August 2018 - North Korea Special Weapons News

South Korea to dispatch special envoys to North to prepare for summit Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- South Korea will send special envoys to North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, on Wednesday to discuss the details of next month's summit between the leaders of the two countries, a presidential spokesman says.
South Korea Proposes Reclassifying North Korean Abductees as Missing VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- A proposed South Korean law to reclassify abductees held in the North as "missing persons," is drawing strong criticism from human rights advocates.
Russian envoy blocks publication of UN report critical of North Korea Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- Russia has delayed the publication of a report on North Korea by a United Nations Security Council panel, disputing some elements in the official paper.
Russia Blocking UN Report Finding North Korea Is Violating Sanctions RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- Russia is blocking publication of a United Nations report finding North Korea in violation of UN sanctions limiting its imports of fuel, including through some illegal transfers of oil at sea involving Russian ships, UN diplomats said.
China to US: You Can't Take Credit for DPRK Successes, Blame Us for Failures Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Following repeated assertions by US President Donald Trump that talks with North Korea are stalling due to China's influence, China fired back on Thursday, doubling down on its commitment to the negotiation process and saying the US shouldn't blame China when talks stall while patting itself on the back for any successes.
South and North Koreas Prepare for Summit VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- South Korea is sending a special envoy to North Korea next week to discuss the arrangements for a third summit between the two countries' leaders.
Russia Vetoes UN Security Council Report on North Korea - Envoy to UN Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Russia has vetoed a report on North Korea by a UN Security Council independent panel over differences about its contents, Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia said Thursday.
US Extends Travel Ban to North Korea VOA 30 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. on Thursday extended the ban on Americans' travel to North Korea for another year, saying it was too dangerous to go there.
Japan, N Korea Held Secret Talks in Vietnam Without Informing US – Reports Sputnik 29 Aug 2018 -- Senior officials from Japan and North Korea held secret negotiations in Vietnam in July without the United States' knowledge, The Washington Post reported, citing informed sources.
US Pivots Again, Renews Pressure on North Korea VOA 29 Aug 2018 -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that the United States could at any time restart joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan if progress stalls on North Korean denuclearization and warned that "they will be far bigger than ever before."
Japan says North Korea still a 'serious, imminent threat' Press TV 28 Aug 2018 -- Japan says North Korea continues to pose a "serious and imminent threat" to the country despite Pyongyang's suspension of its missile and nuclear tests as well as diplomacy involving the United States and South Korea.
US has no plans to suspend more military exercises with South Korea: Mattis Press TV 28 Aug 2018 -- US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said the United States has no plans to suspend more military joint exercises with South Korea, months after the US military indefinitely suspended major maneuvers with the Asian country.
North Korean Letter Warning US Peace Talks Were Precarious Axed Pompeo's Trip Sputnik 28 Aug 2018 -- The cancellation late last week of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's next visit to North Korea was apparently motivated by a letter sent by top North Korean officials indicating their wariness about the success of future talks.
Tokyo Says Pyongyang 'Appears to Possess Several Hundred Nodong Missiles' Sputnik 28 Aug 2018 -- Japan still considers North Korean nuclear and missile program "an unprecedentedly serious and imminent" threat to its security despite the alleviation of tensions on the Korean peninsula, the country's Defense Ministry said in an annual white paper on Tuesday.
Minju Joson Snipes at Good-for-Nothing Moves of U.S. Military KCNA 28 Aug 2018 -- Recently, special operation forces of the U.S. based in Japan staged a long-range infiltration drill, according to a report by a south Korean broadcasting service. The troops were reportedly landed on an island of the Philippines by a transport plane.
S Korean President May Encourage Kim to Negotiate With US - Reports Sputnik 26 Aug 2018 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in may help advance talks between Washington and Pyongyang by acting as a mediator during his visit to North Korea for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in fall, the Yonhap News Agency reported citing an official from the presidential office.
Reunion of Separated Families and Relatives from North and South Ends KCNA 26 Aug 2018 -- There ended the reunion of separated families and relatives from the north and the south held at Mt Kumgang Resort as part of practical measures for implementing the historic Panmunjom declaration.
North Korean blasts 'double-dealing' US for hatching 'criminal plot' Press TV 26 Aug 2018 -- In the freighted atmosphere surrounding the relations between Pyongyang and the Washington, a North Korean newspaper has lambasted the administration of US President Donald Trump for its "double-dealing" and "hatching a criminal plot."
North Korean Media Slams 'Double-Dealing' US After Pompeo's Visit Cancelation Sputnik 26 Aug 2018 -- Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that he was directing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to delay his visit next to North Korea.
Trump cancels Pompeo trip to DPRK, citing lack of 'sufficient progress' on denuclearization People's Daily 25 Aug 2018 -- US President Donald Trump on Friday tweeted that he has asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to cancel his upcoming trip to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), publicly acknowledging for the first time that progress on the Peninsula denuclearization is lacking.
China hits back at Trump for 'irresponsible' comments about Korean Peninsula Press TV 25 Aug 2018 -- China says the recent "irresponsible" comments made by President Donald Trump of the United States about Beijing's commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula contradict "basic facts."
Trump calls off Pompeo's planned visit to North Korea Press TV 25 Aug 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned trip by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to North Korea, citing unsatisfactory progress on the denuclearization of Pyongyang.
US Claims About China Impacting Talks With N Korea 'Irresponsible' - Beijing Sputnik 25 Aug 2018 -- The United States' claims that China has been impacting Washington's talks with Pyongyang on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula are irresponsible and contradict the facts, Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang, said in a statement on Saturday.
'Not Making Sufficient Progress': Trump Cancels Pompeo's Visit to North Korea Sputnik 24 Aug 2018 -- In a trio of Tweets Friday, US President Donald Trump announced he was directing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to delay his upcoming trip next week to North Korea because "we are not making sufficient progress" on denuclearization.
Pompeo Announces Special Envoy to N Korea to Oversee Denuclearization Progress Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Thursday that Ford Motor Company International Governmental Affairs Vice President Stephen Biegun will be the Department of State's special representative for North Korea.
North Korea Appears to Halt Dismantlement of Key Missile Site – Reports Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- North Korea seems to have stopped dismantling what it calls a satellite launching station, believed to be a test site for intercontinental ballistic missiles, a US-South Korean monitoring website said.
Remarks on the Appointment of Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun US Dept. of State 23 Aug 2018 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Ford Executive Named US Envoy to North Korea VOA 23 Aug 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has named Ford Vice President Stephen Biegun as Special Representative to North Korea.
Separated Families and Relatives from North and South Meet KCNA 22 Aug 2018 -- There takes place a reunion of separated families and relatives from the north and the south at Mt Kumgang Resort as part of the practical measures being taken to implement the Panmunjom declaration.
U.S. Treasury sanctions individuals, entities over Russia, DPRK-related accusations People's Daily 22 Aug 2018 -- U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday announced sanctions on several individuals and entities over their involvement in actions against the U.S. sanction measures on Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
'Leakage' of Coal From North to South Korea Worries Experts VOA 21 Aug 2018 -- Following Seoul's announcement that South Korean companies have illegally imported North Korean coal, U.S. experts are worried about North Korean trade that contravenes international sanctions.
S Korea Plans to Remove Nearly Ten Guard Posts at Border With N Korea – Minister Sputnik 21 Aug 2018 -- South Korea is planning to close nearly 10 guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as part of efforts aimed at reducing military tensions with North Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday citing South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo.
UN watchdog says no indication North Korea nuclear activities stopped Press TV 21 Aug 2018 -- The UN nuclear watchdog says there is no indication that North Korea has stopped its nuclear activities.
Treasury Targets Russian Shipping Companies for Violations of North Korea-related United Nations Security Council Resolutions US Treasury 21 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced North Korea-related designations, continuing the implementation of existing United Nations (UN) and U.S. sanctions. Today's action against two entities and six vessels was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13810 of September 20, 2017, and targets persons involved in the ship-to-ship transfer of refined petroleum products with North Korea-flagged vessels, an activity expressly prohibited by the UN Security Council (UNSC).
UN chief welcomes event reuniting families on the Korean Peninsula UN News 21 Aug 2018 -- The decision to allow scores of people from South Korea to reunite with their relatives north of the border has been welcomed by the UN Secretary-General.
Possible Chinese President Visit to Pyongyang Raises Doubts on Sanctions VOA 20 Aug 2018 -- Reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea in September raise questions about whether Beijing will ease sanctions against Pyongyang, as relations between China and the U.S. grow increasingly tense over trade.
DPRK-U.S. Ties Can Never Become Victim of Political Scramble in U.S. KCNA 18 Aug 2018 -- Handshakes of the top leaders of the DPRK and the U.S. are the greatest event in the present century declaring an end of the most longstanding and acute cold war on this planet.
Chinese president to pay formal visit to N Korea in Sept.: Report Press TV 18 Aug 2018 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly planning to visit North Korea in September at the invitation of the country's leader Kim Jong-un to take part in the 70th anniversary of the North's founding.
China President State Visit to DPRK Planned for September - Reports Sputnik 18 Aug 2018 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Pyongyang next month as relations between China and North Korea continue to improve, Singapore-based The Straits Times reported Saturday.
North Korean leader lashes out at 'hostile forces' over 'brigandish' sanctions Press TV 17 Aug 2018 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Friday strongly denounced the international sanctions on his country, saying that 'hostile forces' are trying to 'stifle' the North Korean nation by imposing such bans.
US targets Russian, Chinese firms for violating North Korea sanctions Press TV 16 Aug 2018 -- The US Treasury is imposing new sanctions on companies in Russia, China and Singapore for violating North Korea sanctions.
Seoul, Pyongyang Fully Restore Military Communication Line - Defense Ministry Sputnik 15 Aug 2018 -- North and South Korea have fully restored their military communication line, which includes a telephone and fax machine, as part of the two states' efforts to boost bilateral ties, as agreed at an inter-Korean summit in April, the South Korean Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
Seoul Intends to Establish Single Economic Community With Pyongyang - Reports Sputnik 15 Aug 2018 -- South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday his planned third summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next month would be another step towards the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and an end to the 1950-53 Korean War.
U.S. Imposes Sanctions On Russian, Chinese Firms Over North Korea Trade RFE/RL 15 Aug 2018 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on three foreign companies it says are helping North Korea with illicit shipments of goods to fund its nuclear program.
Treasury Targets Shipping Industry and Other Facilitators of North Korea United Nations Security Council Violations US Treasury 15 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced North Korea-related designations, continuing the implementation of existing UN and U.S. sanctions. Today's action against one individual and three entities was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13810 of September 20, 2017, and targets persons involved in facilitating illicit shipments on behalf of North Korea. This action reinforces the United States' ongoing commitment to prevent financial flows to the DPRK's unlawful WMD programs and activities, in accordance with the decisions of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
US Sanctions Chinese, Russian, Singaporean Firms for North Korea Trading VOA 15 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. on Wednesday sanctioned companies in China, Russia and Singapore it says were violating the trade embargo with North Korea, Washington's latest effort to keep pressure on Pyongyang to end its nuclear weapons development.
North Korea has rejected all US proposals on denuclearization: CNN Press TV 11 Aug 2018 -- North Korea has rejected "repeated" US proposals on denuclearization, considering them "gangster-like", CNN has reported, citing senior diplomatic sources.
Russia, China Block U.S. Bid To Blacklist Moscow Bank At UN RFE/RL 10 Aug 2018 -- Russia and China have blocked a U.S. proposal to add a Russian bank and Moscow-based North Korean banker to a UN blacklist, UN diplomats have said.
North Korea may go through 'full-blown food security crisis,' Red Cross warns Press TV 10 Aug 2018 -- North Korea is likely to go through a "full-blown food security crisis" amid a heat wave that has destroyed fields of rice, maize and other crops, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned.
Russia, China block US bid for North Korea sanctions Press TV 10 Aug 2018 -- Russia and China have blocked a US request to add a Russian bank to a UN sanctions blacklist along with a North Korean official.
North Korean Heat Wave 'Potentially Catastrophic,' Warn International Charities Sputnik 10 Aug 2018 -- Experts warn that if the status-quo continues, the North Korean people may face a pandemic in the form of major food scarcity.
Three S Korean Firms Buying N Korean Coal May Have Violated Sanctions – Reports Sputnik 10 Aug 2018 -- Three South Korean companies may have violated the UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea by importing the latter's coal and pig iron, Yonhap news agency reported Friday, citing the Korea Customs Office (KCS).
S. Korea: N. Korean Coal, Iron Illegally Entered Its Ports VOA 10 Aug 2018 -- South Korea said Friday three South Korean companies apparently violated United Nations sanctions by importing nearly 35,000 tons of coal and iron worth nearly $6 million from the North last year.
DPRK condemns U.S. new sanctions, urging for joint effort to improve ties People's Daily 10 Aug 2018 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday condemned the United States for placing fresh sanctions on it and called on the country to respond to its efforts to improve bilateral ties.
Press Statement of Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 09 Aug 2018 -- The spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea made public the following press statement on Thursday:
S.Korea, DPRK to hold high-level talks on Aug. 13 People's Daily 09 Aug 2018 -- South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed Thursday to hold high-level talks on Aug. 13 at the border village of Panmunjom, according to Seoul's unification ministry.
Iran, North Korea seek closer ties amid US bans Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- On an official visit to Tehran, North Korea's foreign minister highlights his country's cordial and old-age relations with Iran, expressing satisfaction with growing bilateral relations amid US economic pressure on both states.
North Korea Praises Trump, Slams Other US Officials for Sabotaging Peace Sputnik 09 Aug 2018 -- The North Korean Foreign Ministry accused "high-level officials within the US administration" of "going against the intention of President Trump to advance the DPRK-US relations" in a statement Thursday. Meanwhile, the socialist state renewed calls for a permanent peace treaty so that "a mood will be created for creating trust."
Trump's security adviser says North Korea not taking steps to denuclearize Press TV 08 Aug 2018 -- US President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton says North Korea has not lived up to its end of the Singapore agreement on denuclearization.
North Korea Exceeding Commitment to Trump in Launch Site Dismantlement Sputnik 08 Aug 2018 -- Satellite footage appears to show that North Korea is dismantling a satellite launch pad at the Sohae Launching Station in a move that would go beyond the country's agreement with the US to completely denuclearize.
In Tokyo, UN chief expresses full support for US-Japan dialogue with North Korea UN News 08 Aug 2018 -- At a joint press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ongoing talks between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), as well as Japan's renewed initiative of dialogue with the country.
Bolton: North Korea Hasn't Taken Necessary Steps on Denuclearization Sputnik 07 Aug 2018 -- On Tuesday White House National Security Adviser John Bolton noted during an interview with Fox News that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is prepared to go back to North Korea in order to meet with the country's leader Kim Jong-un, adding that US President Donald Trump was also ready to meet with Kim any time.
Ministerial Meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum Welcomes Panmunjom Declaration and DPRK-U.S. Joint Statement KCNA 06 Aug 2018 -- A chairman's statement of the Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum was announced on August 6.
North Korea Urges US to Drop Sanctions After Showing Good Faith Sputnik 06 Aug 2018 -- On Monday, North Korean state media urged the US to drop its sanctions against the country, accusing Washington of using sanctions to "raise its negotiating power."
Report: Russia Set Up Clandestine Network For N. Korea Oil Shipments VOA 06 Aug 2018 -- Russia engaged in more extensive oil exports to North Korea than had been previously reported, by setting up an illicit trade network that is likely still being used today to evade United Nations sanctions, according a South Korean research organization.
DPRK Foreign Minister Makes Speech at ASEAN Regional Forum KCNA 05 Aug 2018 -- DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho Saturday made a speech at the Ministerial Meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum held in Singapore.
North Korean FM Slated To Visit Iran As U.S. Tensions Rise For Both Countries RFE/RL 04 Aug 2018 -- North Korea's foreign minister is scheduled to visit Iran on August 7, as both countries deal with stepped up political and financial pressure from the United States over their nuclear programs.
Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2018
Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-Wha US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2018
Chinese Foreign Minister Vows to Assist North Korean Economy Sputnik 04 Aug 2018 -- China will promote North Korea's economic growth and national development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Singapore on Friday.
Trump Letter Delivered to Kim; N. Korea 'Alarmed' at Sanctions VOA 04 Aug 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is wrapping up his Southeast Asia tour in Jakarta, but North Korea again is capturing much of the attention.
US Calls on Countries to Maintain Sanctions on North Korea VOA 04 Aug 2018 -- The United States has urged countries to be diligent in maintaining sanctions on North Korea.
Trump's letter to Kim delivered to North Koreans Press TV 04 Aug 2018 -- A US delegation has given North Koreans a letter from President Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea alarmed by US attitude toward nuclear deal Press TV 04 Aug 2018 -- North Korea has hit out at the US for urging that sanctions be maintained against Pyongyang, saying it is increasingly alarmed by US attitudes towards the country.
U.S. Calls On Russia To Comply With UN Sanctions On North Korea RFE/RL 04 Aug 2018 -- The United States has called on Russia to comply with UN sanctions on North Korea, citing "deeply troubling" reports that Moscow has granted new work permits to North Korean laborers that are barred under the sanctions.
N Korean FM Slams US' Stance on Pyongyang's Denuclearization Drive Sputnik 04 Aug 2018 -- In late July, US President Donald Trump praised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for making "terrific progress" toward peace, saying that "for nine months, no nuclear tests, no rockets are going up, no missiles are going over Japan."
North Korea Has Not Stopped Its Nuclear Program, Violates UN Sanctions - Reports Sputnik 04 Aug 2018 -- Pyongyang has not stopped its nuclear and missile programs in violation of the United Nations sanctions, according to a UN report seen by Reuters.
Chinese Foreign Minister Vows to Assist North Korean Economy Sputnik 04 Aug 2018 -- China will promote North Korea's economic growth and national development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Singapore on Friday.
Pompeo: North Korea's weapons program continues Press TV 03 Aug 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says North Korea continues work on its weapons programs despite its leader Kim Jong-un's promise to denuclearize.
Russia allows entry of thousands of North Korean workers: WSJ Press TV 03 Aug 2018 -- A US report says Russia has violated UN sanctions against North Korea by allowing thousands of North Korean laborers to work in the country.
U.S. Sanctions Russian Bank For 'Facilitating' Illicit North Korea Transactions RFE/RL 03 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. Treasury has targeted a Russian bank for "facilitating a significant transaction" on behalf of a person with ties to North Korea's banned weapons program.
Treasury Targets Russian Bank and Other Facilitators of North Korean United Nations Security Council Violations US Treasury 03 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced additional sanctions related to North Korea, continuing the enforcement of existing UN and U.S. sanctions. Today's action targets a Russian bank for knowingly facilitating a significant transaction on behalf of an individual designated for weapons of mass destruction-related activities in connection with North Korea. OFAC also targeted one individual and two entities for facilitating North Korean illicit financial activity.
Sanctions Could Complicate Return of Remains from North Korea VOA 03 Aug 2018 -- Recovering the remains of U.S. soldiers killed during the Korean War could be complicated by restrictions under international sanctions, experts said, even though the White House is hailing the effort as "the momentum for positive change" in relations between the United States and North Korea.
Trump receives a 'nice letter' from North Korean leader Press TV 02 Aug 2018 -- The White House says US President Donald Trump has received a new letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about their June 12 summit in Singapore.
Trump Receives Another Letter From North Korean Leader - White House Sputnik 02 Aug 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has received another letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a follow-up to their summit in Singapore in June, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said on Thursday.
Trump Receives Letter from North Korea's Kim VOA 02 Aug 2018 -- The White House says President Donald Trump has received a letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, following up on the two leaders' June summit in Singapore.
Inter-Korean Conventional Military Reductions Tied to Denuclearization VOA 01 Aug 2018 -- Inter-Korean military talks have so far yielded trust building measures, but no significant reductions in troops or artillery at the border
North-South General-Level Military Talks Held KCNA 01 Aug 2018 -- The north-south general-level military talks took place at the "House of Peace" in the south side portion of Panmunjom on Tuesday to implement the Panmunjom Declaration.

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August 2018 - North Korea Special Weapons News