February 2018 - North Korea Special Weapons News

Japan Informs UNSC of Possible Violation of Anti-Pyongyang Sanctions at Sea Sputnik 27 Feb 2018 -- Japan has given the UN Security Council (UNSC) information about the activity of the North Korean Chon Ma San tanker that allegedly may have violated the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by the UNSC, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
China Hopes North Korea, US to Take Measures for Start of Dialogue Sputnik 27 Feb 2018 -- Beijing hopes that the positive trend in cooperation between Pyongyang and Seoul, which has emerged during the recent Winter Olympics in South Korea, will continue in a dialogue between North Korea and the US, both of which should take necessary steps for this, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated.
U.S. Hit for Bringing Clouds of War to Hang over Korean Peninsula KCNA 25 Feb 2018 -- The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK issued the following press statement on Sunday:
North Korea condemns new US sanctions as 'act of war' Press TV 25 Feb 2018 -- North Korea has censured the latest round of sanctions imposed by Washington against Pyongyang as an "act of war," accusing the US administration of trying to undermine an improvement in inter-Korean relations triggered by the Winter Olympic Games in the South.
South Korea Says North Open To Talks With U.S. RFE/RL 25 Feb 2018 -- South Korea said on February 25 that North Korea is willing to hold talks with the United States.
White House Says Yet to See if North Korea Willing to Denuclearize Sputnik 25 Feb 2018 -- The United States has yet to see if North Korea's statement that it is ready to hold talks with Washington is a "first step" to removing nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula, and pressure on Pyongyang must continue in the meanwhile, the White House said in a statement Sunday.
Pyongyang Vows to Regard Any Maritime Blockade as an Act of War Sputnik 25 Feb 2018 -- Amid a thaw in relations between North and South Korea, US President Trump announced new sanctions against 56 vessels, trade entities, and shipping companies that are aimed at maximizing pressure on Pyongyang over its ongoing development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
US: 'We Will See' if N. Korea Willingness to Talk is Denuclearization First Step VOA 25 Feb 2018 -- The Trump administration is responding tepidly following North Korea's expression of willingness to hold talks with the United States.
VOA Interview: Sam Nunn says 'Carrots and Sticks' Needed with N. Korea VOA 25 Feb 2018 -- Concerned about a "war by blunder," Sam Nunn, the former U.S. senator from Georgia who chaired the Senate Armed Services Committee, says he favors "tightening the screws in sanctions" on North Korea, but the U.S. needs to communicate with the country at the same time.
U.S. sanctions against Pyongyang involve Taiwanese national, companies CNA 24 Feb 2018 -- The new sanctions imposed by the United States against North Korea involved a Taiwanese citizen and two Taiwan-linked companies, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
U.S. imposes heaviest sanctions on DPRK amid detente on Korean Peninsula People's Daily 24 Feb 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday announced what he called the "heaviest sanctions" on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a move that came amid signs of a growing rapprochement on the Korean Peninsula.
China urges US to stop 'mistaken actions' on North Korea Press TV 24 Feb 2018 -- China has warned the United States that its wrong policies on North Korea could seriously undermine cooperation between Beijing and Washington to contain Pyongyang's weapons program.
Senior Russian diplomat calls for direct Russo-American talks on North Korea Press TV 24 Feb 2018 -- A senior Russian diplomat says Russia and the United States should hold direct talks on North Korea.
China Opposes US Korea-Related Sanctions, Urges Washington Not to Harm Relations Sputnik 24 Feb 2018 -- China has responded to the US' imposition of a new package of sanctions on North Korea, which also target Chinese entities and individuals.
Tokyo Expresses Support to New US Sanctions Against North Korea - PM Adviser Sputnik 24 Feb 2018 -- Japan supports Washington's decision to impose another round of sanctions on North Korea over Pyongyang's ongoing development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, Kentaro Sonoura, the adviser of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Saturday.
China Reacts Angrily to New US Sanctions Against North Korea VOA 24 Feb 2018 -- China responded angrily Saturday to new sanctions the United States imposed on North Korea, maintaining they were counterproductive to efforts to halt Pyongyang's nuclear and long-range missile development programs.
gTreasury Announces Largest North Korean Sanctions Package Targeting 56 Shipping and Trading Companies and Vessels to Further Isolate Rogue Regime US Treasury 23 Feb 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced the largest North Korea-related sanctions tranche to date, aimed at disrupting North Korean shipping and trading companies and vessels to further isolate the regime and advance the U.S. maximum pressure campaign. Today's action targets one individual, 27 entities, and 28 vessels located, registered, or flagged in North Korea, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Marshall Islands, Tanzania, Panama, and Comoros. Today, Treasury, along with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Coast Guard, also issued an advisory alerting the public to the significant sanctions risks to those continuing to enable shipments of goods to and from North Korea.
Press Briefing by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on North Korea Sanctions The White House 23 Feb 2018
Trump announces 'largest ever' tranche of North Korea sanctions Press TV 23 Feb 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has announced what he called America's "largest ever" tranche of sanctions against North Korea, in an attempt to increase pressure on the nuclear-armed country.
Trump Announces 'Largest Ever' Sanctions on North Korea VOA 23 Feb 2018 -- After announcing what he called the "largest ever" set of sanctions against North Korea, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a "phase two" if the measures aren't effective.
US Imposes 'Largest Ever' Set of Sanctions Against North Korea Sputnik 23 Feb 2018 -- The US president is set to announce new sanctions against 56 vessels, trade entities, and shipping companies that are aimed at maximizing pressure on Pyongyang, which has recently held talks with Seoul to ease the ever-growing tensions on the Korean peninsula and sent its athletes to the 2016 Winter Olympics in South Korea's Pyeongchang.
US plans bans on North Korea, South invites sanctioned official Press TV 23 Feb 2018 -- The United States is reportedly set to unveil a large package of sanctions against North Korea, even as Pyongyang is continuing to engage its main rival Seoul in pursuit of peace.
North Korea blasts UN chief as 'henchman' of US Press TV 23 Feb 2018 -- North Korea has dubbed United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres as a "henchman" of the United States, after he expressed support for US-led sanctions against Pyongyang during the Munich Security Conference last week.
North Korea Brands UN Secretary General a 'Henchman' of the United States Sputnik 23 Feb 2018 -- The decision of the head of the UN to endorse economic sanctions against North Korea has provoked a sharp retort from the country's representatives, who accused him of being an American lackey.
N Korea Calls US-Japan Missile Drills Provocation Against Intra-Korean Dialogue Sputnik 22 Feb 2018 -- North Korea's committee on Korean reconciliation condemned on Thursday an upcoming joint US-Japan missile defense drill as an attempt to reignite regional tensions and obstruct the ongoing thaw between Pyongyang and Seoul.
China Probing Possible Breach of UNSC's N Korea Sanctions During Sea Transfer Sputnik 22 Feb 2018 -- Beijing is currently examining a Japanese report that a suspected Chinese vessel may have carried out a cargo transfer with a North Korean ship in violation of the UN Security Council's (UNSC) sanctions, Geng Shuang, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesman, said.
US, S. Korea Military Exercises Could End Outreach to Nuclear North VOA 22 Feb 2018 -- The resumption of U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, which were postponed until after the PyeongChang Olympics and Paralympics end in late March, could also mark the end of the current diplomatic outreach to North Korea.
Seoul Views Inter-Korean Talks as Way to Pyongyang Denuclearization - Ministry Sputnik 21 Feb 2018 -- Seoul views the inter-Korean talks as a key to the solution of the North Korean nuclear problem, South Korean Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
Pence's secret meeting with N Koreans cancelled at Olympics: Report Press TV 21 Feb 2018 -- An official report says US Vice President Mike Pence was scheduled to hold a secret meeting with North Korean officials during his visit to South Korea for the Winter Olympics but the North Koreans canceled.
North Korea 'Canceled' Planned Meeting With U.S. VP Pence In South Korea RFE/RL 21 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence was scheduled to meet with North Korean officials, including leader Kim Jong Un's sister, while in South Korea for the Winter Olympics this month, but the North Koreans canceled at the last minute, U.S. officials said on February 20.
Pre-emptive North Korea attack 'high risk, unpredictable' for US Press TV 20 Feb 2018 -- A pre-emptive attack by the United States against North Korea is "high risk" and "unpredictable," says a former top US military commander and intelligence chief, amid reports that the administration of US President Donald Trump is mulling a strike to take out the North's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
KCNA Commentary on U.S. Moves to Resume Joint Military Exercises after Olympics KCNA 19 Feb 2018 -- Displeased with the atmosphere for detente being created on the Korean peninsula thanks to the peace-loving and proactive measure taken by the DPRK, the U.S. is openly going against it.
North Korea warns US against ruining rapprochement with South Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- North Korea says the United States will be responsible for the potential ruining of a recent rapprochement between Pyongyang and Seoul if America resumes its military drills with South Korea.
DPRK Media Denounces US Plans to Resume War Games With South Korea Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- North Korea has warned the US against holding planned military drills with South Korea.
US Open to Discussing Talks With North Korea VOA 19 Feb 2018 -- The U.S. is indicating a new willingness to talk with North Korea, but it is still difficult to see a peaceful resolution to the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula in the near future.
US using 'large sticks' to convince N Korea to give up nukes: Tillerson Press TV 17 Feb 2018 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said that the United States is using "large sticks" instead of carrots to convince North Korea to give up nuclear weapons.
As US Signals Openness to Talks With North Korea, Uncertainties Loom VOA 17 Feb 2018 -- Despite recent inter-Korean engagement at the Winter Olympics that has created a thaw for diplomacy between the United States and North Korea, the resumption of talks between the two sides remains elusive, former U.S. officials and analysts say.
At Olympics, North Korean Atrocities Overlooked by South, Overplayed by US VOA 15 Feb 2018 -- South Korea's Olympic outreach to North Korea has raised concerns that Seoul is willing to overlook human rights abuses to improve inter-Korean relations.
U.S.-S. Korea War Exercises Assailed KCNA 14 Feb 2018 -- The south Korean military recently staged a military maneuver Warrior Strike for "destroying WMDs" of the DPRK together with the 2nd Division of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces in south Korea. In the wake of it, the warmongers of the military staged a "coldest period exercise" in the area of Kyonggi Province from Feb. 5, going frantic with the military confrontation.
Kim Jong Un Orders to Promote Military Ranks of KPA Commanding Officers KCNA 14 Feb 2018 -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un ordered to promote the military ranks of commanding officers of the Korean People's Army on Tuesday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il.
Facing US Pressure, North Korea Turns to Sports Diplomacy VOA 14 Feb 2018 -- When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea in his New Year's speech, many North Korea watchers wondered what might have motivated the young leader to make the move that echoed his father's basketball diplomacy more than 20 years ago.
N Korea poses existential threat to America: US intelligence chief Press TV 13 Feb 2018 -- The US director of national intelligence says North Korea poses an existential threat to the United States.
US Official: N. Korea Will Be 'Most Confrontational' Mass Destruction Threat to US, Allies VOA 13 Feb 2018 -- U.S. National Intelligence Director Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee Tuesday during its annual worldwide threats hearing that North Korea's weapons of mass destruction will pose a significant danger to the U.S. and its allies in the near future.
Mattis says N Korea cannot drive wedge between US, S Korea Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- US Secretary of Defense James Mattis says says a temporary warming of relations between North Korea and South Korea could not drive a "wedge" between the United States and South Korea.
Pence sees "no daylight" in US-North Korea standoff Press TV 11 Feb 2018 -- US Vice President Mike Pence says "there is no daylight" in the ongoing standoff between the US and North Korea over Payongyang's missile and nuclear weapons programs, noting that Washington and its regional allies are going to maximize pressure on the North.
US threatens N Korea with war as 2 Koreas take leap towards peace Press TV 10 Feb 2018 -- The United States has yet again threatened North Korea with a military action as South Korea is witnessing a breakthrough in its relations with Pyongyang for the first time in more than 60 years.
N Korea's leader invites South's president for visit amid Olympic rapprochement Press TV 10 Feb 2018 -- In a major diplomatic overture to Seoul, North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, invites President Moon Jae-in of the South for a visit after senior officials of the two Koreas held rare top-level talks on the sidelines of Winter Olympics.
North Korean Leader Invites South Korean President to Pyongyang - Reports Sputnik 10 Feb 2018 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Pyongyang for a third intra-Korean summit, media reported on Saturday.
Pence: US, Allies United in Campaign to End North Korea's Nuclear Program VOA 10 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence left South Korea Saturday saying the U.S. and its allies are more committed than ever to dismantle North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs.
North Korea Proposes Inter-Korean Leaders Summit VOA 10 Feb 2018 -- South Korea's Olympic outreach achieved a diplomatic breakthrough Saturday when President Moon Jae-in was invited to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang.
Mysterious Missile Spotted Among ICBMs in North Korea's Military Parade Sputnik 09 Feb 2018 -- On Thursday, the eve of the opening ceremony for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, North Korea staged its very own military parade, filled with intercontinental ballistic missiles, speeches, and, of course, thousands of marching soldiers.
Kim Jong Un supervises over military parade to mark army founding People's Daily 09 Feb 2018 -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Thursday supervised over a grand military parade displaying the country's most powerful weapons, including the Hwasong 15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), state television reported.
N.Korea displays most advanced ICBM at military parade People's Daily 09 Feb 2018 -- North Korea displayed its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile at a military parade on Thursday, one day ahead of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
Pence: U.S., Allies to Continue Peacefully Dismantling North Korea's Nuke Program AFPS 08 Feb 2018 -- In recent years, North Korea has threatened the United States and its allies across the Indo-Pacific region, and for the past two decades, it's devoted every available resource to developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, Vice President Mike Pence told American and Japanese troops at Yokota Air Base in Japan yesterday.
North Korea holds major military parade, ups rhetoric against US Press TV 08 Feb 2018 -- North Korea has held a major parade a day before the opening of the Winter Olympics in the South, in a clear warning to the United States that any act of invasion would be met with the toughest response possible.
North Korea snubs US: No plan to meet American officials Press TV 08 Feb 2018 -- North Korea says it has "no intention" of meeting with American officials during the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.
Pence Counters South Korea's Olympic Engagement Efforts with North Korea VOA 08 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence assured South Korea the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with its allies to bring "maximum pressure" on North Korea to end its nuclear and ballistic missile program.
Younger Sister of North Korean Leader Prepares for Spotlight VOA 08 Feb 2018 -- Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, will be the first member of the country's ruling party to enter South Korea when she arrives at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony Friday in Pyeongchang.
UN Permits North Korean Officials to Visit South Korea VOA 08 Feb 2018 -- The United Nations has given approval for a high-level North Korean delegation to travel to South Korea for the Olympics, granting an exemption on sanctions against the repressive regime.
Mike Pence announces 'toughest' sanctions against North Korea Press TV 07 Feb 2018 -- US Vice President Mike Pence has said Washington will soon unveil its "toughest sanctions ever" on North Korea to force it to abandon its nuclear and missile programs.
North Korean leader's sister to travel to South for Olympics: Seoul Press TV 07 Feb 2018 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister will be part of a North Korean delegation that will visit the South for the Winter Olympics, South Korea says.
Kim Jong-Un's Sister Set to Visit South Korea for the First Time Sputnik 07 Feb 2018 -- According to Seoul's unification ministry, Kim Yo-Jong as a member of the DPRK delegation will travel to the South for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games.
US to Unveil 'Toughest, Most Aggressive Ever' Sanctions Against N Korea - Pence Sputnik 07 Feb 2018 -- The United States will soon roll out its "toughest and most aggressive" round of economic sanctions to ensure the denuclearization against North Korea, US Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday.
Sister of North Korean Leader to Visit South for Winter Olympics VOA 07 Feb 2018 -- The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will travel to South Korea this week for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Pence Announces US to Issue 'Toughest, Most Aggressive' North Korea Sanctions VOA 07 Feb 2018 -- Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday the United States will soon announce its "the toughest and most aggressive" economic sanctions ever against North Korea.
North Korea accuses US of deploying large nukes, mulling preemptive strike Press TV 06 Feb 2018 -- North Korea has accused the United States of "deploying large nuclear assets" on the Korean Peninsula and laying the foundation for a potential preemptive strike against it.
Beijing: No Troops, Missile Defense Batteries Moved to North Korean Border Sputnik 06 Feb 2018 -- The Chinese Ministry of National Defense rejected media reports on Tuesday that People's Liberation Army troops had been transferred to the China-North Korea border for missile defense purposes and potential war preparations.
North Korea: US Considers Limited Pre-Emptive Strike Sputnik 06 Feb 2018 -- The North Korean envoy to UN disarmament talks has accused Washington of seeking to aggravate the situation on the Korean peninsula.
China prohibits export of more dual-use goods to North Korea Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- China has released yet another list of commodities prohibited from export to North Korea, saying the items could likely be used to develop weapons of mass destruction, amid a persisting standoff between the North and the US over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.
German Intelligence Accuses North Korean of Smuggling Weapons Through Embassy Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- The director of Germany's domestic intelligence agency has accused North Korea of using their Berlin embassy to acquire and smuggle parts for their missile and nuclear weapons programs.
China Expands Sanctions Against North Korea, Bans Exports of Dual-Use Products Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- China has released an enhanced list of goods banned for export to North Korea, saying the items could be used to build weapons of mass destruction, amid a dead heat between North Korea and the US over weapons programs.
Might US strike North Korea to help GOP in midterm elections? Press TV 04 Feb 2018 -- A US National Security Council (NSC) official has reportedly suggested that a limited preemptive strike on North Korea could help the Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections - a claim rebutted by the White House.
Pyongyang Accuses Trump of Hindering Efforts to Mend Ties With South Sputnik 04 Feb 2018 -- Relations between North and South Koreas have surpassed a stumbling block, with the two countries having held a number of official meeting, following Kim Jong-un's order to restore a hotline between the two countries.
North Korea to Send High-level Delegation to Winter Olympics in South Korea VOA 04 Feb 2018 -- North Korea's ceremonial head of state will lead a high-level Pyongyang delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea later this week, officials in Seoul said Sunday.
Pence Intent to Counter North Korea's Olympic Charm Offensive VOA 04 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence embarks on a trip this week to Northeast Asia meant to enhance his profile – he plans to visit as many as 10 countries this year – and to help counter North Korea's charm offensive at the Winter Olympics.
German spy chief: Pyongyang procures missile parts via Berlin embassy Press TV 03 Feb 2018 -- Germany's BfV domestic intelligence agency has said that North Korea has been purchasing parts for its missile program via its embassy in Berlin.
Banned North Korean Coal 'Exported To Russia, Elsewhere' RFE/RL 03 Feb 2018 -- A report by the United Nations claims that North Korea shipped banned commodities to a number of countries, including Russia, in 2017, helping it to earn some $200 million in revenue.
North Korea warns against resumption of US-South Korea war games after Olympics Press TV 02 Feb 2018 -- North Korea has warned against plans by the United States to resume joint war games with South Korea following the Winter Olympics, insisting in an official letter to the United Nations that it will not "sit idle" in response.
Pentagon Reportedly 'Slow-Walking' North Korean Military Plans to White House Sputnik 02 Feb 2018 -- The New York Times has reported that the Department of Defense (DoD) has been slow to release their detailed war plans with the White House as they fear US President Donald Trump may actually use them.
North Korea Accuses US of Deploying Aircraft Carriers Around Korean Peninsula Sputnik 02 Feb 2018 -- While the US and South Korea have decided to postpone military drills in the wake of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games, tensions on the peninsula show no signs of abating despite the joint efforts by Pyongyang and Seoul.
Second Taiwanese man questioned about oil sales to North Korea CNA 01 Feb 2018 -- A second Taiwanese man is suspected of selling oil to North Korea in violation of United Nations sanctions imposed on Pyongyang last year, after a similar case earlier this year, an official from the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office said on Thursday.
DPRK Foreign Minister Sends Letter to UN Secretary General KCNA 01 Feb 2018 -- Ri Yong Ho, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on Wednesday sent a letter to Antonio Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations.
Some Trump advisers want US to give 'bloody nose' to North Korea Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- A new report shows some advisers inside the Donald Trump administration want the United States to carry out a military action against North Korea to give it a "bloody nose," but some others are cautioning about such action.

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February 2018 - North Korea Special Weapons News