Kim Jong Un grapples with the worst crisis in his reign so far: A crippled economy, no COVID-19 vaccines and food shortages
3 years, 8 months ago

Kim Jong Un grapples with the worst crisis in his reign so far: A crippled economy, no COVID-19 vaccines and food shortages

ABC  

As the rest of the world grapples with dangerous new variants, North Korea continues to proudly proclaim it remains COVID-19 free. "North Korea is holding several massive meetings while South Korea restricts gathering to no more than five," she said. Kim appears to be stalling on COVID-19 vaccinations North Korea was supposed to receive 2 million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccines from COVAX, a United Nations-backed vaccine-sharing initiative designed to help low- and middle-income countries. "The South Korean government would like to give vaccines as a diplomatic card or chip to deal with North Korea," he said. "If North Korea agrees to it, we will actively pursue cooperation toward supplying vaccines to North Korea," he said.

Food China North Korea South Korea Moon South North Covid Virus North Korean South Korean Pyongyang Kim Jong Un Kim Jong Food Shortages Mitch Woolnough Korean Vaccines  kim  jong  economy  worst  korea  shortages  covid19  jung  korean  vaccines  food  north  daejin  south  virus  grapples  reign  far

History of this topic

North Korea and Russia agree to expand their economic cooperation
4 months ago

North Korea and Russia agree to expand their economic cooperation

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea and Russia reached a new agreement for expanding economic cooperation following high-level talks in Pyongyang this week, the North’s state media said Thursday, as they continue to align in the face of their confrontations with Washington. Kozlov, who arrived in North Korea on Sunday, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his …

North Korea beefs up Kim Jong-un’s security due to assassination threat
4 months, 3 weeks ago

North Korea beefs up Kim Jong-un’s security due to assassination threat

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy North Korea is beefing up …

A Chinese official meets North Korean leader Kim in Pyongyang in highest-level talks in years
11 months, 2 weeks ago

A Chinese official meets North Korean leader Kim in Pyongyang in highest-level talks in years

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A top ranking official Chinese …

Chinese official talks with North Korean counterpart in the nations' highest-level meeting in years
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Chinese official talks with North Korean counterpart in the nations' highest-level meeting in years

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A top Chinese official arrived …

North Korea’s COVID curbs still strangling economy, report says
1 year ago

North Korea’s COVID curbs still strangling economy, report says

Al Jazeera  

Cross-border movement of people and trade have practically evaporated since the pandemic, Human Rights Watch says. Tightened border controls introduced to curb COVID-19 are still strangling North Korea’s economic activity and informal trade networks more than 18 months after leader Kim Jong Un declared victory over the pandemic, Human Rights Watch has said. “The government’s persistent drive to control its …

While the World Was Looking Elsewhere, North Korea Became a Bigger Threat
1 year, 1 month ago

While the World Was Looking Elsewhere, North Korea Became a Bigger Threat

Live Mint  

SEOUL—In March 2022, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walked out of a massive hangar wearing a bomber jacket and dark sunglasses. At the 2022 weapons launch, Kim oversaw North Korea’s first full-range intercontinental ballistic missile test in nearly five years. Kim’s nonmilitary options might be exhausted, and his goals likely now extend beyond sanctions relief given the strength of …

North Korea scraps all economic cooperation with South Korea
1 year, 1 month ago

North Korea scraps all economic cooperation with South Korea

The Hindu  

North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly has voted to scrap all agreements signed with South Korea on promoting economic cooperation, the North's official KCNA news agency reported on Thursday, February 8, 2024, as the two Koreas' relations continue to deteriorate sharply. The tours to the scenic mountain just north of the eastern border were a symbol of an economic cooperation that …

South Korea’s Yoon to underline ‘illicit’ N Korea-Russia military ties at UN meet
1 year, 6 months ago

South Korea’s Yoon to underline ‘illicit’ N Korea-Russia military ties at UN meet

Firstpost  

Seoul and Washington have expressed concern that Russia could be trying to fetch ammunition from the North to shore up its thinning stockpile due to its invasion of Ukraine, while Pyongyang secures technological aid over its nuclear and missile programmes South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol plans to underline “illicit, dangerous” military dealings between North Korea and Russia at the …

South Korea’s Yoon warns against Russia-North Korea military cooperation and plans to discuss at UN
1 year, 6 months ago

South Korea’s Yoon warns against Russia-North Korea military cooperation and plans to discuss at UN

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s president said the international community “will unite more tightly” to cope with deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, as he plans to raise the issue with world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly this week. Foreign experts speculate Kim could refill Russia’s ammunition inventory drained in its 18-month war with Ukraine in …

South Korea expresses 'concern and regret' over military cooperation talks between Kim and Putin
1 year, 6 months ago

South Korea expresses 'concern and regret' over military cooperation talks between Kim and Putin

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South Korea on Thursday expressed …

Ex-US intelligence officer for North Korea points to growing concern on nuclear threat toward South
1 year, 6 months ago

Ex-US intelligence officer for North Korea points to growing concern on nuclear threat toward South

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The founder of North Korea’s ruling dynasty, an isolationist totalitarian leader named Kim Il Sung, was still building some of the country’s first nuclear facilities when Syd Seiler arrived on the Korean Peninsula as a young U.S. military intelligence officer. Following are some of his conclusions, drawing on his decades of experience before retiring this summer as the …

South Korea’s Yoon will call for strong response to North’s nuclear weapons at ASEAN and G20 summits
1 year, 6 months ago

South Korea’s Yoon will call for strong response to North’s nuclear weapons at ASEAN and G20 summits

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s president says he’ll tell world leaders about the need to faithfully enforce U.N. sanctions on North Korea and block the country’s illicit activities to fund its weapons programs when they converge in Indonesia and India for annual summits this week. “As long as the U.N. Security Council sanctions currently in place are faithfully implemented, …

3 Takeaways From the North Korea-Russia Summit
1 year, 6 months ago

3 Takeaways From the North Korea-Russia Summit

The Diplomat  

On September 13, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un met and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to the Vostochny Cosmodrome – a spaceport located in the Amur Oblast in Russia’s Far East region. His delegation included Pak Thae Song, chairman of North Korea’s space science and technology committee, which develops artificial satellites, and Navy …

North Korea is preparing for a new round of weapons tests, South Korean spy agency says
1 year, 7 months ago

North Korea is preparing for a new round of weapons tests, South Korean spy agency says

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea is preparing for a new round of provocative weapons displays such as long-range missile tests and a spy satellite launch, as it ramps up illicit activities to support its fragile economy, South Korea’s intelligence service told lawmakers Thursday. Outside experts believe North Korea’s current food shortages and economic troubles are the worst since leader …

Concerned about North Korea, South’s Yoon seeks more US help
1 year, 11 months ago

Concerned about North Korea, South’s Yoon seeks more US help

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol urged ever more strengthening of the U.S.-led security alliance against nuclear-armed North Korea on Thursday, drawing cheers from Congress as he saluted the “great American heroes” who helped preserve his country’s democracy in the Korean War. Yoon praised the U.S.-South Korea security partnership since the Korean War seven decades ago as “the …

Concerned about North Korea, South's Yoon seeks more US help
1 year, 11 months ago

Concerned about North Korea, South's Yoon seeks more US help

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South Korean President Yoon …

North Korea’s Kim says ‘nothing impossible’ amid agriculture push
2 years ago

North Korea’s Kim says ‘nothing impossible’ amid agriculture push

Al Jazeera  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged officials to meet agricultural production targets amid reported food shortages, declaring “nothing is impossible” under the leadership of the ruling Workers’ Party. Kim said during a ruling party meeting on Wednesday that officials should concentrate on meeting grain production targets “without fail”, increasing yields at all farms and eradicating “internal factors that …

North Korea’s Kim orders ‘radical change’ in agriculture
2 years ago

North Korea’s Kim orders ‘radical change’ in agriculture

Al Jazeera  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for a “radical change” in agricultural production amid concerns over reported food shortages in the isolated country. Kim, the third generation of his family to rule secretive North Korea, made his remarks less than a week after South Korea’s Unification Ministry said its northern neighbour appeared to be facing a “grave” food …

North Korea's Kim convenes meeting to improve economy amid fears of food shortages
2 years, 1 month ago

North Korea's Kim convenes meeting to improve economy amid fears of food shortages

India Today  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un kicked off a meeting of ruling party officials to discuss improving the country's economy and agricultural sector, state media reported on Monday, as fears of food shortages and a humanitarian crisis grow. Kim oversaw the seventh enlarged plenary meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea on Sunday as it …

North Korea food shortage worsens amid Covid, but no famine yet
2 years, 1 month ago

North Korea food shortage worsens amid Covid, but no famine yet

India Today  

There’s little doubt that North Korea’s chronic food shortages worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and speculation about the country’s food insecurity has flared as its top leaders prepare to discuss the “very important and urgent task” of formulating a correct agricultural policy. Its specific agenda is unknown, but the party’s powerful Politburo earlier said that a “a turning point …

On brink of famine, North Korea refuses foreign aid, calls it 'poisoned candy'
2 years, 1 month ago

On brink of famine, North Korea refuses foreign aid, calls it 'poisoned candy'

India Today  

Despite being on the brink of famine due to critical food shortages, North Korea has reportedly refused foreign aid, likening it to a “poisoned candy”. North Korea's official newspaper Rodong Simmun said that relying on external aid to cope with food shortages would be like taking "poisoned candy" and urged lawmakers to instead focus on becoming self-sufficient. In 2022 the …

On brink of famine, North Korea refuses foreign aid, calls it 'poisoned candy'
2 years, 1 month ago

On brink of famine, North Korea refuses foreign aid, calls it 'poisoned candy'

India Today  

Despite being on the brink of famine due to critical food shortages, North Korea has reportedly refused foreign aid, likening it to a “poisoned candy”. North Korea's official newspaper Rodong Simmun said that relying on external aid to cope with food shortages would be like taking "poisoned candy" and urged lawmakers to instead focus on becoming self-sufficient. In 2022 the …

N Korea paper warns against ‘poisoned candy’ amid food shortages
2 years, 1 month ago

N Korea paper warns against ‘poisoned candy’ amid food shortages

Al Jazeera  

The Rodong Sinmun warns against accepting external help amid reports North Korea is teetering on brink of famine. North Korea’s official newspaper has urged economic self-reliance amid reports of food shortages, arguing that relying on external aid to cope with the food situation would be like taking “poisoned candy”. The commentary, published in the Rodong Sinmun on Wednesday, comes days …

North Korea’s Kim breaks ground for housing, farm projects
2 years, 1 month ago

North Korea’s Kim breaks ground for housing, farm projects

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un attended groundbreaking ceremonies for new housing and farming projects, which are part of his push for domestic achievements as the country’s economic isolation deepens amid his defiant pursuit of nuclear arms. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim broke ground Wednesday for the construction of a huge …

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un breaks ground for apartments, farm
2 years, 1 month ago

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un breaks ground for apartments, farm

Al Jazeera  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has broken ground for a greenhouse farm and 10,000 apartments in the capital, Pyongyang, state media reported, as the country grapples with tough economic conditions amid sanctions and deepening isolation. Kim “personally pressed the blast button” and gave “warm encouragement” to construction workers at the groundbreaking ceremony for the housing project, the mouthpiece Korean …

Amid barrage of missile tests, China expresses will to work with North Korea for world peace
2 years, 4 months ago

Amid barrage of missile tests, China expresses will to work with North Korea for world peace

India Today  

Chinese President Xi Jinping told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Beijing was willing to work with Pyongyang for world peace, North Korean state media said Saturday. The message from Xi came days after North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in one of its most powerful tests yet, declaring it would meet perceived US nuclear threats with nukes …

‘Excessive’: North Korea’s COVID curbs blamed for food crisis
2 years, 4 months ago

‘Excessive’: North Korea’s COVID curbs blamed for food crisis

Al Jazeera  

Pyongyang has substantially ramped up border security since January 2020, according to satellite images. North Korean authorities have imposed “excessive and unnecessary” border measures since January 2020, including upgraded fences, guard posts and patrol roads, an analysis of satellite images by Human Rights Watch shows. HRW said it had spoken to five North Korean defectors involved in smuggling goods in …

North Korea says it will never give up nukes to counter U.S.
2 years, 6 months ago

North Korea says it will never give up nukes to counter U.S.

LA Times  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, shown Friday on a TV screen in Seoul, said his country needs nuclear weapons to prevent an unspecified “catastrophic crisis” to its government and people. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stressed that his country will never abandon the nuclear weapons it needs to counter the United States, which he accused of pushing to …

N. Korea says it will never give up nukes to counter US
2 years, 6 months ago

N. Korea says it will never give up nukes to counter US

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stressed his country will never abandon the nuclear weapons it needs to counter the United States, which he accused of pushing to weaken the North’s defenses and eventually collapse his government, state media said Friday. The new law spells out conditions where North would be inclined to use its nuclear …

N. Korea says it will never give up nukes to counter US
2 years, 6 months ago

N. Korea says it will never give up nukes to counter US

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stressed his country will never abandon the nuclear weapons it needs to counter the United States, which he accused of pushing to weaken the North’s defenses and eventually collapse his government, state media said Friday. The law spells out conditions where North would be inclined to use its nuclear weapons, …

North Korea says it will never give up nukes to counter U.S.
2 years, 6 months ago

North Korea says it will never give up nukes to counter U.S.

The Hindu  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says his country will never abandon the nuclear weapons and missiles it needs to counter the United States, which he accused of pushing a pressure campaign to weaken the North’s defenses and eventually collapse his government. State media said Friday that Mr. Kim made the comments during a speech at North Korea’s rubber-stamp parliament …

South Korea to scrap COVID tests for arrivals in boost for travel
2 years, 6 months ago

South Korea to scrap COVID tests for arrivals in boost for travel

Al Jazeera  

Travellers to the country will no longer be required to present a negative coronavirus test result starting on Saturday. South Korea will scrap predeparture COVID-19 tests for arrivals, lifting some of the last pandemic-related border controls in a boost to the country’s beleaguered travel industry. Travellers to the country will no longer be required to present a negative coronavirus test …

North Korea says new fever cases were flu, not COVID-19
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea says new fever cases were flu, not COVID-19

India TV News  

North Korea on Friday said the latest fever cases detected in its border region with China were tested to be influenza, not coronavirus infections as initially feared. While Kim claimed that the country's success against the virus would be recognized as a global health miracle, experts believe North Korea has manipulated disclosures on its outbreak to help him maintain absolute …

Bill Gates eyes partnership with South Korea over global health
2 years, 7 months ago

Bill Gates eyes partnership with South Korea over global health

The Hindu  

Bill Gates on August 16 called for South Korea to further step up in international efforts to prevent infectious diseases such as COVID-19 as he stressed the need for the world to be better prepared for the next pandemic. Speaking to South Korean lawmakers in Seoul, Mr. Gates called for stronger international cooperation, including efforts to develop vaccines that would …

S Korea’s Yoon urges better ties with Japan, offers N Korea aid
2 years, 7 months ago

S Korea’s Yoon urges better ties with Japan, offers N Korea aid

Al Jazeera  

S Korean leader marks the 77th anniversary of liberation from Japanese colonial rule with appeals to overcome historical disputes with Japan and for peace with N Korea. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol has called for better ties with Japan and again offered North Korea a wide-ranging package of economic assistance if it abandoned its nuclear programme. But despite Yoon’s wish …

North Korea claims disputed victory over virus, blames Seoul
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea claims disputed victory over virus, blames Seoul

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — In a striking speech before thousands of North Koreans, leader Kim Jong Un’s sister said he suffered a fever while guiding the country to victory over the coronavirus. South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, expressed strong regret over North Korea’s “extremely disrespectful and threatening comments” based on “ridiculous claims.” A senior South Korean presidential …

North Korea declares victory over Covid, suggests leader Kim had it
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea declares victory over Covid, suggests leader Kim had it

India Today  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared victory over COVID-19 and his sister indicated that he too caught the virus, while vowing "deadly retaliation" against South Korea, which the North blames for causing the outbreak. Kim ordered the lifting of maximum anti-epidemic measures imposed in May though adding that North Korea must maintain a "steel-strong anti-epidemic barrier and intensifying …

Kim Jong Un claims ‘victory’ over COVID, blames South Korea
2 years, 7 months ago

Kim Jong Un claims ‘victory’ over COVID, blames South Korea

Al Jazeera  

North Korean leader lifts pandemic restrictions as senior official says death toll of 74 an ‘unprecedented miracle’ in world health. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared “victory” in his country’s battle against COVID-19 and ordered pandemic restrictions, imposed in May, to be lifted. Easley added that Kim Yo Jong’s bellicose rhetoric was a concern “because not only will …

North Korea: No COVID-19 cases reported for first time since outbreak
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea: No COVID-19 cases reported for first time since outbreak

Firstpost  

According to experts, North Korea has one of the world’s worst healthcare systems, with poorly-equipped hospitals, few intensive care units, and no mass testing ability Seoul: North Korea reported zero fever cases on Saturday for the first time in more than two months since it confirmed its first Covid-19 infections in May. “There were no new fever patients reported” over …

Kim threatens to use nukes amid tensions with US, S. Korea
2 years, 7 months ago

Kim threatens to use nukes amid tensions with US, S. Korea

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday, as he unleashed fiery rhetoric against rivals he says are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war. “Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished …

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un threatens to use nukes amid tension with U.S., South Korea
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un threatens to use nukes amid tension with U.S., South Korea

The Hindu  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday, as he unleashed fiery rhetoric against rivals he says are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war. Mr. Kim said regular U. S.-South Korea military drills that he claimed …

'Ready to use nuclear weapons': Kim Jong Un's chilling warning amid tensions with US, South Korea
2 years, 7 months ago

'Ready to use nuclear weapons': Kim Jong Un's chilling warning amid tensions with US, South Korea

India TV News  

Highlights North Korea's Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use nuclear weapons in conflicts with US, S. Korea He accused the United States of “demonizing” North Korea to justify its hostile policies Kim also alleged South Korean government is led by “confrontation maniacs” and “gangsters” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons …

North Korea’s Kim threatens to use nuclear weapons amid tensions with U.S.
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea’s Kim threatens to use nuclear weapons amid tensions with U.S.

LA Times  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a ceremony to mark the 69th anniversary of the of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday, as he unleashed fiery rhetoric against …

North Korea says nearing end of COVID crisis
2 years, 8 months ago

North Korea says nearing end of COVID crisis

Al Jazeera  

The isolated country’s claim comes as Asian neighbours are battling a new wave of infections driven by Omicron subvariants. North Korea is on the path to “finally defuse” a crisis stemming from its first acknowledged outbreak of COVID-19, the state news agency said on Monday, while Asian neighbours battle a new wave of infections driven by Omicron subvariants. “Under the …

South Korea approves first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine
2 years, 8 months ago

South Korea approves first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine

LA Times  

South Korean Minister of Food and Drug Safety Oh Yu-kyoung speaks at a news briefing in the city of Cheongju on Wednesday. Health officials in South Korea on Wednesday approved the country’s first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 years or older, adding another tool in the fight against the pandemic. In clinical trials involving some 4,000 participants in …

North Korea may declare victory over Covid just a month after detecting outbreak
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korea may declare victory over Covid just a month after detecting outbreak

India Today  

It’s only been a month since North Korea acknowledged having an COVID-19 outbreak, after steadfastly denying any cases for more than two years. The South Korean government as well as some experts believe that North Korea may soon declare that it has beaten the virus, linked, of course, to leader Kim Jong Un’s strong and clever guidance. DAILY FEVER CASES …

North Korea reports another infectious disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korea reports another infectious disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave

Firstpost  

Some observers say the ‘an enteric epidemic’ refers to an infectious disease like typhoid, dysentery or cholera, which routinely occur in North Korea Seoul, South Korea: North Korea on Thursday reported the eruption of another infectious disease in addition to its ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, saying leader Kim Jong Un has donated his private medicines to those stricken with the new …

N. Korea reports another disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave
2 years, 9 months ago

N. Korea reports another disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It’s unclear how serious the new epidemic is, but …

North Korea reports another disease outbreak amid COVID wave
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korea reports another disease outbreak amid COVID wave

India TV News  

Highlights North Korea on June 16 reported the eruption of another infectious disease It is in addition to its ongoing COVID pandemic outbreak Kim Jong Un has donated his private medicines to those stricken with the new disease North Korea on Thursday reported the eruption of another infectious disease in addition to its ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, saying leader Kim Jong …

North Korean leader reaffirms arms buildup in party meeting
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korean leader reaffirms arms buildup in party meeting

The Hindu  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un doubled down on his arms buildup in the face of what he described as an aggravating security environment while outside governments monitor signs of a possibly imminent North Korean nuclear test explosion. Mr. Kim’s comments during a major three-day political conference that wrapped up Friday didn’t include any direct criticism of the United States …

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