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Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attend a welcoming ceremony before talks in Pyongyang last June

North Korean troops in Russia: how significant is it?

NATO and the Pentagon this week confirmed intelligence reports that North Korea had deployed an estimated 10,000 of its own troops to Russia. Does their deployment mark a significant escalation in Russia's war in Ukraine?

Europe • 02 Nov 24

The launch drew swift condemnation coming amid rising international alarm over North Korea reportedly dispatching thousands of troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine

North Korea carries out longest ballistic missile test

North Korea has said it has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, upgrading what it called the "world's most powerful strategic weapon", as Seoul warned Pyongyang could get missile technology from Russia for helping with the war in Ukraine.

World • 31 Oct 24

North Korean soldiers on parade in Pongyang in 2019

US says North Korean troops are in Russia

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said there is evidence that North Korean troops are in Russia but it remained to be seen what they would be doing there.

Ukraine • 23 Oct 24

A North Korean military guard post seen from the South Korean side of the border

North Korea to 'permanently' shut border with South Korea

North Korea's army has said it was moving to "permanently shut off and block the southern border" with Seoul and had informed the US military to prevent an accidental clash.

World • 09 Oct 24

The incident took place at Tongil Bridge, northwest of the capital Seoul

Defector stole bus in bid to return to North Korea

A North Korean defector living in South Korea has been detained after ramming a stolen bus into a barricade on a bridge near the heavily militarised border, in an apparent attempt to get back to the North, Yonhap news agency reported.

Asia • 01 Oct 24

Pyongyang launched about 120 rubbish-filled balloons towards the border last night, following 50 balloons that were sent on Saturday (File image)

North Korean rubbish balloon causes fire in Seoul

A rubbish balloon from North Korea landed on a Seoul building rooftop and caused a fire, a local fire department has said, among thousands of balloons Pyongyang has sent southward this year, sparking a tit-for-tat propaganda campaign.

World • 16 Sep 24

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that all 103 Ukrainians returned were from the military

Russia and Ukraine exchange 206 prisoners in deal

Russia and Ukraine have conducted a major exchange of prisoners, 206 in all, in their second such swap in two days, following negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates, officials said.

World • 14 Sep 24

A view of the Demilitarized Zone, separating North and South Korea, on the South Korean island of Gyodong where the individual arrived

North Korean defects to South across maritime border

A North Korean has defected to the South across a de facto maritime border in the Yellow Sea, according to Seoul's military.

World • 08 Aug 24

Seoyeong Kim and Sanghyeok Woo, Flagbearers of Team Republic of Korea, are seen waving their flag along the River Seine during the opening ceremony

IOC apologises for South Korea gaffe in Olympic ceremony

The International Olympic Committee has apologised for a gaffe during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in which South Korean athletes were incorrectly introduced as North Korean.

World • 27 Jul 24

In June, Kim Jong-un and Russia's President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement that included a pledge to come to each other's military aid if attacked

North Korea denounces NATO summit declaration

North Korea has denounced a declaration at a recent NATO summit that condemned its weapons exports to Russia, calling the document "illegal", state media said.

World • 13 Jul 24

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in years

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles - South Korea

North Korea launched two ballistic missiles, South Korea's military confirmed, the latest in a series of weapons tests by Pyongyang that have soured relations with Seoul.

World • 01 Jul 24

Barricades are placed near the Unification Bridge, which leads to Panmunjom near the Demilitarized Zone

Warning shots fired as N Korean troops cross into South

South Korea's military has said it fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the heavily fortified border in the third such incursion this month.

World • 21 Jun 24

Kim Jong-un hailed a 'new era' in relations at talks with Vladimir Putin

Russia, North Korea sign defence pact as alliance grows

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a mutual defence agreement with North Korea, whose leader Kim Jong Un offered his "full support" on Ukraine.

World • 19 Jun 24

Some 20 to 30 soldiers breached the line by 20 metres inside the demilitarised zone and briefly moved back north after warning shots were fired

Warning shots fired after N Korean soldiers cross border

South Korea's military fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line near the border, according to the country's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

World • 18 Jun 24

Vladimir Putin meets Kim Jong-un on his arrival in Pyongyang this evening

Putin arrives in N Korea promising to back it against US

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea for his first visit in 24 years, vowing to deepen trade and security ties with the reclusive nuclear-armed state and to support it against the United States.

World • 18 Jun 24

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, warned of a 'very dangerous situation' (file photo)

Kim sister vows 'new response' to South Korea broadcasts

The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said Seoul could expect a "new response" and warned of a "very dangerous situation" after the South resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts near the border, according to reports.

World • 09 Jun 24

The public have been told to refrain from touching the balloons if spotted and to report them to authorities

North Korea sends rubbish-carrying balloons to South

North Korea has sent rubbish-carrying balloons towards the South, the South Korean military has said.

World • 08 Jun 24

Hundreds of balloons carrying rubbish have been launched by North Korea

Seoul to suspend inter-Korean military deal over balloons

South Korea plans to suspend a military agreement signed with North Korea in 2018 aimed at easing tensions, the presidential office said, after Seoul warned of a strong response to balloons launched by Pyongyang carrying rubbish to the south.

World • 03 Jun 24

The balloons carrying rubbish such as cigarette butts, cloth, paper waste and plastic were found across the capital

N Korea sends 600 more rubbish-filled balloons to S Korea

North Korea sent some 600 balloons carrying rubbish into South Korea overnight in the latest move by North Koreans to rile their rival neighbours.

World • 02 Jun 24

North Korea sent around 260 balloons carrying bags of rubbish from Tuesday night to Wednesday

N Korea sends rubbish-filled balloons into South again

North Korea has sent rubbish-carrying balloons into the South again, the South Korean military said, a day after Seoul warned of countermeasures against such activity.

World • 01 Jun 24

North Korea sent around 260 balloons carrying bags of rubbish - including waste batteries, cigarette butts and what appeared to be manure - from Tuesday night to Wednesday

S Korea warns of more rubbish-filled balloons from North

More rubbish-filled balloons from North Korea are expected to litter the South from tomorrow, Seoul's military has said, days after Pyongyang began its campaign to punish its neighbour.

World • 31 May 24

A man watches a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a train station in Seoul

North Korea fires multiple suspected short-range missiles

North Korea fired what appeared to be about 10 short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, South Korea's military said.

World • 30 May 24

The launch came after South Korea, Japan and China held talks in Seoul

Spy satellite launch ends in failure, North Korea says

North Korea's latest attempt to put a spy satellite into orbit ended in a mid-air explosion, Pyongyang has said, hours after its announcement of a planned launch was criticised by South Korea and Japan.

World • 27 May 24

A man watches a television showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on 17 May

North Korea confirms ballistic missile launch

North Korea has test-fired a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a "new autonomous navigation system", state media said, with leader Kim Jong-un vowing to boost the country's nuclear force.

World • 18 May 24

A public television screen in South Korea showing images of a previous North Korean missile launch

N Korea fires salvo of short-range ballistic missiles

North Korea has fired several short-range ballistic missiles, South Korea's military has said, the latest in a volley of tests by Pyongyang this year.

World • 22 Apr 24