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Kim Yo-jong accused the South of recycling proposals the North had previously rejected

North Korea rejects aid offer as 'height of absurdity'

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has rejected Seoul's offer of economic assistance in return for denuclearisation steps, calling it the "height of absurdity" and a deal Pyongyang would never accept.

World • 19 Aug 22

North Korea reported to have fired cruise missiles

North Korea fires two cruise missiles off west coast

North Korea fired two cruise missiles this morning, Seoul's defence ministry said, Pyongyang's first weapons test in weeks.

World • 17 Aug 22

Mr Kim also sent a letter to Mr Putin saying Russian-North Korean friendship had been forged in World War II

Russia vows to 'expand relations' with North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the two countries will "expand the comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations with common efforts," Pyongyang's state media has reported.

World • 15 Aug 22

Washington and South Korean officials have warned the North is preparing to carry out what would be its seventh nuclear test

N Korea criticises UN chief over denuclearisation call

North Korea has criticised UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his "dangerous words" after he called for the complete and verifiable denuclearisation of Pyongyang during a visit to Seoul.

World • 14 Aug 22

North Korea has dropped its mask-wearing obligation and other rules

N Korea lifts mask mandate and distancing rules

North Korea has dropped a facemask mandate and other social distancing rules as leader Kim Jong-un declared victory over Covid-19 this week, state media said.

World • 13 Aug 22

Kim Jong-un speaks to health workers and scientists about the pandemic in Pyongyang

N Korea declares Covid 'victory', says Kim had fever

North Korea's Kim Jong Un declared a "shining victory" over Covid-19 as his sister revealed he had fallen ill during the outbreak, which she blamed on South Korea, state media reported.

Coronavirus • 11 Aug 22

Kim Jong-un's latest threats come as South Korea and the US move to ramp up joint military exercises

North Korea 'ready to mobilise' nuclear weapons - Kim

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said his country was "ready to mobilise" its nuclear deterrent in any future military clash with the United States and South Korea, state media has said.

World • 28 Jul 22

North Korea's health system is already grappling with Covid-19 in an unvaccinated population of 25 million

North Korea says hundreds ill with intestinal disease

North Korea has said that hundreds of families have fallen ill with an unidentified intestinal disease, heaping pressure on a crumbling healthcare system already strained by Covid-19.

World • 17 Jun 22

Pyongyang has conducted a record-breaking 18 weapons tests this year

North Korea's missile tests cost up to $650m: report

North Korea has spent up to $650 million on missile tests this year - enough money to pay for a Covid-19 vaccination for the impoverished country's entire population, a government-affiliated think tank in Seoul said today.

World • 09 Jun 22

South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman

South Korea and US showcase air power

South Korea and the United States have staged a joint air power demonstration during a visit by US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who said there would be a strong and clear response if North Korea were to conduct a nuclear test.

World • 07 Jun 22

A missile being fired during a joint training between the US and South Korea today (Pic: Handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry)

S Korea, US fire missiles in response to N Korea test

South Korea and the United States have fired eight ballistic missiles in response to North Korean weapons tests the previous day, Seoul's military has said.

World • 06 Jun 22

People watch a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on 25 May

North Korea launches eight ballistic missiles

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, South Korea's military said.

World • 05 Jun 22

Princess Charlene of Monaco had just recently returned to public life following illness

Princess Charlene of Monaco tests positive for Covid-19

Princess Charlene of Monaco, who had been away from public life for months due to health issues, has tested positive for Covid-19, the palace said in a statement.

World • 04 Jun 22

A doctor from the Korean People's Army gives a man prescription medicine at a pharmacy in Pyongyang

N Korea Covid outbreak likely 'getting worse' - WHO

The World Health Organization said it had no access to data about North Korea's Covid-19 outbreak, but assumed the crisis was deepening, contrary to Pyongyang's reports of "progress".

Coronavirus • 02 Jun 22

Pyongyang says its Covid outbreak is under control, reporting falling case numbers

WHO questions North Korea's Covid outbreak 'progress'

The World Health Organization has said it had no access to data about North Korea's Covid-19 outbreak, but assumed the crisis was deepening, contrary to Pyongyang's reports of "progress".

World • 01 Jun 22

Employees spray disinfectant at the Pyongyang Children's Department Store in March

N Korea ordered masks, vaccines before reporting Covid

In the months before it acknowledged its first official Covid-19 outbreak, North Korea suddenly imported millions of face masks, 1,000 ventilators, and possibly vaccines from China, trade data released by Beijing showed.

Coronavirus • 27 May 22

The United States holds the rotating Security Council presidency

UN Council to vote on tougher North Korea sanctions

The United Nations Security Council is to vote on a resolution aimed at toughening sanctions on North Korea after it fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, diplomats have said.

World • 26 May 22

With no national vaccination campaign and limited testing capability, the daily data released by state media could be underreported

N Korea reports 200,000 fever cases during Covid wave

North Korea reported more than 200,000 new patients suffering from fever for a fifth consecutive day, as it fought its first confirmed coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus • 21 May 22

US President Joe Biden, left speaks with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol during a joint press conference at the presidential office in Seoul

Biden and Yoon vow to deter N Korea, offer Covid-19 aid

US President Joe Biden and his new South Korean counterpart have agreed to hold bigger military drills and deploy more US weapons if necessary to deter North Korea, while offering to send Covid-19 vaccines and potentially meet Kim Jong Un.

World • 21 May 22

US President Joe Biden is due in Seoul tomorrow

N Korea 'ready for nuclear test' with Biden due in Asia

North Korea is ready to conduct a nuclear test at any moment, a South Korean politician has said, with the United States warning it could happen while President Joe Biden is in Seoul this week.

World • 19 May 22

The WHO has said it 'deeply concerned' about the spread of Covid-19 in North Korea

Kim criticises N Korea officials over Covid outbreak

Kim slams negligent officials over spiralling N. Korea Covid outbreak

World • 18 May 22

Dr Mike Ryan said the WHO was ready to help North Koera but had no power to interfere in a sovereign country

WHO concerned about 'worrying' N Korean Covid outbreak

A senior World Health Organization official has said high levels of transmission of the coronavirus among unvaccinated people, such as in North Korea, creates a higher risk of new variants.

Coronavirus • 17 May 22

Kim Jong-un has blamed pharmacies, his Cabinet and public health officials for failing to recognise the coronavirus crisis

Kim slams North Korea pandemic response, deploys army

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has denounced his country's response to the coronavirus pandemic and ordered the army to help distribute medicine.

Coronavirus • 16 May 22

A TV screen at a train station in Seoul shows a news broadcast of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un appearing in a face mask on television for the first time to order nationwide lockdowns

N Korea reports 15 'fever' deaths amid Covid outbreak

North Korea has reported 15 additional deaths from "fever", days after officially confirming its first-ever Covid-19 cases and ordering nationwide lockdowns.

World • 15 May 22

Kim Jong Un appeared in a mask on television for the first time this week to order a nationwide lockdown

North Korea reports 21 more deaths from 'fever'

North Korea has announced 21 new "fever" deaths and said more than half a million people had been sickened nationwide, two days after confirming its first cases of Covid-19.

Coronavirus • 14 May 22