-
Seoul’s search for stability: political turmoil underscores need for a consistent North Korea policy
One year after South Korea witnessed its first declaration of martial law since 1979, the political aftershocks continue to reverberate — stretching far beyond constitutional law and deep into North Korea policy. On Dec. 3, 2024, then-President Yoon Suk Yeol stunned the country by declaring emergency martial law, claiming, among other things, that South Korea faced “pro-North Korea and anti-state forces” and accusing the opposition-controlled National Assembly of paralyzing the government. His d
Dec. 4, 2025 -
Lee says he ‘lacks info’ on S. Koreans held in North Korea
President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday said he lacks specific information on South Korean nationals detained in North Korea — a remark that raised questions about his administration’s willingness to address the issue. During a press conference with foreign media, Lee was asked whether his government plans to pursue the release of South Koreans held in the North, Lee avoided giving a direct answer. Instead, he turned to Wi Sung-lac, head of the presidential National Security Office, asking him to r
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee vows active role as 'pacemaker' in NK-US dialogue
President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed South Korea’s willingness to play a proactive "pacemaker" role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and North Korea, despite current deadlock in inter-Korean relations. Speaking to reporters, Lee acknowledged that all communication channels with the North are severed, leaving Seoul limited to taking unilateral goodwill measures, such as halting propaganda broadcasts and minimizing military activities. Lee emphasized that the US—as the legal party
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee says he has weighed apologizing to NK to ease tensions
President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday said that he has weighed issuing an apology to North Korea over the leaflets sent during the previous administration, as a gesture to ease tensions. During the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration, activists had resumed floating balloons carrying leaflets denouncing the North Korean regime across the border. The North denounced the leaflets as provocations, and responded by floating balloons carrying waste. Q. Recently you commented on social media that the
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Allies reaffirm coordination on N. Korea’s return to ‘meaningful’ dialogue
South Korea and the United States reaffirmed their close coordination on achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and resurrecting long-stalled dialogue with North Korea during a vice-ministerial meeting, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker discussed follow-up measures to the joint fact sheet, coordination on North Korea policy and regional and global issues during the
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee proposes restoring communication channels with N. Korea
President Lee Jae Myung proposed restoring communication channels with North Korea on Tuesday, saying it will serve as a starting point for "peaceful coexistence" between Seoul and Pyongyang. Lee made the remarks during an event to mark the launch of the 22th Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, stressing that unification is a path that must be taken regardless of whether it takes decades or even a millennia. "The historic task given to us is to end hostility and confrontation between the two
Dec. 2, 2025 -
Yoon trial begins over Pyongyang drone allegations
Another trial began Monday for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, this time over his alleged involvement in South Korean military drones being flown over Pyongyang last year. The drone deployment, the investigators argue, was aimed at goading North Korea into retaliatory actions that could be used to justify declaring emergency martial law. The Seoul Central District Court kicked off its first preparatory hearing at 2:10 p.m. for Yoon and three former senior defense officials — former Defense Minis
Dec. 1, 2025 -
Kim Jong-un vows to provide 'new strategic assets' for Air Force
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized the growing role of the country’s air force and stated that the branch would be given "new strategic assets," as he marked the service’s 80th anniversary, state media reported Sunday. Kim presided over a large-scale celebration Friday at Kalma Airport in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, home to the 59th Kil Yong Jo Hero Flying Group under the 2nd Air Wing, according to the Korean Central News Agency. His daughter, Kim Ju-ae — widely viewed by North Korea watch
Nov. 30, 2025 -
N. Korea's Kim vows to bestow new strategic assets, duty on air force founding anniv.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended a ceremony marking the 80th founding anniversary of the country's air force, saying it will be given new strategic military assets and a "new important duty," state media reported Sunday. Kim made the remarks during the celebration event held Friday at Kalma Airport of the 59th Kil Yong Jo Hero Flying Group of the Second Air Wing, to mark the founding anniversary of the Air Force of the Korean People's Army, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
Nov. 30, 2025 -
Pyongyang says S. Korea-US joint military drills aimed at deterring N. Korea
North Korea on Friday blasted the recent joint US-South Korea anti-submarine drills called Silent Shark, as well as other joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington, saying such drills were aimed at deterring Pyongyang. The state-run Korean Central News Agency issued the criticism in a commentary, taking aim at recent joint drills between Washington and Seoul, including an anti-special operation drill near South Korea's Pyeongtaek and the monthlong Silent Shark exercise in Guam. The K
Nov. 28, 2025 -
North Korea may already possess 150 nuclear warheads, could reach 400 by 2040: think tank
North Korea’s nuclear arsenal may be far larger — and expanding far faster — than widely believed, potentially reshaping the strategic landscape on the Korean Peninsula within the next two decades, according to new assessments by South Korean defense researchers. At a forum hosted by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses on Wednesday, Lee Sang-kyu, head of KIDA’s nuclear security research division, assessed that Pyongyang likely possesses between 127 and 150 nuclear weapons. The estimate — ba
Nov. 27, 2025 -
N. Korea's Kim inspects construction site of greenhouse farm in Sinuiju
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected the construction site of a greenhouse farm in the northwestern city of Sinuiju, state media reported Thursday, as the North has been pushing for implementing regional development projects. Kim visited the Sinuiju Combined Greenhouse Farm, whose construction is nearing completion, the previous day, according to the Korean Central News Agency. North Korea has been building a large greenhouse farm in vast areas of Wihwa Island, an islet in Sinuiju where
Nov. 27, 2025 -
N. Korea adopts AI-powered weather forecasting system
North Korea's meteorology agency has developed a new weather forecasting system that applies artificial intelligence across the entire forecasting process, the North's state media reported Monday. "By applying AI technology to all weather forecasting processes, this intelligent, automated and refined comprehensive weather forecast system could increase accuracy and shorten forecasting time," the Korean Central News Agency said. Having been registered as one of the country's 10 greatest informati
Nov. 24, 2025 -
Seoul's human rights chief urges government to help NK prisoners of war in Ukraine come to South Korea
South Korea’s top human rights official called on the government on Thursday to actively support the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war held in Ukraine, stressing that they must not be forcibly repatriated to the North. Ahn Chang-ho, chair of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, said in a statement that the government must pursue “swift and proactive diplomatic efforts” to ensure the soldiers’ safe arrival in South Korea. Ahn also urged the South Korean government to request
Nov. 21, 2025 -
North Korea continues MDL violations, silent on Seoul's offer to hold talks
North Korea is remaining silent on Seoul’s offer of talks, while continuing to violate the Military Demarcation Line. On Wednesday, a group of North Korean soldiers crossed south of the MDL, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. South Korean forces responded with warning broadcasts and warning shots, prompting the North Korean troops to retreat back across the line. The latest intrusion follows Seoul’s offer on Monday to hold inter-Korean military talks focused on establishing a mutu
Nov. 21, 2025