<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/endemic-corruption-in-north-korea-people-survive-by-paying-bribes-un-report-222287">'Endemic' corruption in North Korea, people survive by paying bribes: UN report</a>

North Koreans are forced to pay bribes to officials to survive in their isolated country where corruption is "endemic" and repression rife, the UN human rights office said on Tuesday in a report that Pyongyang dismissed as politically motivated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/west-bengal-three-trinamool-congress-mlas-over-50-councillors-join-bjp-in-delhi-222268">Setback for Mamata Banerjee: 2 Trinamool Congress MLAs, over 50 councillors join BJP</a>

In a major setback to West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress, three MLAs from West Bengal, including Trinamool Congress-turned-BJP leader Mukul Roy's son Subhrangshu Roy, along with more than 50 councillors on Tuesday joined the BJP here.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pakistan-537-out-of-681-hiv-affected-between-the-age-of-2-to-15-who-to-investigate-222259">Pakistan: 537 out of 681 HIV affected between the age of 2 to 15, WHO to investigate</a>

The Pakistan government has sought the help of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to probe the recent outbreak of HIV in the country’s Sindh province, that has till now affected over 600 people, mostly children, according to a media report.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-best-person-to-lead-party-too-premature-to-write-congresss-obituary-shashi-tharoor-222247">Rahul best person to lead party, too premature to write Congress' obituary: Shashi Tharoor</a>

Rahul Gandhi is the best person to pull the Congress out of its predicament following the setback in the Lok Sabha polls, says party leader Shashi Tharoor while declaring that his party is "alive and kicking" and it is too premature to write its obituary.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-rejects-us-ambassador-terry-branstads-call-for-talks-with-dalai-lama-222252">China rejects US Ambassador Terry Branstad's call for talks with Dalai Lama</a>

China on Tuesday rejected US Ambassador Terry Branstad's call to Beijing to engage in "substantive dialogue" with the Dalai Lama, saying it was firmly opposed to "foreign interference" in Tibet and its internal affairs.

'Endemic' corruption in North Korea, people survive by paying bribes: UN report North Koreans are forced to pay bribes to officials to survive in their isolated country where corruption is "endemic" and repression rife, the UN human rights office said on Tuesday in a report that Pyongyang dismissed as politically motivated.

'Endemic' corruption in North Korea, people survive by paying bribes: UN report North Koreans are forced to pay bribes to officials to survive in their isolated country where corruption is "endemic" and repression rife, the UN human rights office said on Tuesday in a report that Pyongyang dismissed as politically motivated. Setback for Mamata Banerjee: 2 Trinamool Congress MLAs, over 50 councillors join BJP In a major setback to West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress, three MLAs from West Bengal, including Trinamool Congress-turned-BJP leader Mukul Roy's son Subhrangshu Roy, along with more than 50 councillors on Tuesday joined the BJP here. Pakistan: 537 out of 681 HIV affected between the age of 2 to 15, WHO to investigate The Pakistan government has sought the help of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to probe the recent outbreak of HIV in the country’s Sindh province, that has till now affected over 600 people, mostly children, according to a media report. Rahul best person to lead party, too premature to write Congress' obituary: Shashi Tharoor Rahul Gandhi is the best person to pull the Congress out of its predicament following the setback in the Lok Sabha polls, says party leader Shashi Tharoor while declaring that his party is "alive and kicking" and it is too premature to write its obituary. China rejects US Ambassador Terry Branstad's call for talks with Dalai Lama China on Tuesday rejected US Ambassador Terry Branstad's call to Beijing to engage in "substantive dialogue" with the Dalai Lama, saying it was firmly opposed to "foreign interference" in Tibet and its internal affairs.

News brief: Big stories of the day

North Koreans are forced to pay bribes to officials to survive in their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blames-us-for-failed-summit-urges-new-calculation-221306">isolated country</a> where corruption is "endemic" and repression rife, the UN human rights office said on Tuesday in a report that Pyongyang dismissed as politically motivated.

The report said officials extorted money from a population struggling to make ends meet, threatening them with detention and prosecution - particularly those working in the informal economy.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the formal name for North Korea, rejected the report, saying it was "politically motivated for sinister purposes".

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"Such reports are nothing more than fabrication ... as they are always based on the so-called testimonies of 'defectors' who provide fabricated information to earn their living or are compelled to do so under duress or enticement," its Geneva mission said in a statement to Reuters.

North Korea blames the dire humanitarian situation on U.N. sanctions imposed for its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes since 2006. But the report said that the military receives priority funding amid "economic mismanagement".

"I am concerned that the constant focus on the nuclear issue continues to divert attention from the terrible state of human rights for many millions of North Koreans," Michelle Bachelet, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement.

"The rights to food, health, shelter, work, freedom of movement and liberty are universal and inalienable, but in North Korea, they depend primarily on the ability of individuals to bribe State officials," she said.

Four in 10 North Koreans, or 10.1 million people, are chronically short of food and further cuts to already minimal rations are expected after the worst harvest in a decade, a UN assessment said earlier this month.

"The threat of arrest, detention and prosecution provide State officials with a powerful means of extorting money from a population struggling to survive," the U.N. rights office report said.

Cash and cigarettes

Bribery is "an everyday feature of people's struggle to make ends meet", said the report, entitled "The price is rights". It denounced what it called a "vicious cycle of deprivation, corruption and repression".

It is based on 214 interviews with North Korean "escapees", mainly from the northeastern provinces of Ryanggang and North Hamgyong, bordering China. They were the first to be cut from the public distribution system that collapsed in 1994, leading to a famine estimated to have killed up to 1 million, it said.

"As my father still had to work at a state firm that could no longer afford giving rations, we survived by selling taffy and liquor my mom made," Ju Chan-yang, a 29-year-old defector, told a news conference hosted by the U.N. rights office in Seoul on Tuesday.

Ju, who defected to the South in 2011, said she also made a living by selling banned South Korean and U.S. products in the underground economy. Sometimes she had to bribe authorities.

"If you get caught and don't have bribes to pay, you could get executed, just like my relatives," she said.

Many North Koreans pay bribes of cash or cigarettes not to have to report to state-assigned jobs where they receive no salary, thus allowing them to earn income in rudimentary markets, the report said.

Others bribe border guards to cross into China, where women are vulnerable to trafficking into forced marriages or the sex trade, it added.

"North Korea is a society where all of its members are involved in corruption because they're forced to do illegal acts only to survive," said Lee Han-byeol, who came to the South in 2001 and now runs a group that helps defectors.

Bachelet urged North Korean authorities to stop prosecuting people for engaging in legitimate market activity and to allow them freedom of movement within the country and abroad. China should not forcibly repatriate North Koreans, she added.

The United States called on North Korea this month to "dismantle all political prison camps" and release all political prisoners, who it said numbered between 80,000 and 120,000. North Korea denies the existence of such camps.

North Koreans are forced to pay bribes to officials to survive in their isolated country where corruption is "endemic" and repression rife, the UN human rights office said on Tuesday in a report that Pyongyang dismissed as politically motivated.

North Koreans are forced to pay bribes to officials to survive in their isolated country where corruption is "endemic" and repression rife, the UN human rights office said on Tuesday in a report that Pyongyang dismissed as politically motivated. The report said officials extorted money from a population struggling to make ends meet, threatening them with detention and prosecution - particularly those working in the informal economy. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the formal name for North Korea, rejected the report, saying it was "politically motivated for sinister purposes". "Such reports are nothing more than fabrication ... as they are always based on the so-called testimonies of 'defectors' who provide fabricated information to earn their living or are compelled to do so under duress or enticement," its Geneva mission said in a statement to Reuters. North Korea blames the dire humanitarian situation on U.N. sanctions imposed for its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes since 2006. But the report said that the military receives priority funding amid "economic mismanagement". "I am concerned that the constant focus on the nuclear issue continues to divert attention from the terrible state of human rights for many millions of North Koreans," Michelle Bachelet, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement. "The rights to food, health, shelter, work, freedom of movement and liberty are universal and inalienable, but in North Korea, they depend primarily on the ability of individuals to bribe State officials," she said. Four in 10 North Koreans, or 10.1 million people, are chronically short of food and further cuts to already minimal rations are expected after the worst harvest in a decade, a UN assessment said earlier this month. "The threat of arrest, detention and prosecution provide State officials with a powerful means of extorting money from a population struggling to survive," the U.N. rights office report said. Cash and cigarettes Bribery is "an everyday feature of people's struggle to make ends meet", said the report, entitled "The price is rights". It denounced what it called a "vicious cycle of deprivation, corruption and repression". It is based on 214 interviews with North Korean "escapees", mainly from the northeastern provinces of Ryanggang and North Hamgyong, bordering China. They were the first to be cut from the public distribution system that collapsed in 1994, leading to a famine estimated to have killed up to 1 million, it said. "As my father still had to work at a state firm that could no longer afford giving rations, we survived by selling taffy and liquor my mom made," Ju Chan-yang, a 29-year-old defector, told a news conference hosted by the U.N. rights office in Seoul on Tuesday. Ju, who defected to the South in 2011, said she also made a living by selling banned South Korean and U.S. products in the underground economy. Sometimes she had to bribe authorities. "If you get caught and don't have bribes to pay, you could get executed, just like my relatives," she said. Many North Koreans pay bribes of cash or cigarettes not to have to report to state-assigned jobs where they receive no salary, thus allowing them to earn income in rudimentary markets, the report said. Others bribe border guards to cross into China, where women are vulnerable to trafficking into forced marriages or the sex trade, it added. "North Korea is a society where all of its members are involved in corruption because they're forced to do illegal acts only to survive," said Lee Han-byeol, who came to the South in 2001 and now runs a group that helps defectors. Bachelet urged North Korean authorities to stop prosecuting people for engaging in legitimate market activity and to allow them freedom of movement within the country and abroad. China should not forcibly repatriate North Koreans, she added. The United States called on North Korea this month to "dismantle all political prison camps" and release all political prisoners, who it said numbered between 80,000 and 120,000. North Korea denies the existence of such camps.

'Endemic' corruption in North Korea, people survive by paying bribes: UN report

North Korea slammed US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Monday, calling him a "human defect" that had to be banished, just as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/great-respect-between-us-and-north-korea-donald-trump-221859">President Donald Trump offered a positive outlook on relations with Pyongyang</a>.

Talks between Washington and Pyongyang have been deadlocked since the collapse of a summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi in February when they failed to agree a deal on denuclearisation.

The North has since sought to raise the pressure and carried out two short-range missile tests earlier this month.

Bolton said Saturday there was "no doubt" they violated UN Security Council resolutions against ballistic missile launches, but insisted Washington was still ready to resume talks.

A spokesman for the North's foreign ministry dismissed Bolton's remarks, saying Pyongyang had never accepted the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-missile-test-violated-un-resolution-john-bolton-221446">UN bans on ballistic technology</a>, which denied its "rights as a sovereign nation".

"Bolton said our regular military drills violated UNSC resolutions, which is beyond stupid," he said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Without referring to the weapons as missiles, the statement said the launches did not target or threaten any neighbouring countries.

"Banning launches using ballistic technology is equal to telling us to give up our right to self-defence," he added.

The spokesman went on to denounce Bolton, calling him a "war maniac" and accusing him of "whispering war" into Trump's ears, referring to Washington's approach towards the Middle East and South America.

Calling the hawkish official "structurally faulty", he added that Bolton was working to "destroy peace and security".

"Such human defect must go away as soon as possible," the spokesman said.

The statement came just minutes after Trump -- on a visit to Japan -- said there was "great respect" between the United States and North Korea and predicted "lots of good things".

Trump expressed confidence in his relationship with Kim at the weekend and downplayed Pyongyang's recent missile launches, calling them "small weapons" that "disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me".

Last week, KCNA launched a diatribe against Democratic former US vice president Joe Biden, calling him an "imbecile" and a "fool of low IQ", prompting White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders to say that Trump agreed with the assessment.

Watch: North Korea demands immediate return of Cargo Ship seized by US

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North Korea slammed US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Monday, calling him a "human defect" that had to be banished, just as President Donald Trump offered a positive outlook on relations with Pyongyang.

North Korea slammed US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Monday, calling him a "human defect" that had to be banished, just as President Donald Trump offered a positive outlook on relations with Pyongyang. Talks between Washington and Pyongyang have been deadlocked since the collapse of a summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi in February when they failed to agree a deal on denuclearisation. The North has since sought to raise the pressure and carried out two short-range missile tests earlier this month. Bolton said Saturday there was "no doubt" they violated UN Security Council resolutions against ballistic missile launches, but insisted Washington was still ready to resume talks. A spokesman for the North's foreign ministry dismissed Bolton's remarks, saying Pyongyang had never accepted the UN bans on ballistic technology, which denied its "rights as a sovereign nation". "Bolton said our regular military drills violated UNSC resolutions, which is beyond stupid," he said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Without referring to the weapons as missiles, the statement said the launches did not target or threaten any neighbouring countries. "Banning launches using ballistic technology is equal to telling us to give up our right to self-defence," he added. The spokesman went on to denounce Bolton, calling him a "war maniac" and accusing him of "whispering war" into Trump's ears, referring to Washington's approach towards the Middle East and South America. Calling the hawkish official "structurally faulty", he added that Bolton was working to "destroy peace and security". "Such human defect must go away as soon as possible," the spokesman said. The statement came just minutes after Trump -- on a visit to Japan -- said there was "great respect" between the United States and North Korea and predicted "lots of good things". Trump expressed confidence in his relationship with Kim at the weekend and downplayed Pyongyang's recent missile launches, calling them "small weapons" that "disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me". Last week, KCNA launched a diatribe against Democratic former US vice president Joe Biden, calling him an "imbecile" and a "fool of low IQ", prompting White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders to say that Trump agreed with the assessment. Watch: North Korea demands immediate return of Cargo Ship seized by US ×

North Korea calls US National Security Advisor John Bolton 'human defect'

Prime minister elect-Narendra Modi received a congratulatory message from Kim Jae Ryong, Premier of the Cabinet in North Korea. Ryong congratulated Modi on being elected to office for the second term, the ministry of external affairs tweeted.&nbsp;

Modi has been getting calls, letters and congratulatory&nbsp;tweets from world leaders after his victory on 23rd May.&nbsp;

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Kim Jae Ryong, Premier of the Cabinet in DPRK congratulated PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> on being elected to office for the second term.
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1132978735576211460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In recent years, India has maintained steady exchanges with North Korea. Last year, Minister of state in Ministry of External Affairs Gen VK Singh had visited the country and met Foreign Minister Ri Yong. This was the first high-level visit by anyone from India in the last 20 years.

During the visit, India reiterated its support to the joint peace initiative of north and south Korean leadership and lauded both sides for their efforts towards the establishment of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula", an MEA release last year said.

North Korean foreign minister visited India in April of &nbsp;2015. This was the first ever visit by DPRK Foreign Minister to India.&nbsp;

During the visit, he had a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He also had interactions with the Indian business community.&nbsp;

India and DPRK established formal diplomatic relations on 10 December 1973 and 2018 marked the 45th year of establishment of diplomatic relations. 
&nbsp;

Prime minister elect-Narendra Modi received a congratulatory message from Kim Jae Ryong, Premier of the Cabinet in North Korea. Ryong congratulated Modi on being elected to office for the second term, the ministry of external affairs tweeted.

Prime minister elect-Narendra Modi received a congratulatory message from Kim Jae Ryong, Premier of the Cabinet in North Korea. Ryong congratulated Modi on being elected to office for the second term, the ministry of external affairs tweeted. Modi has been getting calls, letters and congratulatory tweets from world leaders after his victory on 23rd May. Kim Jae Ryong, Premier of the Cabinet in DPRK congratulated PM @narendramodi on being elected to office for the second term. — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 27, 2019 × In recent years, India has maintained steady exchanges with North Korea. Last year, Minister of state in Ministry of External Affairs Gen VK Singh had visited the country and met Foreign Minister Ri Yong. This was the first high-level visit by anyone from India in the last 20 years. During the visit, India reiterated its support to the joint peace initiative of north and south Korean leadership and lauded both sides for their efforts towards the establishment of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula", an MEA release last year said. North Korean foreign minister visited India in April of 2015. This was the first ever visit by DPRK Foreign Minister to India. During the visit, he had a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He also had interactions with the Indian business community. India and DPRK established formal diplomatic relations on 10 December 1973 and 2018 marked the 45th year of establishment of diplomatic relations.

North Korea congratulates Modi on his election victory

The United States is not seeking regime change in Iran, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-becomes-first-foreign-leader-to-meet-japans-new-emperor-221846">President Donald Trump </a>said Monday, as tensions between the two countries rise with Washington deploying troops to the region.

"I know so many people from Iran, these are great people, it has a chance to be a great country, with the same leadership," Trump said at a press conference in Tokyo where he is on a state visit.

"We're not looking for regime change, I just want to make that clear. We're looking for no nuclear weapons."

"I'm not looking to hurt Iran at all," added Trump.

The United States on Friday said it was deploying 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East to counter "credible threats" from Tehran, the latest step in a series of military escalations.

Tensions have been rising between Washington and Tehran since Trump's decision last year to withdraw from an international nuclear deal with Iran and reimpose sanctions on the oil producer.

The US president reiterated Monday his criticism of that "horrible Iran deal" but said he was open to new negotiations.

"I think we'll make a deal," he said at the press conference alongside <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-shinzo-abe-calls-for-strengthing-ties-with-india-221913">Prime Minister Shinzo Abe</a>.

Hours earlier, Trump had insisted: "I do believe that Iran would like to talk, and if they'd like to talk, we'd like to talk also."

Trump sounded a similarly conciliatory tone on North Korea, a key topic of his discussions in Japan, which views Pyongyang as a major threat.

The US leader, who has had two rounds of talks with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, described him as a "very smart" man who knew he needed to denuclearise.

"He knows that with nuclear... only bad can happen. He is a very smart man, he gets it well," said Trump, who repeated that North Korea has "tremendous economic potential".

And he once again dismissed missile launches earlier this month by Pyongyang that National Security Advisor John Bolton has said were a violation of UN resolutions.

"My people think it could have been a violation... I view it as a man who perhaps wants to get attention," Trump said.

Abe reiterated his willingness to meet with Kim himself, in particular, to raise the issue of Japanese citizens kidnapped by Pyongyang, and said Trump backed his push to hold direct talks.

In addition to North Korea, Trump and Abe have been focused on trade, with Washington and Tokyo locked in negotiations to reduce what the US president calls an "unbelievably large trade imbalance".

Trump has said a final deal will not come until after Japan's upper house elections in July, but said he expected an agreement that would "benefit both of our economies".

He also said that Japan has "just announced its intent to purchase 105 brand new F35 stealth aircraft".

"This purchase would give Japan the largest F35 fleet of any US ally," Trump added.

The US president said he there was a "very good" chance of clinching a trade deal with China, despite recent retaliatory measures between the world's top economies.

"I think sometime in the future, China and the US will have a great trade deal and we look forward to that," Trump said.

The United States is not seeking regime change in Iran, President Donald Trump said Monday, as tensions between the two countries rise with Washington deploying troops to the region.

The United States is not seeking regime change in Iran, President Donald Trump said Monday, as tensions between the two countries rise with Washington deploying troops to the region. "I know so many people from Iran, these are great people, it has a chance to be a great country, with the same leadership," Trump said at a press conference in Tokyo where he is on a state visit. "We're not looking for regime change, I just want to make that clear. We're looking for no nuclear weapons." "I'm not looking to hurt Iran at all," added Trump. The United States on Friday said it was deploying 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East to counter "credible threats" from Tehran, the latest step in a series of military escalations. Tensions have been rising between Washington and Tehran since Trump's decision last year to withdraw from an international nuclear deal with Iran and reimpose sanctions on the oil producer. The US president reiterated Monday his criticism of that "horrible Iran deal" but said he was open to new negotiations. "I think we'll make a deal," he said at the press conference alongside Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Hours earlier, Trump had insisted: "I do believe that Iran would like to talk, and if they'd like to talk, we'd like to talk also." Trump sounded a similarly conciliatory tone on North Korea, a key topic of his discussions in Japan, which views Pyongyang as a major threat. The US leader, who has had two rounds of talks with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, described him as a "very smart" man who knew he needed to denuclearise. "He knows that with nuclear... only bad can happen. He is a very smart man, he gets it well," said Trump, who repeated that North Korea has "tremendous economic potential". And he once again dismissed missile launches earlier this month by Pyongyang that National Security Advisor John Bolton has said were a violation of UN resolutions. "My people think it could have been a violation... I view it as a man who perhaps wants to get attention," Trump said. Abe reiterated his willingness to meet with Kim himself, in particular, to raise the issue of Japanese citizens kidnapped by Pyongyang, and said Trump backed his push to hold direct talks. In addition to North Korea, Trump and Abe have been focused on trade, with Washington and Tokyo locked in negotiations to reduce what the US president calls an "unbelievably large trade imbalance". Trump has said a final deal will not come until after Japan's upper house elections in July, but said he expected an agreement that would "benefit both of our economies". He also said that Japan has "just announced its intent to purchase 105 brand new F35 stealth aircraft". "This purchase would give Japan the largest F35 fleet of any US ally," Trump added. The US president said he there was a "very good" chance of clinching a trade deal with China, despite recent retaliatory measures between the world's top economies. "I think sometime in the future, China and the US will have a great trade deal and we look forward to that," Trump said.

United States 'not looking for regime change' in Iran: Trump

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to express his "confidence" in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un despite Pyongyang's recent weapons tests and deadlocked nuclear talks.

Trump, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-urges-greater-japanese-investment-in-us-knocks-trade-advantage-221583">currently in Japan on a trip</a> aimed at improving ties with Washington's close Asian ally, also suggested that Kim was sending him a "signal" through a North Korean state media commentary on Joe Biden -- in which the former vice president was labelled an "imbecile" and a "fool of low IQ" for criticising Kim.

"North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me," Trump wrote on Twitter, apparently referring to weapons tests in early May.

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North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me. I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me, &amp; also smiled when he called Swampman Joe Bidan a low IQ individual, &amp; worse. Perhaps that’s sending me a signal?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1132413516063870977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Hours before Trump landed on Saturday, his hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton told local media there was "no doubt" Pyongyang's recent missile tests had<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-missile-test-violated-un-resolution-john-bolton-221446"> violated UN Security Council resolutions</a> but insisted Washington is still ready to resume talks.

But Trump tweeted,&nbsp;"I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me, &amp; also smiled when he called Swampman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-slams-joe-biden-for-criticising-leader-kim-jong-un-220519">Joe Biden [sic] a low IQ </a>individual, &amp; worse. Perhaps that's sending me a signal?"

North Korea is one of the top issues on the agenda as Trump meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles on May 9 following an earlier drill on May 4 -- the first in 18 months.

The North had not launched any missiles since November 2017, shortly before once-reclusive Kim embarked on diplomatic overtures.

In a historic first, Trump met with Kim in Singapore in June 2018, and again in Hanoi in February at a meeting that ended abruptly with no deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/all-ages-take-part-in-japanese-pillow-fighting-tournament-221589">Also read: All ages take part in Japanese pillow-fighting tournament</a>

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&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to express his "confidence" in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un despite Pyongyang's recent weapons tests and deadlocked nuclear talks.

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to express his "confidence" in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un despite Pyongyang's recent weapons tests and deadlocked nuclear talks. Trump, currently in Japan on a trip aimed at improving ties with Washington's close Asian ally, also suggested that Kim was sending him a "signal" through a North Korean state media commentary on Joe Biden -- in which the former vice president was labelled an "imbecile" and a "fool of low IQ" for criticising Kim. "North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me," Trump wrote on Twitter, apparently referring to weapons tests in early May. North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me. I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me, & also smiled when he called Swampman Joe Bidan a low IQ individual, & worse. Perhaps that’s sending me a signal? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2019 × Hours before Trump landed on Saturday, his hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton told local media there was "no doubt" Pyongyang's recent missile tests had violated UN Security Council resolutions but insisted Washington is still ready to resume talks. But Trump tweeted, "I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me, & also smiled when he called Swampman Joe Biden [sic] a low IQ individual, & worse. Perhaps that's sending me a signal?" North Korea is one of the top issues on the agenda as Trump meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles on May 9 following an earlier drill on May 4 -- the first in 18 months. The North had not launched any missiles since November 2017, shortly before once-reclusive Kim embarked on diplomatic overtures. In a historic first, Trump met with Kim in Singapore in June 2018, and again in Hanoi in February at a meeting that ended abruptly with no deal. Also read: All ages take part in Japanese pillow-fighting tournament ×

Donald Trump says still has 'confidence' in North Korea's Kim Jong-un

In response to Pyongyang`s statement that the dialogue between the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blames-us-for-failed-summit-urges-new-calculation-221306"> United States and North Korea </a>would not resume unless Washington comes up with " a new method of calculation," US State Department on Friday said that it remains open to holding talks with the communist country and is "very clear" about that position.

The State Department added the Trump administration sticks to the Singapore agreement signed by the leaders of the two countries, that committed to the complete denuclearisation of the North and building a lasting peace, reported Yonhap news agency.

North Korea has upped its criticism towards the United States, especially after Washington seized one of its cargo ships on suspicions of violating sanctions. Yesterday, Pyongyang blamed the US for the collapse of the second summit between the two countries in Vietnam.

"Unless the United States puts aside the current method of calculation and comes forward with a new method of calculation, the North Korea-US dialogue will never be resumed and by extension, the prospect for resolving the nuclear issue will be much gloomy," North Korea`s state news agency quoted the country`s spokesperson as saying.

The spokesperson also said that the US is attempting to shift the blame regarding the reigning impasse onto the reclusive state."We hereby make it clear once again that the United States would not be able to move us even an inch with the device it is now weighing in its mind, and the further its mistrust and hostile acts towards the DPRK grow, the fiercer our reaction will be," the official added.

In its response, the US State Department added that it is ready to have a constructive discussion with the North to advance the process "simultaneously and in parallel."Nuclear talks between the two countries hit a roadblock after the second summit in Vietnam ended abruptly with no joint statement earlier this year. The two sides reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions waivers.

North Korea has since launched multiple projectiles as a sign of their apparent frustration regarding the stalled talks and continuing sanctions.

&nbsp;

In response to Pyongyang`s statement that the dialogue between the United States and North Korea would not resume unless Washington comes up with " a new method of calculation," US State Department on Friday said that it remains open to holding talks with the communist country and is "very clear" about that position.

In response to Pyongyang`s statement that the dialogue between the United States and North Korea would not resume unless Washington comes up with " a new method of calculation," US State Department on Friday said that it remains open to holding talks with the communist country and is "very clear" about that position. The State Department added the Trump administration sticks to the Singapore agreement signed by the leaders of the two countries, that committed to the complete denuclearisation of the North and building a lasting peace, reported Yonhap news agency. North Korea has upped its criticism towards the United States, especially after Washington seized one of its cargo ships on suspicions of violating sanctions. Yesterday, Pyongyang blamed the US for the collapse of the second summit between the two countries in Vietnam. "Unless the United States puts aside the current method of calculation and comes forward with a new method of calculation, the North Korea-US dialogue will never be resumed and by extension, the prospect for resolving the nuclear issue will be much gloomy," North Korea`s state news agency quoted the country`s spokesperson as saying. The spokesperson also said that the US is attempting to shift the blame regarding the reigning impasse onto the reclusive state."We hereby make it clear once again that the United States would not be able to move us even an inch with the device it is now weighing in its mind, and the further its mistrust and hostile acts towards the DPRK grow, the fiercer our reaction will be," the official added. In its response, the US State Department added that it is ready to have a constructive discussion with the North to advance the process "simultaneously and in parallel."Nuclear talks between the two countries hit a roadblock after the second summit in Vietnam ended abruptly with no joint statement earlier this year. The two sides reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions waivers. North Korea has since launched multiple projectiles as a sign of their apparent frustration regarding the stalled talks and continuing sanctions.

Doors remain open for North Korea to resume talks: United States

Amid reconciliatory efforts for ensuring long-lasting peace with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blames-us-for-failed-summit-urges-new-calculation-221306">North Korea</a>, South Korea is set to hold a new civilian-military exercise from May 27 to 30, the country`s defence and interior ministries said on Friday.

The Ulchi Taegeuk exercise will have around 480,000 civilians, government officials and armed service members, Yonhap News Agency quoted the two ministries as saying.

It is meant to "strengthen the country`s crisis management capabilities in dealing with various safety and security threats, including terrorist attacks and large-scale natural disasters, as well as to ensure a readiness posture," they said.

The soon-to-be-launched military drills will combine two existing programmes -- the Taegeuk command post exercise led by the South Korean military and the government`s Ulchi exercise, which was part of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercise, according to the news report.

The UFG exercise, which was carried out jointly by the US and South Korea were temporarily suspended with Seoul saying it would create a new drill to boost peace-building efforts in the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea has repeatedly attacked South Korea and the US for their joint exercises, claiming that it was a "rehearsal" for invading the secretive communist nation. Both Seoul and Washington have rejected Pyongyang`s allegations, saying that the drills were defensive in nature.

Amid reconciliatory efforts for ensuring long-lasting peace with North Korea, South Korea is set to hold a new civilian-military exercise from May 27 to 30, the country`s defence and interior ministries said on Friday.

Amid reconciliatory efforts for ensuring long-lasting peace with North Korea, South Korea is set to hold a new civilian-military exercise from May 27 to 30, the country`s defence and interior ministries said on Friday. The Ulchi Taegeuk exercise will have around 480,000 civilians, government officials and armed service members, Yonhap News Agency quoted the two ministries as saying. It is meant to "strengthen the country`s crisis management capabilities in dealing with various safety and security threats, including terrorist attacks and large-scale natural disasters, as well as to ensure a readiness posture," they said. The soon-to-be-launched military drills will combine two existing programmes -- the Taegeuk command post exercise led by the South Korean military and the government`s Ulchi exercise, which was part of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercise, according to the news report. The UFG exercise, which was carried out jointly by the US and South Korea were temporarily suspended with Seoul saying it would create a new drill to boost peace-building efforts in the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has repeatedly attacked South Korea and the US for their joint exercises, claiming that it was a "rehearsal" for invading the secretive communist nation. Both Seoul and Washington have rejected Pyongyang`s allegations, saying that the drills were defensive in nature.

South Korea to hold new civilian-military exercise next week

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-biggest-issue-in-us-ties-is-impounded-ship-220662">North Korea </a>said on Friday an "arbitrary and dishonest" US&nbsp;position had resulted in the failure to reach a deal during a second <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-biggest-issue-in-us-ties-is-impounded-ship-220662/amp">North Korea-US</a>&nbsp;summit, warning the nuclear issue would never be resolved without a new approach.

A spokesman for North Korea`s foreign ministry accused the United States of trying to shift the blame for the breakdown of the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-officials-plan-to-bypass-congress-for-saudi-arms-sales-report-221244"> US President Donald Trump</a> in February by raising a "completely irrelevant issue". He did not elaborate.

"The underlying cause of setback of the DPRK-US&nbsp;summit talks in Hanoi is the arbitrary and dishonest position taken by the United States, insisting on a method which is totally impossible to get through," the unidentified spokesman said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.

"The United States would not be able to move us even an inch with the device it is now weighing in its mind, and the further its mistrust and hostile acts towards the DPRK grow, the fiercer our reaction will be."&nbsp;

The official was referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name - the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea.

The statement was the latest criticism of the United States since the failed summit in Vietnam, where Kim had sought sanctions relief in return for the partial dismantling of North Korea`s nuclear programme.

Trump called for a full roadmap for denuclearisation including the transfer of bombs to the United States.

Tension has again mounted in recent weeks. The North fired short-range missiles early this month and Washington unveiled the seizure of a North Korean ship suspected of illicit coal shipments in breach of sanctions.&nbsp;

Kim has set a year-end deadline for the United States to show more flexibility, but Trump and other US&nbsp;officials have brushed that aside, calling for Kim to take action on a commitment to denuclearise.

Unless the United States offered a new method of calculation, the stalled nuclear talks would never be restarted, the foreign ministry spokesman said. 
"And by extension, the prospect for resolving the nuclear issue will be much gloomier," the official said.&nbsp;

North Korea said on Friday an "arbitrary and dishonest" US position had resulted in the failure to reach a deal during a second North Korea-US summit, warning the nuclear issue would never be resolved without a new approach.

North Korea said on Friday an "arbitrary and dishonest" US position had resulted in the failure to reach a deal during a second North Korea-US summit, warning the nuclear issue would never be resolved without a new approach. A spokesman for North Korea`s foreign ministry accused the United States of trying to shift the blame for the breakdown of the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump in February by raising a "completely irrelevant issue". He did not elaborate. "The underlying cause of setback of the DPRK-US summit talks in Hanoi is the arbitrary and dishonest position taken by the United States, insisting on a method which is totally impossible to get through," the unidentified spokesman said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency. "The United States would not be able to move us even an inch with the device it is now weighing in its mind, and the further its mistrust and hostile acts towards the DPRK grow, the fiercer our reaction will be." The official was referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name - the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea. The statement was the latest criticism of the United States since the failed summit in Vietnam, where Kim had sought sanctions relief in return for the partial dismantling of North Korea`s nuclear programme. Trump called for a full roadmap for denuclearisation including the transfer of bombs to the United States. Tension has again mounted in recent weeks. The North fired short-range missiles early this month and Washington unveiled the seizure of a North Korean ship suspected of illicit coal shipments in breach of sanctions. Kim has set a year-end deadline for the United States to show more flexibility, but Trump and other US officials have brushed that aside, calling for Kim to take action on a commitment to denuclearise. Unless the United States offered a new method of calculation, the stalled nuclear talks would never be restarted, the foreign ministry spokesman said. "And by extension, the prospect for resolving the nuclear issue will be much gloomier," the official said.

North Korea blames US for failed summit, urges 'new calculation'

The United States,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stop-it-japans-smartphone-app-to-scare-off-molesters-become-smash-hit-220532"> Japan</a>, South Korea and Australia have kicked off "first-of-its-kind" naval drills near Guam, the US Navy said Thursday, amid mounting tensions with China and North Korea.

The "Pacific Vanguard" drill brings together more than 3,000 sailors from the four countries to "sharpen skills and strengthen practical cooperation at sea," the US Seventh Fleet said in a statement.

The drills will focus on "live fire exercises, defensive counter-air operations, anti-submarine warfare, and replenishment at sea," added the statement.

Australia has contributed two frigates to the exercise, Japan two destroyers and South Korea one destroyer. The USS Blue Ridge, the Seventh Fleet's flagship, will lead the operation from the US side.

With trade tensions growing between Washington and Beijing, China earlier this week denounced a US warship sail-by near disputed islands in the South China Sea.

And Guam, home to more than 160,000 people, was at the centre of nuclear tensions between Washington and Pyongyang in 2017, with<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missiles-like-these-will-start-the-war-north-korea-tests-showcase-growing-capability-217458"> North Korea threatening </a>to hit the US territory with "enveloping fire".

The United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia have kicked off "first-of-its-kind" naval drills near Guam, the US Navy said Thursday, amid mounting tensions with China and North Korea.

The United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia have kicked off "first-of-its-kind" naval drills near Guam, the US Navy said Thursday, amid mounting tensions with China and North Korea. The "Pacific Vanguard" drill brings together more than 3,000 sailors from the four countries to "sharpen skills and strengthen practical cooperation at sea," the US Seventh Fleet said in a statement. The drills will focus on "live fire exercises, defensive counter-air operations, anti-submarine warfare, and replenishment at sea," added the statement. Australia has contributed two frigates to the exercise, Japan two destroyers and South Korea one destroyer. The USS Blue Ridge, the Seventh Fleet's flagship, will lead the operation from the US side. With trade tensions growing between Washington and Beijing, China earlier this week denounced a US warship sail-by near disputed islands in the South China Sea. And Guam, home to more than 160,000 people, was at the centre of nuclear tensions between Washington and Pyongyang in 2017, with North Korea threatening to hit the US territory with "enveloping fire".

US, Japan and South Korea start 'first-of-its-kind' naval drill

The US&nbsp;seizure of a North Korean cargo ship is the biggest stumbling block to improving bilateral relations, a senior North Korean official said on Wednesday, warning Washington against using the "logic of strength" against Pyongyang.

The Trump administration must make a "big decision" on lifting sanctions before stalled nuclear negotiations can resume, Han Tae Song, North Korea`s ambassador to the UN&nbsp;in Geneva, added in an interview.

"It would be the greatest miscalculation if America thought my country is among the countries where American-style logic of strength or pressure might work," Han, who is also North Korea`s disarmament ambassador, told Reuters.

North Korea, under US&nbsp;and UN sanctions for its nuclear and missile programmes, has stepped up a campaign for the return of the ship, which Washington says it seized over accusations it was used for coal shipments in violation of the curbs.

The country has warned Washington that the impounding of the "Wise Honest" ship had violated its sovereignty and could affect "future developments" between the two countries.

"Yes, (it is) the biggest issue," Han said of the vessel, which US officials say is en route to American Samoa. "It is because it is the infringing upon the sovereignty of our country."

Han described the seizure as a "wanton violation of international law" and demanded its immediate return.

Han said he had no information on its cargo, but on the consequences of a US failure to return the ship, he said: "We don`t want, the Americans also don`t want and the international community don`t want the situation again worsening."

At their second summit meeting in February, talks broke down between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stalling moves toward denuclearisation.&nbsp;

Han said his country`s short-range missile tests carried out earlier in May were a "routine checking of our national defence capabilities", indicating that they would continue.

"WE ARE NOT OBSESSED" OVER MORE TALKS

The UN Security Council has unanimously strengthened sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, banning exports including coal, iron, lead, textiles and seafood, and capping imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products.

Asked whether North Korea was ready to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, Han referred to Kim`s speech to the Supreme People`s Assembly in April.

"If they don`t change their minds, if they don`t make a big decision, we are not obsessed over another round of talks with the USA, out of (being) thirsty for lifting sanctions," Han said.

"That`s why our leader said that if they made a big decision, there will be another round of talks with America."

Han said that North Korean grain production was lower last year following drought, leading to a "shortage of food".

UN&nbsp;agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), are providing food assistance, from donor contributions, he said.

"If there is food aid, it`s ok. But if there is no food aid, then we have to manage ourselves."

Asked whether the food shortages were manageable, he replied: "It is manageable, but the problem is UN sanctions.

"We can`t transact for importing the food through banking systems, that is the main problem."&nbsp;

The US seizure of a North Korean cargo ship is the biggest stumbling block to improving bilateral relations, a senior North Korean official said on Wednesday, warning Washington against using the "logic of strength" against Pyongyang.

The US seizure of a North Korean cargo ship is the biggest stumbling block to improving bilateral relations, a senior North Korean official said on Wednesday, warning Washington against using the "logic of strength" against Pyongyang. The Trump administration must make a "big decision" on lifting sanctions before stalled nuclear negotiations can resume, Han Tae Song, North Korea`s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, added in an interview. "It would be the greatest miscalculation if America thought my country is among the countries where American-style logic of strength or pressure might work," Han, who is also North Korea`s disarmament ambassador, told Reuters. North Korea, under US and UN sanctions for its nuclear and missile programmes, has stepped up a campaign for the return of the ship, which Washington says it seized over accusations it was used for coal shipments in violation of the curbs. The country has warned Washington that the impounding of the "Wise Honest" ship had violated its sovereignty and could affect "future developments" between the two countries. "Yes, (it is) the biggest issue," Han said of the vessel, which US officials say is en route to American Samoa. "It is because it is the infringing upon the sovereignty of our country." Han described the seizure as a "wanton violation of international law" and demanded its immediate return. Han said he had no information on its cargo, but on the consequences of a US failure to return the ship, he said: "We don`t want, the Americans also don`t want and the international community don`t want the situation again worsening." At their second summit meeting in February, talks broke down between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stalling moves toward denuclearisation. Han said his country`s short-range missile tests carried out earlier in May were a "routine checking of our national defence capabilities", indicating that they would continue. "WE ARE NOT OBSESSED" OVER MORE TALKS The UN Security Council has unanimously strengthened sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, banning exports including coal, iron, lead, textiles and seafood, and capping imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Asked whether North Korea was ready to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, Han referred to Kim`s speech to the Supreme People`s Assembly in April. "If they don`t change their minds, if they don`t make a big decision, we are not obsessed over another round of talks with the USA, out of (being) thirsty for lifting sanctions," Han said. "That`s why our leader said that if they made a big decision, there will be another round of talks with America." Han said that North Korean grain production was lower last year following drought, leading to a "shortage of food". UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), are providing food assistance, from donor contributions, he said. "If there is food aid, it`s ok. But if there is no food aid, then we have to manage ourselves." Asked whether the food shortages were manageable, he replied: "It is manageable, but the problem is UN sanctions. "We can`t transact for importing the food through banking systems, that is the main problem."

North Korea says 'biggest issue' in US ties is impounded ship

North Korean state media slammed former US vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lets-stop-fighting-start-fixing-biden-offers-anti-trump-theme-219725">Joe Biden for criticising leader Kim Jong Un</a>, calling him "bereft of elementary quality as a human being".

The criticism contrasts with North Korea's repeated references to the good relationship between Kim and US President Donald Trump. Kim said in April his personal relationship with Trump was still good despite the collapse of their second summit in Vietnam in February.

According to Newsweek, Biden said at a campaign launch in Philadelphia on Saturday: "Are we a nation that embraces dictators and tyrants like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and Kim Jong Un?"

State media the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) responded to criticism of the North's leadership in a commentary late on Tuesday.

"What he uttered is just sophism of an imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being, let alone a politician," it said.

KCNA listed previous controversies concerning Biden, including allegations of plagiarism and falling asleep during a speech by former President Barack Obama in 2011.

"We will never pardon anyone who dare provoke the supreme leadership of the DPRK but will certainly make them pay for it," KCNA said, using North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Denuclearisation talks have stalled since the breakdown of the second meeting between Trump and Kim in February and North Korea conducted more weapons tests this month.

The tests were seen as a protest by Kim after Trump rejected his calls for sanctions relief at the Hanoi summit.

North Korean state media slammed former US vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden for criticising leader Kim Jong Un, calling him "bereft of elementary quality as a human being".

North Korean state media slammed former US vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden for criticising leader Kim Jong Un, calling him "bereft of elementary quality as a human being". The criticism contrasts with North Korea's repeated references to the good relationship between Kim and US President Donald Trump. Kim said in April his personal relationship with Trump was still good despite the collapse of their second summit in Vietnam in February. According to Newsweek, Biden said at a campaign launch in Philadelphia on Saturday: "Are we a nation that embraces dictators and tyrants like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and Kim Jong Un?" State media the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) responded to criticism of the North's leadership in a commentary late on Tuesday. "What he uttered is just sophism of an imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being, let alone a politician," it said. KCNA listed previous controversies concerning Biden, including allegations of plagiarism and falling asleep during a speech by former President Barack Obama in 2011. "We will never pardon anyone who dare provoke the supreme leadership of the DPRK but will certainly make them pay for it," KCNA said, using North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Denuclearisation talks have stalled since the breakdown of the second meeting between Trump and Kim in February and North Korea conducted more weapons tests this month. The tests were seen as a protest by Kim after Trump rejected his calls for sanctions relief at the Hanoi summit.

North Korea slams Joe Biden for criticising leader Kim Jong Un

An international trade fair in North Korea this week may be the largest such event on record, analysts said on Tuesday, with hundreds of Chinese and other foreign vendors taking part despite sanctions pressure.

The 22nd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair opened on Monday with a ceremony hosted by top economic officials, North Korean state news agency KCNA reported.

More than 450 companies from North Korea, China, Russia, Pakistan, Poland and "other countries and regions" showcased a range of products at the fair, KCNA said.

That number would make it the largest trade fair hosted by North Korea, according to an analysis of state media announcements from 2007 to 2019 conducted by NK News, a website that tracks North Korean issues.

Last year, 260 companies reportedly participated in the spring fair, for example.

Among those taking part this year were at least 216 Chinese companies, NK News said in an analysis.

"The numbers tie into a lot of what we've seen recently demonstrating real Chinese interest in pushing ahead with business opportunities in North Korea, even though technically not much can go ahead under the current sanctions regime," said Oliver Hotham, managing editor of NK News.

North Korean officials opened the event by saying it was a chance to expedite trade, economic cooperation, and science and technology exchanges with the participating countries, state media reported.

Companies exploring doing business in North Korea walk a fine line.

Sanctions imposed over North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programmes would prohibit all joint ventures and most business with North Korea, analysts said, while some foreign business operations have previously said they were only preparing the ground for when sanctions are lifted.

Handbags and heaters

KCNA said among the products on show were "metal, electronics, machinery, building materials, transport, public health, light industry and food and consumer goods".

Photographs of the event published by both state media and international participants on social media showed vendors offering health supplements, flat screen televisions, handbags, air conditioners and heaters, clothes, kitchen appliances, and North Korean-brand SUVs, among other products.

"A wide range of sectors, and domestic products from North Korea as well as imports," said British ambassador to North Korea, Colin Crooks, in a post on Twitter.

"Most of the foreign exhibitors were from China."

Photos posted on Facebook by the Russian embassy in Pyongyang showed its ambassador, Alexander Matsegora, posing at a booth showcasing Russian pharmaceuticals.

Since last year, leader Kim Jong Un has embarked on a diplomatic campaign to try to get the sanctions lifted and allow him to jumpstart the economy.

Under Kim, North Korea has seen a rise in private markets and growing consumerism, but it faces tight political and economic control.

Kim's second summit with US President Donald Trump in February ended in an impasse, with Washington saying Kim had not offered to give up enough of his nuclear programme to warrant an easing of sanctions.

Since then, North Korea has expressed growing frustration, with negotiations stalled and tensions rising.

In a front-page commentary on Monday, North Korea's ruling party newspaper said sanctions were designed to create economic hardship and warned North Koreans not to depend on the restrictions being lifted.

State media and international aid organizations say that recent droughts and small harvests could lead to a serious shortage of food for many North Koreans this year.

An international trade fair in North Korea this week may be the largest such event on record, analysts said on Tuesday, with hundreds of Chinese and other foreign vendors taking part despite sanctions pressure.

An international trade fair in North Korea this week may be the largest such event on record, analysts said on Tuesday, with hundreds of Chinese and other foreign vendors taking part despite sanctions pressure. The 22nd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair opened on Monday with a ceremony hosted by top economic officials, North Korean state news agency KCNA reported. More than 450 companies from North Korea, China, Russia, Pakistan, Poland and "other countries and regions" showcased a range of products at the fair, KCNA said. That number would make it the largest trade fair hosted by North Korea, according to an analysis of state media announcements from 2007 to 2019 conducted by NK News, a website that tracks North Korean issues. Last year, 260 companies reportedly participated in the spring fair, for example. Among those taking part this year were at least 216 Chinese companies, NK News said in an analysis. "The numbers tie into a lot of what we've seen recently demonstrating real Chinese interest in pushing ahead with business opportunities in North Korea, even though technically not much can go ahead under the current sanctions regime," said Oliver Hotham, managing editor of NK News. North Korean officials opened the event by saying it was a chance to expedite trade, economic cooperation, and science and technology exchanges with the participating countries, state media reported. Companies exploring doing business in North Korea walk a fine line. Sanctions imposed over North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programmes would prohibit all joint ventures and most business with North Korea, analysts said, while some foreign business operations have previously said they were only preparing the ground for when sanctions are lifted. Handbags and heaters KCNA said among the products on show were "metal, electronics, machinery, building materials, transport, public health, light industry and food and consumer goods". Photographs of the event published by both state media and international participants on social media showed vendors offering health supplements, flat screen televisions, handbags, air conditioners and heaters, clothes, kitchen appliances, and North Korean-brand SUVs, among other products. "A wide range of sectors, and domestic products from North Korea as well as imports," said British ambassador to North Korea, Colin Crooks, in a post on Twitter. "Most of the foreign exhibitors were from China." Photos posted on Facebook by the Russian embassy in Pyongyang showed its ambassador, Alexander Matsegora, posing at a booth showcasing Russian pharmaceuticals. Since last year, leader Kim Jong Un has embarked on a diplomatic campaign to try to get the sanctions lifted and allow him to jumpstart the economy. Under Kim, North Korea has seen a rise in private markets and growing consumerism, but it faces tight political and economic control. Kim's second summit with US President Donald Trump in February ended in an impasse, with Washington saying Kim had not offered to give up enough of his nuclear programme to warrant an easing of sanctions. Since then, North Korea has expressed growing frustration, with negotiations stalled and tensions rising. In a front-page commentary on Monday, North Korea's ruling party newspaper said sanctions were designed to create economic hardship and warned North Koreans not to depend on the restrictions being lifted. State media and international aid organizations say that recent droughts and small harvests could lead to a serious shortage of food for many North Koreans this year.

Hundreds of foreign companies attend North Korea trade fair despite sanctions

North Korea stepped up its campaign on Tuesday for the United States to return a seized cargo ship belonging to Pyongyang, warning Washington that it had violated its sovereignty in a move that could affect "future developments" between the countries.

North Korea's UN Ambassador Kim Song held a rare news conference at the United Nations in New York to demand the immediate return of the ship, which the United States said earlier this month it had seized over accusations it was used for coal shipments in violation of US and UN sanctions.

"The United States should deliberate and think over the consequences its outrageous act might have on the future developments. Also, the United States must return our cargo ship without delay," Kim said. "We regard it as part of our territory where our sovereignty is fully exercised."

He said the seizure of the ship, known as the "Wise Honest," defied the spirit of a statement by US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after their first meeting in Singapore in June 2018. They pledged to build new ties between their countries and work toward North Korea's denuclearization.

The US Justice Department earlier this month said the ship was seized and impounded to American Samoa. The vessel was first detained by Indonesia in April 2018.

A second meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un in Hanoi broke down in February. With talks on denuclearization stalled, North Korea went ahead with more weapons tests this month. The tests were seen as a protest by Kim Jong Un after Trump rejected his calls for sanctions relief at the Hanoi summit.

The UN Security Council has unanimously strengthened sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, banning exports including coal, iron, lead, textiles and seafood, and capping imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products.

"We will carefully watch every move of the United States," said Kim.

Kim wrote to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday to ask him to take "urgent measures" over the issue. U.N spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday that the letter had been received.

"We're taking a look at it. The issue of sanctions, the implementation of sanctions, the interpretation of sanctions, is really a matter for the UN Security Council to decide and to discuss," he said.

North Korea stepped up its campaign on Tuesday for the United States to return a seized cargo ship belonging to Pyongyang, warning Washington that it had violated its sovereignty in a move that could affect "future developments" between the countries.

North Korea stepped up its campaign on Tuesday for the United States to return a seized cargo ship belonging to Pyongyang, warning Washington that it had violated its sovereignty in a move that could affect "future developments" between the countries. North Korea's UN Ambassador Kim Song held a rare news conference at the United Nations in New York to demand the immediate return of the ship, which the United States said earlier this month it had seized over accusations it was used for coal shipments in violation of US and UN sanctions. "The United States should deliberate and think over the consequences its outrageous act might have on the future developments. Also, the United States must return our cargo ship without delay," Kim said. "We regard it as part of our territory where our sovereignty is fully exercised." He said the seizure of the ship, known as the "Wise Honest," defied the spirit of a statement by US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after their first meeting in Singapore in June 2018. They pledged to build new ties between their countries and work toward North Korea's denuclearization. The US Justice Department earlier this month said the ship was seized and impounded to American Samoa. The vessel was first detained by Indonesia in April 2018. A second meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un in Hanoi broke down in February. With talks on denuclearization stalled, North Korea went ahead with more weapons tests this month. The tests were seen as a protest by Kim Jong Un after Trump rejected his calls for sanctions relief at the Hanoi summit. The UN Security Council has unanimously strengthened sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, banning exports including coal, iron, lead, textiles and seafood, and capping imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products. "We will carefully watch every move of the United States," said Kim. Kim wrote to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday to ask him to take "urgent measures" over the issue. U.N spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday that the letter had been received. "We're taking a look at it. The issue of sanctions, the implementation of sanctions, the interpretation of sanctions, is really a matter for the UN Security Council to decide and to discuss," he said.

North Korea warns US over seized ship at rare UN news conference

North Korea has asked United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to deal with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seizes-north-korean-cargo-ship-accused-of-violating-sanctions-217341">"illegal" seizure</a> of one of its cargo ships by the United States, a Reuters report&nbsp;stated quoting state media on Saturday.

"This act of dispossession has clearly indicated that the United States is indeed a gangster country that does not care at all about international laws," the North Korean ambassador to the United Nations said in a letter sent to Guterres dated Friday, according to North Korea's KCNA news agency.

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Pyongyang's protest to the United Nations over the seizure comes amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-ship-seizure-by-us-violates-spirit-of-trump-kim-summit-218542">mounting tensions</a> since the collapse of the&nbsp;second summit at Hanoi in February between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump, aimed at bringing about the denuclearisation of the North.&nbsp;

The letter also called for "urgent measures" by UN secretary&nbsp;and claimed that Washington infringed the North's sovereignty and violated UN charters.

US on May 9 announced the seizure of a North Korean cargo ship, saying it had violated international sanctions by exporting coal and importing machinery.

"Our office uncovered North Korea's scheme to export tons of high-grade coal to foreign buyers by concealing the origin of their ship, the Wise Honest," US attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement regarding the seizure of the ship.

(With inputs from Reuters)

North Korea has asked United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to deal with the "illegal" seizure of one of its cargo ships by the United States, a Reuters report stated quoting state media on Saturday.

North Korea has asked United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to deal with the "illegal" seizure of one of its cargo ships by the United States, a Reuters report stated quoting state media on Saturday. "This act of dispossession has clearly indicated that the United States is indeed a gangster country that does not care at all about international laws," the North Korean ambassador to the United Nations said in a letter sent to Guterres dated Friday, according to North Korea's KCNA news agency. × Pyongyang's protest to the United Nations over the seizure comes amid mounting tensions since the collapse of the second summit at Hanoi in February between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump, aimed at bringing about the denuclearisation of the North. The letter also called for "urgent measures" by UN secretary and claimed that Washington infringed the North's sovereignty and violated UN charters. US on May 9 announced the seizure of a North Korean cargo ship, saying it had violated international sanctions by exporting coal and importing machinery. "Our office uncovered North Korea's scheme to export tons of high-grade coal to foreign buyers by concealing the origin of their ship, the Wise Honest," US attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement regarding the seizure of the ship. (With inputs from Reuters)

North Korea asks UN chief to address 'illegal' seizure of one of its cargo ships by 'gangster' US

By Benjamin Habib&nbsp;

In recent days, North Korea has upped the ante in its standoff with the United States and South Korea, further highlighting the missed opportunity at February’s Hanoi summit aimed at bringing peace to the Korean peninsula.

Reports last Thursday suggest that a “projectile” was launched from the Sino-ri test site on North Korea’s west coast, flying approximately 420 kilometres. A flight path of this distance would suggest the projectile was a Hwasong-6 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), which the North has possessed for some time.

On May 4, North Korea tested a new missile that appeared to be a version of the Russian-made Iskander SRBM. According to 38 North, a North Korea analysis website, the strategic significance of the Iskander missile is its in-flight manoeuvrability and relatively low flight altitude, which allows it to evade most missile defence systems. With a range of approximately 280 kilometres, the Iskander missile is clearly intended for targets in South Korea.

The latest missile tests are a predictable reaction by the Kim regime to its diplomatic impasse with the United States. Tiny escalations are North Korea’s stock-in-trade response in situations where it is trying to extract concessions in an unfavourable negotiating dynamic.

How the White House responds from here is an open question. Every time North Korea needles the US with another provocation, it represents a loss of face for Trump and makes it harder for him to mobilise the domestic support in the US for a return to the negotiating table.

A familiar strategy from Kim Jong-un 
 
The Iskander short-range missile is new to North Korea’s missile arsenal and demonstrates the damage the North could do to South Korea in a war scenario – a veiled threat that is classic North Korean strategic signalling.

The tests were conducted on the heels of Kim Jong-un’s speech to the North Korean Supreme People’s Assembly on April 12, in which he indicated he will only wait until the end of the year for the US to change its diplomatic approach and return to negotiations for a peace agreement.

In the meantime, it would be unsurprising to see more short-range missile tests of this sort from the North. Short-range missile tests technically fall within Kim’s pledge at his first summit with Trump in Singapore last year not to conduct any further long-range inter-continental ballistic missiles.

If we get to 2020 without any substantive change in the Trump administration’s approach to North Korea, a reversion to North Korea’s belligerent behaviour of the past is likely: more nuclear tests, more long-range, inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests, ramping up production of fissile material and increasing its nuclear weapons arsenal.

This can be predicted with reasonable confidence, as Kim does not have many other options if he wants to move forward with his economic modernisation agenda.

In short, Kim will likely put a capital ‘N’ and ‘P’ on “nuclear proliferation” if he sees the door slamming shut on the summit process with Trump.

Trump boxed himself in at Hanoi

The US responded to Pyongyang’s latest missile launches late last week by suspending the program to repatriate America’s war dead from North Korea. However, US President Donald Trump tried to downplay the tests by saying he didn’t consider it a breach of trust.

With his all-or-nothing grand bargain gambit in Hanoi, Trump trapped himself in a box. He has expressed a strong personal desire to secure an agreement with Kim. But if he still wants a deal, he is going to work around their irreconcilable positions on the meaning of denuclearisation.

What this means is either Trump or Kim will have to blink. At this point, only one of them has room to compromise. Kim cannot afford to dramatically change tack and relinquish his nuclear program, as, from his perspective, the security and the legitimacy of his regime depends on its possession of “the bomb”.

As a result, the US will inevitably have to make the bulk of the concessions if this process is to move forward. The US is also in the better position to make concessions because of its overwhelming nuclear superiority, its effective deterrence posture and its status as a global power that is not existentially threatened in the same way that North Korea is.

Previous US administrations have been unwilling to shoulder this burden. Trump has. But every time North Korea tests a missile, it will further undermine Trump’s ability to cut a deal.

Competing voices within the White House are another complication. Hardliners like National Security Adviser John Bolton are arguing for a “maximum pressure” stance against Pyongyang, to squeeze North Korea until Kim makes concessions. To them, any deal with North Korea would represent a sell-out of US interests. North Korea criticised Bolton, in particular, for being a potential spoiler in the negotiations in Hanoi.

If negotiations break down, is conflict inevitable? 
 
The latest tensions have left South Korean leader Moon Jae-in scrambling to save the peace process. His government is urging the US to &nbsp;stay the course on engagement with the North, in spite of the recent missile provocations.

Moon has spent enormous political capital trying to reconcile with the North and bring lasting peace and security to the Korean peninsula. And the Blue House is well aware that the carefully constructed summit agreements of 2018 are teetering on the brink of collapse. There is no fortuitously timed Winter Olympics to provide a circuit-breaker to prevent tensions from escalating, either.

We have been here before. When tensions last reached a crescendo between the US and North Korea in 2017, threats of war from Washington were successful in cracking open the window for new possibilities.

After the unprecedented diplomatic activity of the last year, however, this strategy would not work again. If the US pursues “maximum pressure” against North Korea now, there is nowhere left to go besides conflict. 
 
(Benjamin Habib is Lecturer in International Relations, Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/north-korea-is-firing-missiles-again-does-diplomacy-still-have-a-chance-116956">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By Benjamin Habib In recent days, North Korea has upped the ante in its standoff with the United States and South Korea, further highlighting the missed opportunity at February’s Hanoi summit aimed at bringing peace to the Korean peninsula.

By Benjamin Habib In recent days, North Korea has upped the ante in its standoff with the United States and South Korea, further highlighting the missed opportunity at February’s Hanoi summit aimed at bringing peace to the Korean peninsula. Reports last Thursday suggest that a “projectile” was launched from the Sino-ri test site on North Korea’s west coast, flying approximately 420 kilometres. A flight path of this distance would suggest the projectile was a Hwasong-6 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), which the North has possessed for some time. On May 4, North Korea tested a new missile that appeared to be a version of the Russian-made Iskander SRBM. According to 38 North, a North Korea analysis website, the strategic significance of the Iskander missile is its in-flight manoeuvrability and relatively low flight altitude, which allows it to evade most missile defence systems. With a range of approximately 280 kilometres, the Iskander missile is clearly intended for targets in South Korea. The latest missile tests are a predictable reaction by the Kim regime to its diplomatic impasse with the United States. Tiny escalations are North Korea’s stock-in-trade response in situations where it is trying to extract concessions in an unfavourable negotiating dynamic. How the White House responds from here is an open question. Every time North Korea needles the US with another provocation, it represents a loss of face for Trump and makes it harder for him to mobilise the domestic support in the US for a return to the negotiating table. A familiar strategy from Kim Jong-un The Iskander short-range missile is new to North Korea’s missile arsenal and demonstrates the damage the North could do to South Korea in a war scenario – a veiled threat that is classic North Korean strategic signalling. The tests were conducted on the heels of Kim Jong-un’s speech to the North Korean Supreme People’s Assembly on April 12, in which he indicated he will only wait until the end of the year for the US to change its diplomatic approach and return to negotiations for a peace agreement. In the meantime, it would be unsurprising to see more short-range missile tests of this sort from the North. Short-range missile tests technically fall within Kim’s pledge at his first summit with Trump in Singapore last year not to conduct any further long-range inter-continental ballistic missiles. If we get to 2020 without any substantive change in the Trump administration’s approach to North Korea, a reversion to North Korea’s belligerent behaviour of the past is likely: more nuclear tests, more long-range, inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests, ramping up production of fissile material and increasing its nuclear weapons arsenal. This can be predicted with reasonable confidence, as Kim does not have many other options if he wants to move forward with his economic modernisation agenda. In short, Kim will likely put a capital ‘N’ and ‘P’ on “nuclear proliferation” if he sees the door slamming shut on the summit process with Trump. Trump boxed himself in at Hanoi The US responded to Pyongyang’s latest missile launches late last week by suspending the program to repatriate America’s war dead from North Korea. However, US President Donald Trump tried to downplay the tests by saying he didn’t consider it a breach of trust. With his all-or-nothing grand bargain gambit in Hanoi, Trump trapped himself in a box. He has expressed a strong personal desire to secure an agreement with Kim. But if he still wants a deal, he is going to work around their irreconcilable positions on the meaning of denuclearisation. What this means is either Trump or Kim will have to blink. At this point, only one of them has room to compromise. Kim cannot afford to dramatically change tack and relinquish his nuclear program, as, from his perspective, the security and the legitimacy of his regime depends on its possession of “the bomb”. As a result, the US will inevitably have to make the bulk of the concessions if this process is to move forward. The US is also in the better position to make concessions because of its overwhelming nuclear superiority, its effective deterrence posture and its status as a global power that is not existentially threatened in the same way that North Korea is. Previous US administrations have been unwilling to shoulder this burden. Trump has. But every time North Korea tests a missile, it will further undermine Trump’s ability to cut a deal. Competing voices within the White House are another complication. Hardliners like National Security Adviser John Bolton are arguing for a “maximum pressure” stance against Pyongyang, to squeeze North Korea until Kim makes concessions. To them, any deal with North Korea would represent a sell-out of US interests. North Korea criticised Bolton, in particular, for being a potential spoiler in the negotiations in Hanoi. If negotiations break down, is conflict inevitable? The latest tensions have left South Korean leader Moon Jae-in scrambling to save the peace process. His government is urging the US to stay the course on engagement with the North, in spite of the recent missile provocations. Moon has spent enormous political capital trying to reconcile with the North and bring lasting peace and security to the Korean peninsula. And the Blue House is well aware that the carefully constructed summit agreements of 2018 are teetering on the brink of collapse. There is no fortuitously timed Winter Olympics to provide a circuit-breaker to prevent tensions from escalating, either. We have been here before. When tensions last reached a crescendo between the US and North Korea in 2017, threats of war from Washington were successful in cracking open the window for new possibilities. After the unprecedented diplomatic activity of the last year, however, this strategy would not work again. If the US pursues “maximum pressure” against North Korea now, there is nowhere left to go besides conflict. (Benjamin Habib is Lecturer in International Relations, Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

North Korea missile tests: Does diplomacy still have a chance?

North Korea called US a seizure of North Korean cargo ship involved in banned coal exports an "unlawful robbery" and demanded the ship to be immediately returned.

North Korea demands immediate return of Cargo Ship seized by US

The United Nations on Monday said it was very concerned about acute food crisis in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/70-countries-urge-north-korea-to-scrap-nuclear-ballistic-weapons-217659">North Korea and the country</a> was in an urgent need of livelihoods assistance.

David Beasley, the head of the UN World Food Programme, appealed for donations to solve the crisis and vowed that he would ensure that the aid reaches the neediest people there.

Beasley was in Seoul to meet South Korean Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-Chul and discuss the findings of a recent joint report by WFP and Food and Agriculture Organization on the critical hunger situation in North Korea, the Ministry said in a statement.

The report stressed that some 10 million North Koreans (40 per cent of its population) face an imminent shortage of food, especially in the summer months preceding the next big harvest, due to the worst agricultural yield in a decade.

“We are very concerned about the situation there, and we are hopeful that we can come up with some solutions," Beasley told reporters after he met with the South Korean minister.

"Whatever we do, we will assure the donors that the food or any assistance will meet their objectives. We'll have monitoring systems in place," he added in statements reported by Yonhap news agency.

Beasley was referring to cases where food aid shipments sent in the past to North Korea were allegedly redirected to the army and the regime elites instead of reaching those who needed it the most.

The meeting comes after the South Korean government last week expressed its intention to provide food aid to its northern neighbour, with whom it remains technically at war since 1950.

According to the ministry, Beasley and Kim both agreed on the need to separate humanitarian and political issues in reference to the recent missile launches by North Korea amid a stagnancy in denuclearization talks.

Kim Yeon-Chul said he would analyze the possibility of activating nutritional support donation programs especially for children and pregnant women, adds the text.

The South Korean minister is expected to meet with representatives of civic and religious groups Tuesday to study an aid package.

In 2017, the South Korean government approved an aid package for the North valued at $8 million to be channelled through international agencies, although the package is yet to be sent due to the lack of progress in denuclearization dialogue.

The last time Seoul sent food assistance (5,000 tonnes of rice) to North Korea was in 2010.&nbsp;

The United Nations on Monday said it was very concerned about acute food crisis in North Korea and the country was in an urgent need of livelihoods assistance. David Beasley, the head of the UN World Food Programme, appealed for donations to solve the crisis and vowed that he would ensure that the aid reaches the neediest people there.

The United Nations on Monday said it was very concerned about acute food crisis in North Korea and the country was in an urgent need of livelihoods assistance. David Beasley, the head of the UN World Food Programme, appealed for donations to solve the crisis and vowed that he would ensure that the aid reaches the neediest people there. Beasley was in Seoul to meet South Korean Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-Chul and discuss the findings of a recent joint report by WFP and Food and Agriculture Organization on the critical hunger situation in North Korea, the Ministry said in a statement. The report stressed that some 10 million North Koreans (40 per cent of its population) face an imminent shortage of food, especially in the summer months preceding the next big harvest, due to the worst agricultural yield in a decade. “We are very concerned about the situation there, and we are hopeful that we can come up with some solutions," Beasley told reporters after he met with the South Korean minister. "Whatever we do, we will assure the donors that the food or any assistance will meet their objectives. We'll have monitoring systems in place," he added in statements reported by Yonhap news agency. Beasley was referring to cases where food aid shipments sent in the past to North Korea were allegedly redirected to the army and the regime elites instead of reaching those who needed it the most. The meeting comes after the South Korean government last week expressed its intention to provide food aid to its northern neighbour, with whom it remains technically at war since 1950. According to the ministry, Beasley and Kim both agreed on the need to separate humanitarian and political issues in reference to the recent missile launches by North Korea amid a stagnancy in denuclearization talks. Kim Yeon-Chul said he would analyze the possibility of activating nutritional support donation programs especially for children and pregnant women, adds the text. The South Korean minister is expected to meet with representatives of civic and religious groups Tuesday to study an aid package. In 2017, the South Korean government approved an aid package for the North valued at $8 million to be channelled through international agencies, although the package is yet to be sent due to the lack of progress in denuclearization dialogue. The last time Seoul sent food assistance (5,000 tonnes of rice) to North Korea was in 2010.

North Korea facing food shortage, says United Nations

North Korean missile launches over the past week have not affected Donald Trump's relationship with Kim Jong Un, the US president said Friday, in a change of course after initially expressing his dissatisfaction.

Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles Thursday following an earlier drill the previous Saturday -- the first in 18 months.

The North had not launched any missiles since November 2017, shortly before once reclusive Kim embarked on diplomatic overtures.

"I don't consider that a breach of trust at all. And, you know, at some point I may. But at this point no," Trump said in an interview with Politico.

"These were short-range missiles and very standard stuff. Very standard."

Twenty-four hours earlier, however, Trump showed his irritation and impatience on an issue where he hopes to succeed while all his predecessors -- Republicans and Democrats -- have failed.&nbsp;

"Nobody's happy about it," he told reporters, in reaction to the launches.

"We'll see what happens," Trump added. "I know they want to negotiate, they're talking about negotiating. But I don't think they are ready to negotiate."

Will the US president at some point lose faith in Kim? He has met twice with the North Korean leader and claimed that the two have a special friendship and even "love."

"I mean it's possible that at some point I will, but right now not at all," he told Politico.

'Undiminished threat'

The first face-to-face historic meeting between the two men in June 2018 in Singapore produced only a vague statement about denuclearization, allowing both sides to make very different interpretations of it.&nbsp;

February's second summit, in Hanoi, broke up without a deal after they failed to agree on what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief.

Since then, Kim has accused Washington of acting in "bad faith" and given it until the end of the year to change its approach.&nbsp;

North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the mouthpiece of the ruling party, devoted its entire front page and half of page two to the launch on Friday, with 16 pictures, the main one of Kim watching the launch from a camouflaged shelter.

Despite recent threats by the North to seek a new path, the nature and presentation of the two recent launches demonstrate that Pyongyang does not intend to walk away from talks any time soon, analysts say.

On Friday at the United Nations, 70 countries urged North Korea to scrap its nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and related programs, decrying the "undiminished threat" posed to world peace.

Signatories included the United States and South Korea, as well as nations in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe.

Russia and China, supporters of Pyongyang, did not sign the document drafted by France.

According to a diplomatic source, about 15 countries asked to sign on to the request for North Korean disarmament after the new missile firings.

North Korean missile launches over the past week have not affected Donald Trump's relationship with Kim Jong Un, the US president said Friday, in a change of course after initially expressing his dissatisfaction.

North Korean missile launches over the past week have not affected Donald Trump's relationship with Kim Jong Un, the US president said Friday, in a change of course after initially expressing his dissatisfaction. Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles Thursday following an earlier drill the previous Saturday -- the first in 18 months. The North had not launched any missiles since November 2017, shortly before once reclusive Kim embarked on diplomatic overtures. "I don't consider that a breach of trust at all. And, you know, at some point I may. But at this point no," Trump said in an interview with Politico. "These were short-range missiles and very standard stuff. Very standard." Twenty-four hours earlier, however, Trump showed his irritation and impatience on an issue where he hopes to succeed while all his predecessors -- Republicans and Democrats -- have failed. "Nobody's happy about it," he told reporters, in reaction to the launches. "We'll see what happens," Trump added. "I know they want to negotiate, they're talking about negotiating. But I don't think they are ready to negotiate." Will the US president at some point lose faith in Kim? He has met twice with the North Korean leader and claimed that the two have a special friendship and even "love." "I mean it's possible that at some point I will, but right now not at all," he told Politico. 'Undiminished threat' The first face-to-face historic meeting between the two men in June 2018 in Singapore produced only a vague statement about denuclearization, allowing both sides to make very different interpretations of it. February's second summit, in Hanoi, broke up without a deal after they failed to agree on what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, Kim has accused Washington of acting in "bad faith" and given it until the end of the year to change its approach. North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the mouthpiece of the ruling party, devoted its entire front page and half of page two to the launch on Friday, with 16 pictures, the main one of Kim watching the launch from a camouflaged shelter. Despite recent threats by the North to seek a new path, the nature and presentation of the two recent launches demonstrate that Pyongyang does not intend to walk away from talks any time soon, analysts say. On Friday at the United Nations, 70 countries urged North Korea to scrap its nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and related programs, decrying the "undiminished threat" posed to world peace. Signatories included the United States and South Korea, as well as nations in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe. Russia and China, supporters of Pyongyang, did not sign the document drafted by France. According to a diplomatic source, about 15 countries asked to sign on to the request for North Korean disarmament after the new missile firings.

North Korea's missile tests not 'breach of trust': US President Donald Trump

Seventy countries urged North Korea on Friday to scrap its nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and related programs, decrying the "undiminished threat" posed to world peace.

Signatories included the United States and South Korea, as well as nations in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe.

Russia and China, supporters of Pyongyang, did not sign the document drafted by France.

With two missile launches in a week, Pyongyang is walking a fine line between increasing pressure on the US and not derailing nuclear negotiations -- all while giving itself room to escalate, analysts say.

According to a diplomatic source, about 15 countries asked to sign on to the request for North Korean disarmament after the new missile firings.

The signatories "strongly deplore the grave and undiminished threat to regional and international peace and security posed by the ongoing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programmes that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has developed," the text said.

"We encourage the DPRK to avoid any provocation," it added. "We also call for the DPRK to continue discussions with the United States on denuclearization."

Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles Thursday following an earlier drill on Saturday. The North had not launched any since November 2017, shortly before leader Kim Jong Un embarked on diplomatic overtures.

Kim declared an end to the testing of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles during rapid rapprochement last year.

Seventy countries urged North Korea on Friday to scrap its nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and related programs, decrying the "undiminished threat" posed to world peace.

Seventy countries urged North Korea on Friday to scrap its nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and related programs, decrying the "undiminished threat" posed to world peace. Signatories included the United States and South Korea, as well as nations in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe. Russia and China, supporters of Pyongyang, did not sign the document drafted by France. With two missile launches in a week, Pyongyang is walking a fine line between increasing pressure on the US and not derailing nuclear negotiations -- all while giving itself room to escalate, analysts say. According to a diplomatic source, about 15 countries asked to sign on to the request for North Korean disarmament after the new missile firings. The signatories "strongly deplore the grave and undiminished threat to regional and international peace and security posed by the ongoing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programmes that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has developed," the text said. "We encourage the DPRK to avoid any provocation," it added. "We also call for the DPRK to continue discussions with the United States on denuclearization." Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles Thursday following an earlier drill on Saturday. The North had not launched any since November 2017, shortly before leader Kim Jong Un embarked on diplomatic overtures. Kim declared an end to the testing of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles during rapid rapprochement last year.

70 countries urge North Korea to scrap nuclear, ballistic weapons

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyril-ramaphosas-anc-win-closely-watched-south-africa-poll-with-absolute-majority-217627">Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC win closely-watched South Africa poll with absolute majority</a>

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's ruling ANC won re-election on Friday with an absolute majority in parliament, results showed, but with diminished support, complicating economic revival and anti-corruption efforts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-to-hold-more-trade-talks-with-us-in-beijing-217628">China says to hold more trade talks with US in Beijing</a>

China's top trade negotiator Liu He said on Friday in Washington that trade talks with the US would continue in Beijing but warned that there would be no concessions on "important principles".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/north-koreas-missile-tests-not-breach-of-trust-us-president-donald-trump-217629">North Korea's missile tests not 'breach of trust': US President Donald Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump said Friday that North Korea's recent missile tests were not a "breach of trust."

"They're short-range and I don't consider that a breach of trust at all. And, you know, at some point I may. But at this point no," he said in an interview with Politico.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-to-cooperate-closely-on-afghanistans-peace-efforts-217633">India, China to cooperate closely on Afghanistan's peace efforts</a>

India and China on Friday agreed to work closely on the ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The commitment came after Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun was on a visit to New Delhi, where he met Indian officials to discuss Afghanistan's current situation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sam-pitroda-was-out-of-line-he-should-apologise-rahul-gandhi-on-remark-on-1984-anti-sikh-riots-217630">Sam Pitroda was out of line, he should apologise: Rahul Gandhi on remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots</a>

Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked Sam Pitroda to apologise for his "happened, so what" remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

"I think what Sam Pitroda Ji said is completely out of line and he should apologise for it. I think 1984 was a needless tragedy that caused tremendous pain," Rahul said in a Facebook post on Friday asserting that "justice has to be done" and the people responsible for 1984 tragedy have to be punished.

&nbsp;

Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC win closely-watched South Africa poll with absolute majority South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's ruling ANC won re-election on Friday with an absolute majority in parliament, results showed, but with diminished support, complicating economic revival and anti-corruption efforts.

Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC win closely-watched South Africa poll with absolute majority South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's ruling ANC won re-election on Friday with an absolute majority in parliament, results showed, but with diminished support, complicating economic revival and anti-corruption efforts. China says to hold more trade talks with US in Beijing China's top trade negotiator Liu He said on Friday in Washington that trade talks with the US would continue in Beijing but warned that there would be no concessions on "important principles". North Korea's missile tests not 'breach of trust': US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump said Friday that North Korea's recent missile tests were not a "breach of trust." "They're short-range and I don't consider that a breach of trust at all. And, you know, at some point I may. But at this point no," he said in an interview with Politico. India, China to cooperate closely on Afghanistan's peace efforts India and China on Friday agreed to work closely on the ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. The commitment came after Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun was on a visit to New Delhi, where he met Indian officials to discuss Afghanistan's current situation. Sam Pitroda was out of line, he should apologise: Rahul Gandhi on remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked Sam Pitroda to apologise for his "happened, so what" remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots. "I think what Sam Pitroda Ji said is completely out of line and he should apologise for it. I think 1984 was a needless tragedy that caused tremendous pain," Rahul said in a Facebook post on Friday asserting that "justice has to be done" and the people responsible for 1984 tragedy have to be punished.

North Korea fires more missiles, U.S. announces ship seizure as tensions rises. Watch this video to know more.

U.S announces seizure of North Korean cargo ship

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seizes-north-korean-cargo-ship-accused-of-violating-sanctions-217341"> the situation in North Korea</a> "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles.

"We're looking at it very seriously right now. They were smaller missiles, short-range missiles -- nobody's happy about it," Trump told reporters.

"The relationship continues - but we'll see what happens," Trump added. "I know they want to negotiate, they're talking about negotiating, but I don't think they are ready to negotiate."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-fires-another-unidentified-projectile-217315/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a "long-range strike" drill, the state news agency reported on Friday, a day after South Korea said the weapons fired were short-range missiles.

"At the command post, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un learned about a plan of the strike drill of various long-range strike means and gave an order of start of the drill," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

 
Thursday's launch was the North's second weapons test in less than a week, amid tensions with the US over their fitful drive to reach an agreement under which North Korea would give up its nuclear weapons.

The North fired what appeared to be two short-range missiles from Kusong in North Pyongan province, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday.

The new KCNA statement did not say what kind of weapon was fired. It avoided using the words missile, rocket or projectile.

"The successful drill of deployment and strike designed to inspect the ability of rapid reaction of the defense units... fully showed the might of the units which were fully prepared to proficiently carry out any operation and combat," KCNA said.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles. "We're looking at it very seriously right now. They were smaller missiles, short-range missiles -- nobody's happy about it," Trump told reporters. "The relationship continues - but we'll see what happens," Trump added. "I know they want to negotiate, they're talking about negotiating, but I don't think they are ready to negotiate." North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a "long-range strike" drill, the state news agency reported on Friday, a day after South Korea said the weapons fired were short-range missiles. "At the command post, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un learned about a plan of the strike drill of various long-range strike means and gave an order of start of the drill," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Thursday's launch was the North's second weapons test in less than a week, amid tensions with the US over their fitful drive to reach an agreement under which North Korea would give up its nuclear weapons. The North fired what appeared to be two short-range missiles from Kusong in North Pyongan province, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday. The new KCNA statement did not say what kind of weapon was fired. It avoided using the words missile, rocket or projectile. "The successful drill of deployment and strike designed to inspect the ability of rapid reaction of the defense units... fully showed the might of the units which were fully prepared to proficiently carry out any operation and combat," KCNA said.

Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-recent-rocket-drill-was-regular-and-self-defensive-217093">North Korea`s second missile </a>test on Thursday signals it is serious about developing new, short-range weapons that could be used early and effectively in any war with South Korea and the United States, analysts studying images of the latest launches say.

Last week, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-confident-north-koreas-kim-wont-break-promise-215949&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwixxeDVu5DiAhWHro8KHe-tADYQFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0LhzdUqfMCnUZdUBYQMyqN">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un </a>oversaw the first flight of a previously untested weapon - a relatively small, fast missile experts believe will be easier to hide, launch, and manoeuvre in flight.&nbsp;

Photos released by state media on Friday showed Thursday`s test involved the same weapon.

The tests have increased tensions after the last US-North Korea summit collapsed in February in Hanoi with no agreement over Pyongyang`s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programme.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said late on Thursday the launches seemed like a protest over the failed summit, while North Korea has defended the tests as routine and self-defensive.

Some analysts say the multiple tests show the missiles aren`t only for political show.

"This second test solidifies that these launches are not just to stir the pot and elicit a US response to resume negotiations," said Grace Liu, one of a team of missile experts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) in California. "They are developing a reliable, operable missile that can defeat missile defences and conduct a precision strike in South Korea."

DEFEATING MISSILE DEFENCES

The US&nbsp;and South Korean responses to the launches have been muted, with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and other officials emphasising the missiles are not the large, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the United States.

But analysts said the military applications of the new missiles should not be underestimated.

"The Trump administration keeps downplaying these missiles because they are not ICBMs, but even though they can’t reach the US mainland, it’s missiles like these that will start the war," said Melissa Hanham, a weapons expert at Datayo, which tracks international security threats.&nbsp;

"They are small, easy to hide, easy to manoeuvre and you can’t tell what kind of warhead they are carrying. They could carry a nuclear weapon."

In a preliminary report on Wednesday, the North Korea tracking website 38 North said the new missile looks similar to Russia`s SS-26 Iskander missile and could exploit gaps in South Korean and American missile defence coverage.

The United States and South Korea field Patriot and THAAD missile batteries designed to shoot down various ballistic and cruise missiles, but their capabilities have been disputed.&nbsp;

While the origin of the North Korean missile remains unclear, a team of analysts at CNS told Reuters that Thursday`s test confirmed the missile is capable of manoeuvring to elude defences and protect its launch crew from detection.

"You can tell from the low apogee that this missile manoeuvres a bit in a boost to defeat missile defences and aircraft hunting the launcher," said Jeffrey Lewis of CNS.&nbsp;

Michael Duitsman, a rocket propulsion expert with the team, said North Korean state media photos of the launch show likely thrust vanes and steerable fins that guide the missile with precision and allow it to manoeuvre through much of its flight.

While Saturday`s missile was fired from a transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle with wheels, Thursday`s test featured a tracked vehicle.

Use of a tracked vehicle, which North Korea has more experience building, suggests it may plan to deploy a large number of the missiles and launchers, said Joshua Pollack, editor of The Nonproliferation Review.

"This seems to be their only mass-production option for highly capable TELs at the moment," he said.&nbsp;

The missile uses solid fuel, which allows the weapon to be easily moved and fired more quickly than those using liquid fuel, analysts said.

In the end, the new missiles add a new level of unpredictability to an already tense situation, Hanham said.&nbsp;

"If North Korea pulls out (an ICBM) everyone knows it’ll be launched with a nuke," she said. "These little missiles you don’t know, so it’s hard to be prepared."&nbsp;

POLITICAL SHOCKWAVES

The new weapon`s manoeuvrability and low flying have led some South Korean officials to hesitate to label the weapon a "ballistic missile," a weapon that would likely violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.

"Given its low altitude, more careful analysis is required," said ruling party lawmaker Ahn Gyu-baek, citing military officials. "One should also be careful to not aggravate the situation with hasty actions."&nbsp;

Ahn said South Korean military officials had assessed a number of potential political motives behind the missile launches. Those included increasing pressure for sanctions relief, and protesting Seoul`s military buildup including the purchase of new F-35 fighter aircraft as well as joint military drills by the United States and South Korea, which North Korea complained about in statements defending the tests.&nbsp;

The tests also likely held a message for domestic audiences designed to boost support for Kim`s government, he said.

"The Kim regime is determined to fight pressure with pressure," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "It is threatening to raise regional tensions and create political problems for Moon and Trump if not offered economic concessions it failed to win in Hanoi."

While Kim may not return to launching ICBMs or testing nuclear weapons immediately, he may seek other provocative ways to break the stalemate, Pollack said.

"Kim Jong Un has given the United States until the end of the year to rethink its approach," he said. "But if they don’t get a meaningful response to these tests, maybe they’ll try to push the envelope further."

North Korea`s second missile test on Thursday signals it is serious about developing new, short-range weapons that could be used early and effectively in any war with South Korea and the United States, analysts studying images of the latest launches say.

North Korea`s second missile test on Thursday signals it is serious about developing new, short-range weapons that could be used early and effectively in any war with South Korea and the United States, analysts studying images of the latest launches say. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the first flight of a previously untested weapon - a relatively small, fast missile experts believe will be easier to hide, launch, and manoeuvre in flight. Photos released by state media on Friday showed Thursday`s test involved the same weapon. The tests have increased tensions after the last US-North Korea summit collapsed in February in Hanoi with no agreement over Pyongyang`s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programme. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said late on Thursday the launches seemed like a protest over the failed summit, while North Korea has defended the tests as routine and self-defensive. Some analysts say the multiple tests show the missiles aren`t only for political show. "This second test solidifies that these launches are not just to stir the pot and elicit a US response to resume negotiations," said Grace Liu, one of a team of missile experts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) in California. "They are developing a reliable, operable missile that can defeat missile defences and conduct a precision strike in South Korea." DEFEATING MISSILE DEFENCES The US and South Korean responses to the launches have been muted, with US President Donald Trump and other officials emphasising the missiles are not the large, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the United States. But analysts said the military applications of the new missiles should not be underestimated. "The Trump administration keeps downplaying these missiles because they are not ICBMs, but even though they can’t reach the US mainland, it’s missiles like these that will start the war," said Melissa Hanham, a weapons expert at Datayo, which tracks international security threats. "They are small, easy to hide, easy to manoeuvre and you can’t tell what kind of warhead they are carrying. They could carry a nuclear weapon." In a preliminary report on Wednesday, the North Korea tracking website 38 North said the new missile looks similar to Russia`s SS-26 Iskander missile and could exploit gaps in South Korean and American missile defence coverage. The United States and South Korea field Patriot and THAAD missile batteries designed to shoot down various ballistic and cruise missiles, but their capabilities have been disputed. While the origin of the North Korean missile remains unclear, a team of analysts at CNS told Reuters that Thursday`s test confirmed the missile is capable of manoeuvring to elude defences and protect its launch crew from detection. "You can tell from the low apogee that this missile manoeuvres a bit in a boost to defeat missile defences and aircraft hunting the launcher," said Jeffrey Lewis of CNS. Michael Duitsman, a rocket propulsion expert with the team, said North Korean state media photos of the launch show likely thrust vanes and steerable fins that guide the missile with precision and allow it to manoeuvre through much of its flight. While Saturday`s missile was fired from a transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle with wheels, Thursday`s test featured a tracked vehicle. Use of a tracked vehicle, which North Korea has more experience building, suggests it may plan to deploy a large number of the missiles and launchers, said Joshua Pollack, editor of The Nonproliferation Review. "This seems to be their only mass-production option for highly capable TELs at the moment," he said. The missile uses solid fuel, which allows the weapon to be easily moved and fired more quickly than those using liquid fuel, analysts said. In the end, the new missiles add a new level of unpredictability to an already tense situation, Hanham said. "If North Korea pulls out (an ICBM) everyone knows it’ll be launched with a nuke," she said. "These little missiles you don’t know, so it’s hard to be prepared." POLITICAL SHOCKWAVES The new weapon`s manoeuvrability and low flying have led some South Korean officials to hesitate to label the weapon a "ballistic missile," a weapon that would likely violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. "Given its low altitude, more careful analysis is required," said ruling party lawmaker Ahn Gyu-baek, citing military officials. "One should also be careful to not aggravate the situation with hasty actions." Ahn said South Korean military officials had assessed a number of potential political motives behind the missile launches. Those included increasing pressure for sanctions relief, and protesting Seoul`s military buildup including the purchase of new F-35 fighter aircraft as well as joint military drills by the United States and South Korea, which North Korea complained about in statements defending the tests. The tests also likely held a message for domestic audiences designed to boost support for Kim`s government, he said. "The Kim regime is determined to fight pressure with pressure," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "It is threatening to raise regional tensions and create political problems for Moon and Trump if not offered economic concessions it failed to win in Hanoi." While Kim may not return to launching ICBMs or testing nuclear weapons immediately, he may seek other provocative ways to break the stalemate, Pollack said. "Kim Jong Un has given the United States until the end of the year to rethink its approach," he said. "But if they don’t get a meaningful response to these tests, maybe they’ll try to push the envelope further."

'Missiles like these will start the war': North Korea tests showcase growing capability

The United States on Thursday announced the seizure of a North Korean cargo ship, saying it had violated international sanctions by exporting coal and importing machinery.

"Our office uncovered North Korea's scheme to export tons of high-grade coal to foreign buyers by concealing the origin of their ship, the Wise Honest," US attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement.

"This scheme not only allowed North Korea to evade sanctions, but the Wise Honest was also used to import heavy machinery to North Korea," Berman said.

The ship, which was first confiscated by other foreign maritime authorities in Indonesia in April 2018, is now in the possession of the United States and is currently approaching US&nbsp;territorial waters, a Justice Department official said.

The 17,061-ton ship, which also was used to deliver heavy machinery to North Korea, is one of the country's largest bulk carriers, the Justice Department said.

The case marks the first time the United States has seized a North Korean cargo vessel for violating sanctions.

According to UN&nbsp;sanctions monitors, the Wise Honest was transporting 25,500 tons of coal when it was detained by Indonesia in April 2018.

The UN&nbsp;report estimated that the value of the ship's coal cargo was around $3 million.

The United States on Thursday announced the seizure of a North Korean cargo ship, saying it had violated international sanctions by exporting coal and importing machinery.

The United States on Thursday announced the seizure of a North Korean cargo ship, saying it had violated international sanctions by exporting coal and importing machinery. "Our office uncovered North Korea's scheme to export tons of high-grade coal to foreign buyers by concealing the origin of their ship, the Wise Honest," US attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement. "This scheme not only allowed North Korea to evade sanctions, but the Wise Honest was also used to import heavy machinery to North Korea," Berman said. The ship, which was first confiscated by other foreign maritime authorities in Indonesia in April 2018, is now in the possession of the United States and is currently approaching US territorial waters, a Justice Department official said. The 17,061-ton ship, which also was used to deliver heavy machinery to North Korea, is one of the country's largest bulk carriers, the Justice Department said. The case marks the first time the United States has seized a North Korean cargo vessel for violating sanctions. According to UN sanctions monitors, the Wise Honest was transporting 25,500 tons of coal when it was detained by Indonesia in April 2018. The UN report estimated that the value of the ship's coal cargo was around $3 million.

US seizes North Korean cargo ship accused of violating sanctions

North Korea fired two short-range missiles Thursday, South Korea said, an act of defiance that marks the country’s second test launch of weapons in less than a week.

North Korea fires another unidentified projectile

South Korea President Moon Jae-in on Thursday said that North Korea's latest missile launch was probably a subdued protest against the United States after a failed summit of the two countries' leaders in Hanoi in February, reported news agencyReuters.

"North Korea fired unidentified projectiles eastward" from Sino-ri in North Pyongan province, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) said in a statement.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-several-unidentified-projectiles-eastward-217222">projectile was fired</a> at about 4:30pm (0730 GMT) from a location in North Korea's northwest toward the east.&nbsp;

"North Korea seemed to be discontented it could not reach a deal in Hanoi," Moon said in an interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS.

But the North appeared to have refrained from using weapons that directly threaten the United States, the Reuters report said quoting Moon.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

South Korea President Moon Jae-in on Thursday said that North Korea's latest missile launch was probably a subdued protest against the United States after a failed summit of the two countries' leaders in Hanoi in February, reported news agencyReuters.

South Korea President Moon Jae-in on Thursday said that North Korea's latest missile launch was probably a subdued protest against the United States after a failed summit of the two countries' leaders in Hanoi in February, reported news agencyReuters. "North Korea fired unidentified projectiles eastward" from Sino-ri in North Pyongan province, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) said in a statement. The projectile was fired at about 4:30pm (0730 GMT) from a location in North Korea's northwest toward the east. "North Korea seemed to be discontented it could not reach a deal in Hanoi," Moon said in an interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS. But the North appeared to have refrained from using weapons that directly threaten the United States, the Reuters report said quoting Moon. (With inputs from Reuters)

South Korea President Moon says North Korea's missile launch was a protest after failed Trump summit 

North Korea has launched multiple projectiles towards the east from Pyongan province. Watch this video to know more.

North Korea launches multiple projectiles

North Korea fired a number of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-recent-rocket-drill-was-regular-and-self-defensive-217093">unidentified projectiles</a> on Thursday, South Korea's military said.

"North Korea fired unidentified projectiles eastward" from Sino-ri in North Pyongan province, South Korea's&nbsp;Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) said in a statement.

The projectile was fired at about 4:30pm&nbsp;(0730 GMT) from a location in North Korea's northwest toward the east, South Korea's&nbsp;JCS said in a statement.

Last week North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had overseen the launch of &nbsp;rockets and at least one short-range ballistic missile which the state media had said was "regular and self-defensive" in nature

The "drill" was the first test of a ballistic missile by North Korea since it had launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017. North Korea had maintained a freeze in nuclear and ballistic missiles testing in place since 2017.

(Inputs: Reuters, AFP)

North Korea fired a number of unidentified projectiles on Thursday, South Korea's military said. "North Korea fired unidentified projectiles eastward" from Sino-ri in North Pyongan province, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) said in a statement.

North Korea fired a number of unidentified projectiles on Thursday, South Korea's military said. "North Korea fired unidentified projectiles eastward" from Sino-ri in North Pyongan province, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) said in a statement. The projectile was fired at about 4:30pm (0730 GMT) from a location in North Korea's northwest toward the east, South Korea's JCS said in a statement. Last week North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had overseen the launch of rockets and at least one short-range ballistic missile which the state media had said was "regular and self-defensive" in nature The "drill" was the first test of a ballistic missile by North Korea since it had launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017. North Korea had maintained a freeze in nuclear and ballistic missiles testing in place since 2017. (Inputs: Reuters, AFP)

North Korea fires several unidentified projectiles eastward

North Korea's "strike drill" last week at which leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch of rockets and at least one short-range ballistic missile was "regular and self-defensive," the North's foreign ministry said on Wednesday, according to state media.

"The recent drill conducted by our army is nothing more than part of the regular military training, and it has neither targeted anyone nor led to an aggravation of the situation in the region," an unidentified ministry spokesperson said in a statement to the state-run KCNA news agency.

Saturday's drill was the first test of a ballistic missile by North Korea since it launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017.

It came in the wake of talks with the United States and South Korea stalling in February and raised alarms in both countries, which have been seeking to entice the North into abandoning its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

Seoul responded on Saturday by calling on its northern neighbour to "stop acts that escalate military tension on the Korean Peninsula."

In a second statement carried by KCNA on Wednesday, a spokesman for the North Korean office in charge of military engagement with South Korea lashed out at Seoul over any suggestion that the rocket drills had violated an inter-Korean agreement aimed at reducing military tension.

"The South Korean military should take a close look at the inter Korean military agreement and recall what it has done itself before talking nonsense that it was against the spirit of the agreement," the spokesperson said, according to KCNA.

The second statement also criticised last week's test of a U.S. Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the U.S. Air Force out of California over the Pacific, saying South Korea was in no position to criticise North Korea.

"The South Korean military has no right to say a word to its fellow countrymen when it acted like a mute who ate honey when the United States fired a Minuteman ICBM which threatens us," the military spokesman said.

US President Donald Trump, who has met with Kim twice, said he was still confident he could have a deal with Kim, and South Korean officials have subsequently played down the test.

North Korea's foreign ministry statement hit back at "spiteful remarks" about the tests from unnamed critics, warning that "baseless allegations" might "produce a result of driving us to the direction which neither we nor they want to see at all."

The ministry spokesperson said there was a double standard, with South Korea and the United States carrying out military drills with little criticism.

"Only our regular and self-defensive military drill is branded as provocative, and this is an undisguised manifestation of the attempt to press the gradual disarmament of our state and finally invade us," the spokesperson said. "We think this is very much unpleasant and regrettable, and we sound a note of warning."

After meeting with Kim for the first time in June last year, Trump abruptly announced he was cancelling all large-scale military exercises with South Korea.

Smaller exercises have continued, however, drawing regular criticism from Pyongyang.

North Korea had maintained a freeze in nuclear and ballistic missiles testing in place since 2017, a fact Trump has repeatedly pointed out as an important achievement from his engagement with Pyongyang.

Denuclearisation talks with North Korea have stalled, however, after Trump and Kim met in February for a second summit but failed to reach an agreement.

North Korea baulked at the extent of the demands made by American negotiators, and Trump said he ended the summit early because Kim was asking for nearly all major sanctions to be lifted while offering little in return.

The U.S. special envoy for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, arrived in Seoul on Wednesday for talks with South Korean officials.

He did not respond to questions from journalists, but his agenda is expected to include the missile test, as well as other aspects of talks with North Korea, including plans for possible humanitarian aid.

North Korea's "strike drill" last week at which leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch of rockets and at least one short-range ballistic missile was "regular and self-defensive," the North's foreign ministry said on Wednesday, according to state media.

North Korea's "strike drill" last week at which leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch of rockets and at least one short-range ballistic missile was "regular and self-defensive," the North's foreign ministry said on Wednesday, according to state media. "The recent drill conducted by our army is nothing more than part of the regular military training, and it has neither targeted anyone nor led to an aggravation of the situation in the region," an unidentified ministry spokesperson said in a statement to the state-run KCNA news agency. Saturday's drill was the first test of a ballistic missile by North Korea since it launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017. It came in the wake of talks with the United States and South Korea stalling in February and raised alarms in both countries, which have been seeking to entice the North into abandoning its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. Seoul responded on Saturday by calling on its northern neighbour to "stop acts that escalate military tension on the Korean Peninsula." In a second statement carried by KCNA on Wednesday, a spokesman for the North Korean office in charge of military engagement with South Korea lashed out at Seoul over any suggestion that the rocket drills had violated an inter-Korean agreement aimed at reducing military tension. "The South Korean military should take a close look at the inter Korean military agreement and recall what it has done itself before talking nonsense that it was against the spirit of the agreement," the spokesperson said, according to KCNA. The second statement also criticised last week's test of a U.S. Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the U.S. Air Force out of California over the Pacific, saying South Korea was in no position to criticise North Korea. "The South Korean military has no right to say a word to its fellow countrymen when it acted like a mute who ate honey when the United States fired a Minuteman ICBM which threatens us," the military spokesman said. US President Donald Trump, who has met with Kim twice, said he was still confident he could have a deal with Kim, and South Korean officials have subsequently played down the test. North Korea's foreign ministry statement hit back at "spiteful remarks" about the tests from unnamed critics, warning that "baseless allegations" might "produce a result of driving us to the direction which neither we nor they want to see at all." The ministry spokesperson said there was a double standard, with South Korea and the United States carrying out military drills with little criticism. "Only our regular and self-defensive military drill is branded as provocative, and this is an undisguised manifestation of the attempt to press the gradual disarmament of our state and finally invade us," the spokesperson said. "We think this is very much unpleasant and regrettable, and we sound a note of warning." After meeting with Kim for the first time in June last year, Trump abruptly announced he was cancelling all large-scale military exercises with South Korea. Smaller exercises have continued, however, drawing regular criticism from Pyongyang. North Korea had maintained a freeze in nuclear and ballistic missiles testing in place since 2017, a fact Trump has repeatedly pointed out as an important achievement from his engagement with Pyongyang. Denuclearisation talks with North Korea have stalled, however, after Trump and Kim met in February for a second summit but failed to reach an agreement. North Korea baulked at the extent of the demands made by American negotiators, and Trump said he ended the summit early because Kim was asking for nearly all major sanctions to be lifted while offering little in return. The U.S. special envoy for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, arrived in Seoul on Wednesday for talks with South Korean officials. He did not respond to questions from journalists, but his agenda is expected to include the missile test, as well as other aspects of talks with North Korea, including plans for possible humanitarian aid.

North Korea says recent rocket drill was 'regular and self-defensive'

South Korea President Moon Jae-in is likely to place a call to US<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/very-positive-venezuela-talks-with-russian-president-putin-donald-trump-215772&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjCn4-s7YjiAhV_6nMBHaocAx4QFjAHegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dFoLjf5Qji68Sr9NgdYD3"> President Donald Trump</a> on Tuesday to discuss the rise in tension in the Korean peninsula region after the recent weapon tests by North Korea.

The leaders are expected to talk over the phone during Tuesday night (Seoul`s time), reported Yonhap News Agency. On May 4, North Korea launched several short-range projectiles off its east coast in the wake of stalled de-nuclearisation talks with the United States.

Following this,<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-confident-north-koreas-kim-wont-break-promise-215949/amp&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjXnqK-7YjiAhUlSY8KHQ7hBcgQFjAFegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Bx7ybmDaLoZ0phJc0mFFi"> North Korea`s</a> state media reported that military drills had taken place in the country for "assessing (the military`s) ability to handle large-calibre long-range artillery and tactical guided weapons, as well as the accuracy of fire missions and the combat capability of defence units."

Despite the launches, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support to Kim, tweeting that the North Korean leader would not "break his promise." The reclusive state`s leader had vowed to completely denuclearise during the first US-North Korea summit held in Singapore last year.

The process has since been largely stalled, as the two states reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions waivers. The reported disagreement also led to the abrupt ending of the second US-North Korea summit in Hanoi this year.

While Pyongyang has asked for relief in sanctions in exchange for the steps it has taken towards denuclearisation, the United States has remained cemented in its resolve to only grant sanction waivers once North Korea has completely denuclearised. The recent weapon launches by North Korea are being largely seen as a sign of Pyongyang`s frustration

South Korea President Moon Jae-in is likely to place a call to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss the rise in tension in the Korean peninsula region after the recent weapon tests by North Korea.

South Korea President Moon Jae-in is likely to place a call to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss the rise in tension in the Korean peninsula region after the recent weapon tests by North Korea. The leaders are expected to talk over the phone during Tuesday night (Seoul`s time), reported Yonhap News Agency. On May 4, North Korea launched several short-range projectiles off its east coast in the wake of stalled de-nuclearisation talks with the United States. Following this, North Korea`s state media reported that military drills had taken place in the country for "assessing (the military`s) ability to handle large-calibre long-range artillery and tactical guided weapons, as well as the accuracy of fire missions and the combat capability of defence units." Despite the launches, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support to Kim, tweeting that the North Korean leader would not "break his promise." The reclusive state`s leader had vowed to completely denuclearise during the first US-North Korea summit held in Singapore last year. The process has since been largely stalled, as the two states reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions waivers. The reported disagreement also led to the abrupt ending of the second US-North Korea summit in Hanoi this year. While Pyongyang has asked for relief in sanctions in exchange for the steps it has taken towards denuclearisation, the United States has remained cemented in its resolve to only grant sanction waivers once North Korea has completely denuclearised. The recent weapon launches by North Korea are being largely seen as a sign of Pyongyang`s frustration

South Korean President Moon Jae-in expected to call Trump to discuss North Korea's weapon test

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