UN adopts resolution on North Korean human rights for 20th consecutive year

SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - The UN General Assembly unanimously passed its resolution condemning North Korea's human rights violations on Wednesday. The annual resolution, adopted for the 20th consecutive year, condemns North Korea for "continuing to divert its resources into pursuing its unlawful nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes over the welfare of its people." "This is just the latest in a line of resolutions presented every year for the past 2

November 21, 2024

North Korean troops in Russia engaged in battles, spy agency confirms 

SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - Part of North Korean troops deployed to Russia are believed to be engaged in battles under the command of Russia's airborne brigade or marine corps, South Korea's spy agency said on Wednesday. "Some 11,000 North Korean soldiers moved to Kursk in late October, after completing their training in northeastern Russa," lawmakers quoted an official from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) as saying in a closed-door meeting. Kursk is a Ru

November 20, 2024

North Korea vows to expand nuclear forces 'without limitation'

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stressed the importance of enhancing the country's military capabilities and strengthening war preparations, Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Monday. "We will strengthen our self-defense power, centered on nuclear forces, without limitation," KCNA reported quoting Kim as saying. In a two-day gathering of battalion commanders and other military leaders in Pyongyang last wee

November 18, 2024

Kim Jong-un calls for mass production of attack drones

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the mass production of attack drones, state media said on Friday. "The suicide attack drones to be used within different striking ranges are to perform a mission to precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and in the sea," the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. According to KCNA, Kim expressed satisfaction during his on-site inspection of a drone test the previo

November 15, 2024

North Korean troops engaging in combat against Ukraine forces, US confirms

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - North Korean troops in Russia have begun engaging in combat against the Ukraine forces, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday. "We are incredibly concerned by Russia's decision to turn to soldiers have been sent to eastern Russia, and most of them have

November 13, 2024

North Korea ratifies defense pact with Russia

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - North Korea has ratified a treaty that pledges mutual military support between Moscow and Pyongyang. The "treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership" signed by the isolated country's leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang in June was "ratified as a decree" by Kim, the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Tuesday. The defense pact, which vows to provide mutual military assistance i

November 12, 2024

Russia likely to offer nuclear support to North Korea for troop deployment, U.S. official says  

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - North Korea could receive technical assistance for its nuclear weapons program from Russia in exchange for providing troops to support the prolonged war in Ukraine, a U.S. security official said on Sunday. During an interview with the American network CBS, the White House's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that he does not know "for sure," speculating that Russian President Vladimir Putin "probably hasn't decided exactly

November 11, 2024

Ukrainian forces 'clash with North Korean troops,' leaving 'significant' number of casualties

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - Ukrainian forces have clashed with North Korean troops for the first time in Kursk, a Russian territory occupied by Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Tuesday. "The first battles with North Korean soldiers open a new page of instability in the world," he said during his nightly video address, calling on the international community to act decisively to prevent Russia's attempts to escalate its war in Ukraine. On the same day, t

November 6, 2024

'10,000 North Korean troops in Russia,' South Korean Defense Ministry says

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - About 10,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, with a considerable number of them moving to frontline areas, the Ministry of National Defense here said on Tuesday. "Approximately 10,000 North Korean troops have been dispatched to Russia, and a considerable number of them have moved to frontlines including Kursk," said a ministry spokesperson during a press briefing. The remarks came just several hours after a similar statement from t

November 5, 2024

North Korean troops in Russia 'equipped with heavy arms'

SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - Thousands of North Korean troops armed with assault weapons and other military gear have been deployed to border areas near Ukraine since late last month, Kyiv's intelligence agency said. According to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) last weekend, Russia has moved more than 7,000 North Korean soldiers to "the frontline with the help of at least 28 military transport aircraft." North Korean soldiers, who are likely to join

November 4, 2024