cruise missile test and plans to deploy F-35 jets and offensive military equipment around the Korean peninsula were "dangerous" moves that would "trigger a new cold war" in the region.

WION Dispatch: US cruise missile test is 'dangerous', says North Korea

Japan has upgraded its estimate of North Korea's nuclear weapons capability in an upcoming annual Defence White Paper, saying it seems Pyongyang has already achieved the miniaturisation of warheads, the Yomiuri newspaper said in an unsourced report on Wednesday.

Japan has upgraded its estimate of North Korea's nuclear weapons capability in an upcoming annual Defence White Paper, saying it seems Pyongyang has already achieved the miniaturisation of warheads, the Yomiuri newspaper said in an unsourced report on Wednesday. That compares with the assessment in last year's report in which the government said it was possible North Korea had achieved miniaturisation, the Japanese daily said without citing sources. The report, to be approved at a Cabinet meeting in mid-September, will maintain the assessment that North Korea's military activities pose a "serious and imminent threat", the Yomiuri said. South Korea's 2018 Defense White Paper, released in January, reported that North Korea’s ability to miniaturise nuclear weapons "appears to have reached a considerable level." According to South Korean media reports late last year, the South Korean intelligence agency told lawmakers that North Korea had continued to miniaturise nuclear warheads even after the Singapore summit between Trump and Kim in June 2018. At that time, North Korea committed "to work toward complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" and destroyed some tunnels and buildings at its Punggye-ri nuclear test site. But a second Trump-Kim meeting in February collapsed without an agreement, and North Korea has since resumed missile tests. American officials have concluded for years that North Korea had likely produced miniaturised nuclear warheads. A leaked report by the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2017 concluded that North Korea had successfully produced a miniaturised nuclear warhead that can fit inside its missiles, according to The Washington Post. In last year's Defence White Paper, Japan said "miniaturising a nuclear weapon small enough to be mounted on a ballistic missile requires a considerably high degree of technological capacity," and that "it is possible that North Korea has achieved the miniaturisation of nuclear weapons and has developed nuclear warheads."

Japanese report to say North Korea has miniaturised nuclear warheads

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-persists-despite-territory-loss-mike-pompeo-244477">Mike Pompeo</a> expressed displeasure Tuesday about North Korea's series of missile tests but said he wants to resume negotiations on denuclearization with Pyongyang.

In an interview with CBS, the chief US diplomat noted the six tests of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-leader-kim-jong-un-oversaw-test-firing-of-new-weapon-again-state-media-243532">short-range ballistic missiles</a> that North Korea has conducted in recent weeks, and appeared to diverge slightly with President Donald Trump, who have dismissed the tests as unthreatening and insignificant.

"I wish they would not do that," Pompeo said of the tests.

He added that he hopes that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will agree to resume negotiations, after three face-to-face meetings with Trump.

"We haven't gotten back to the table as quickly as we would have hoped," Pompeo said.

"We have been pretty clear all along. We know there will be bumps along the way."&nbsp;

He said the State Department's special representative for North Korean negotiations, Stephen Biegun, is in Asia this week.

"We hope Chairman<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-no-talks-with-south-due-to-drills-kim-oversaw-test-of-new-weapon-kcna-242223"> Kim</a> will come to the table, get a better outcome. It will be better for the North Korean people. It will be better for the world," Pompeo said.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed displeasure Tuesday about North Korea's series of missile tests but said he wants to resume negotiations on denuclearization with Pyongyang.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed displeasure Tuesday about North Korea's series of missile tests but said he wants to resume negotiations on denuclearization with Pyongyang. In an interview with CBS, the chief US diplomat noted the six tests of short-range ballistic missiles that North Korea has conducted in recent weeks, and appeared to diverge slightly with President Donald Trump, who have dismissed the tests as unthreatening and insignificant. "I wish they would not do that," Pompeo said of the tests. He added that he hopes that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will agree to resume negotiations, after three face-to-face meetings with Trump. "We haven't gotten back to the table as quickly as we would have hoped," Pompeo said. "We have been pretty clear all along. We know there will be bumps along the way." He said the State Department's special representative for North Korean negotiations, Stephen Biegun, is in Asia this week. "We hope Chairman Kim will come to the table, get a better outcome. It will be better for the North Korean people. It will be better for the world," Pompeo said.

Pompeo hopes North Korea does not test anymore missiles

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News brief: Big stories of the day

North Korea fires two suspected missiles, 7th missile fire in a month

North Korea launches short-range missiles again, complicating US attempts for talks

News brief: Big stories of the day