October 2018 - North Korea Special Weapons News

North Korea preparing sites for int'l inspections: Seoul Press TV 31 Oct 2018 -- North Korea has been making preparations at several of its weapons sites ahead of visits by international inspectors, South Korea says.
North Korea Preparing Nuclear Site for International Inspections - Reports Sputnik 31 Oct 2018 -- North Korea has started preparing its Punggye-ri nuclear test site for international inspections, local media reported on Wednesday, citing South Korea's Democratic Party secretary.
S. Korea makes efforts to declare end to Korean War within 2018: minister People's Daily 29 Oct 2018 -- South Korea has been making efforts to declare an official end to the 1950-53 Korean War within this year, the country's unification minister said Monday.
US Envoy to N. Korea Expresses Confidence About Denuclearization VOA 29 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. special envoy for North Korea has expressed confidence about achieving the communist country's nuclear disarmament.
U.S. Distortion of Facts Censured KCNA 27 Oct 2018 -- The director of the Pyongyang Friendship Hospital gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on Saturday as regards allegations coming out recently within the U.S., which distort the truth as to the cause of death of an American student Warmbier.
Inter-Korean Military Talks Held KCNA 27 Oct 2018 -- Inter-Korean general-level military talks were held at the Thongil House of Panmunjom on Friday under an agreement of the north-south high-level talks for implementing the historic "September Pyongyang Joint Declaration".
US General: Diplomatic Success to Lead to Military 'Discomfort' on Korean Peninsula VOA 27 Oct 2018 -- The top U.S. general says diplomatic efforts on the Korean Peninsula will lead to military "discomfort" in the coming months, as leaders try to strike a "very difficult balance" between military risk and political progress.
Koreas Continue Tension-Easing Talks as the North Criticizes US VOA 26 Oct 2018 -- North and South Korea continued joint military talks Friday in the truce-village of Panmunjom. The talks took place as the Joint Security Area (JSA) began implementing new protocols designed to reduce tension, while North Korea continued criticizing the United States' push for continued sanctions.
North Korean official warn US against 'confidence-destroying measures' Press TV 25 Oct 2018 -- A North Korean official tells a security forum in Beijing that US sanctions are "confidence-destroying" and hinder the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula.
'Koreas officially start demilitarizing border zone' Press TV 25 Oct 2018 -- South and North Koreas have officially launched the demilitarization process of a border village, Seoul says, as part of an agreement to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Treasury Designates Singapore-Based Targets for Laundering Money in Support of North Korea US Treasury 25 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced North Korea-related designations of two entities and one individual, continuing the implementation of existing sanctions. In a related action, today the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed criminal charges against the same individual, Tan Wee Beng.
Will Canceling Joint Exercises Move N. Korea Closer toward Denuclearization? VOA 24 Oct 2018 -- After the United States announced it was suspending a joint air defense military exercise with South Korea, Seoul announced it will conduct its own drill.
S.Korea, DPRK, UN Command agree to withdraw firearms, guard posts from JSA in border area People's Daily 23 Oct 2018 -- South Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United Nations Command agreed on Monday to withdraw firearms and guard posts by Thursday from the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the inter-Korean border area, South Korea's defense ministry said.
UN Expert on Human Rights Welcomes Thaw on Korean Peninsula VOA 23 Oct 2018 -- The United Nations independent expert on human rights for North Korea has welcomed political talks and denuclearization efforts, but urged that the human rights situation not be forgotten.
S. Korea, DPRK, UN Command hold 2nd consultation on disarming JSA People's Daily 22 Oct 2018 -- South Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United Nations Command held the second consultation Monday on disarming the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the inter-Korean border area, Seoul's defense ministry said.
Two Koreas, UN Command agree to remove firearms, guard posts from common border Press TV 22 Oct 2018 -- North and South Korea and the US-led United Nations Command (UNC) have reached an agreement to withdraw firearms and guard posts from the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) village of Panmunjom, Seoul's defense ministry says.
North, S Koreas to Pull Firearms From Joint Security Area by Thursday - Seoul Sputnik 22 Oct 2018 -- Seoul, Pyongyang, and the UN Command (UNC) on Monday agreed to withdraw firearms and military posts from the village of Panmunjom, known as the Joint Security Area (JSA), in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) by Thursday, the Ministry of Defense said.
Inter-Korean Military Pact Leaves Washington Uneasy VOA 19 Oct 2018 -- A gap is growing between Washington and Seoul over an inter-Korean military pact that Washington worries might weaken South Korea's defenses against a North Korea attack.
Two Koreas, US-led UN Command hold trilateral talks on disarming border Press TV 16 Oct 2018 -- North Korea, South Korea, and the US-led United Nations Command (UNC) have held their first talks on demilitarizing the heavily-fortified border between the two Koreas as part of a deal signed last month between Seoul and Pyongyang.
Two Koreas and UN Command Holds First Talks on Border Demilitarization Sputnik 16 Oct 2018 -- North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed during last month's summit in Pyongyang to a three-way meeting with the UN Command to start dismantling the heavily-armed border between the two countries, South Korea's Defense Ministry told Reuters.
Three-Way Talks Begin on Disarming Key Part of Korean Border VOA 16 Oct 2018 -- Negotiators from North and South Korea, along with the U.S.-led United Nations Command, are holding their first talks Tuesday on demilitarizing a section of the heavily fortified border that separates the rival Koreas.
Inter-Korean High-Level Talks Held KCNA 16 Oct 2018 -- Inter-Korean high-level talks for implementing the historic "September Pyongyang Joint Declaration" were held at the "House of Peace" in the south side portion of Panmunjom on Monday.
S. Korea, DPRK start high-level talks to discuss implementation of Pyongyang Declaration People's Daily 15 Oct 2018 -- South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) kicked off high-level talks Monday in the border village of Panmunjom to discuss ways to implement the Pyongyang Declaration, which the leaders of the two Koreas announced in the latest summit in Pyongyang in September.
S.Korea, DPRK agree to break ground for railway, road connection People's Daily 15 Oct 2018 -- South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed Monday to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in late November or early December to modernize and eventually connect railways and roads across the inter-Korean border.
Moon: World must end mistrust of Kim's bid to abandon nukes Press TV 15 Oct 2018 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in says he has been "convinced" that the North's leader is sincere in his bid to abandon nuclear arms, urging the world community to end its "mistrust" of Kim Jong-un and reward him, instead, for his peace efforts.
Two Koreas Agree to Start Connecting Railways in November-December – Reports Sputnik 15 Oct 2018 -- North and South Korean authorities have agreed to hold a ceremony for the launch of work on interconnecting roads and railways through the buffer zone that separates the countries in late November – early December, Yonhap news agency reported on Monday.
Kim Refuses to Provide Lists of Nuclear Sites to US - Reports Sputnik 15 Oct 2018 -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un refused to provide the list of the Asian nation's nuclear facilities to US State Secretary Mike Pompeo until the signing of a declaration ending the 1950-1953 Korean War, media reported citing sources.
Koreas Resume High-Level Talks as Moon Presses for Sanction Relief VOA 15 Oct 2018 -- North and South Korea held high-level talks within the heavily fortified demilitarized zone Monday.
South Korea president urges US to declare end of war with North Press TV 13 Oct 2018 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in has urged the US to come to terms with the North's demand for a formal declaration of an end to the Korean war, amid growing differences between the two major allies.
North Korea Seeking to Expand Ties With Russia - Foreign Minister Sputnik 13 Oct 2018 -- North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said that Pyongyang is seeking to expand ties with Moscow in 2019.
Experts See Scant Progress From Pompeo's North Korea Trip VOA 11 Oct 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is calling his recent trip to Pyongyang a success, but experts experienced in negotiating with Pyongyang remain unclear what he achieved in his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump says South Korea needs US approval to relieve sanctions against North Press TV 11 Oct 2018 -- US President Donald Trump says South Korea would need Washington's approval to relieve sanctions against North Korea imposed over the 2010 sinking of a South Korean warship.
Seoul Not Mulling Lifting Sanctions Imposed on DPRK After 2010 Warship Incident Sputnik 11 Oct 2018 -- Seoul is not considering the possibility of lifting its sanctions imposed on Pyongyang following the March 2010 sinking of South Korean corvette Cheonan, South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon stated.
Joint Press Release of DPRK-Russia-China Negotiations Made Public KCNA 11 Oct 2018 -- A joint press release was made public at the three-party negotiations of vice foreign ministers of the DPRK, Russia and China held in Moscow on Oct. 9, 2018.
Seoul Can Lift Sanctions Imposed on North Korea After 2010 Warship Sinking Sputnik 10 Oct 2018 -- South Korea is considering the removal of sanctions that were imposed on North Korea after the March 2010 sinking of South Korean corvette Cheonan, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has stated.
Flag Stirs South Korean Anger at Japan VOA 10 Oct 2018 -- South Korea's Jeju Island welcomed nearly 20 fleets from more than ten countries as it kicked off a five-day international naval review. However, the ghost and painful memory of World War II atrocities appeared this week when Japan, a key U.S. ally in the region and less than 1,000 kilometers away, elected to skip this year's event after Seoul requested ships from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force not to fly their naval ensign, the 16-ray rising sun flag. Despite Tokyo's absence from the event, the dispute over the flag is expected to continue between the two countries even after its conclusion.
Russia, China, North Korea agree on five-way talks Press TV 10 Oct 2018 -- Russia, China and North Korea have agreed on the need for five-way negotiations including the US and South Korea to resolve tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
UNSC Should Begin Reconsidering Sanctions Against Pyongyang – Joint Statement Sputnik 10 Oct 2018 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has reported that Moscow, Beijing and Pyongyang support the idea of holding talks between the US, China, North Korea and South Korea regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Trump says to meet DPRK's Kim after U.S. mid-term elections People's Daily 10 Oct 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) , will be held after the mid-term Congressional elections in early November.
After Meeting Kim, Pompeo Says Now Sees Path to Denuclearized North Korea Sputnik 09 Oct 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that after his recent meeting with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un, he can now see a path forward toward the goal of denuclearizing North Korea.
Critical food programmes in North Korea can't wait for 'diplomatic progress', UN food agency warns UN News 09 Oct 2018 -- North Korea's humanitarian situation remains dire, with widespread chronic food insecurity and malnutrition, the United Nations emergency food relief agency has warned, urging greater and sustained funding for its aid operations there.
Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Meets U.S. Secretary of State KCNA 08 Oct 2018 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Sunday received Mike Pompeo, secretary of State of the United States of America on a visit to the DPRK.
Construction of Tanchon Power Station Progresses Apace on in DPRK KCNA 08 Oct 2018 -- Signal achievements have been made at the construction site of the Tanchon Power Station in the DPRK.
Pompeo briefs S Korea on tour to DPRK People's Daily 08 Oct 2018 -- U.S. State Department said here on Sunday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday had briefed South Korea on his just concluded travel to the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
U.S., DPRK agree to hold 2nd Trump-Kim summit at earliest possible date: Pompeo People's Daily 08 Oct 2018 -- The United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have agreed to hold the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un at an earliest possible date, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday.
North Korea agrees to allow inspectors into nuclear, missile sites: Pompeo Press TV 08 Oct 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has agreed to allow inspectors into the country's key nuclear and missile testing sites, following their meeting in the North's capital, Pyongyang.
North Korea's Kim Agrees To Second Trump Summit, Seoul Says RFE/RL 08 Oct 2018 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has agreed to a second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, South Korea says.
North Korea's Kim Hopes for 'Great Progress' at Next Trump Summit – Reports Sputnik 08 Oct 2018 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Monday he expected significant results at his second meeting with US President Donald Trump, in a message carried by state media.
A Second Trump-Kim Appears Closer, Experts Still Await Concrete Denuclearization Steps VOA 08 Oct 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made his fourth trip to Pyongyang Sunday. During his day-long trip to North Korea, Pompeo and leader Kim Jong Un agreed to arrange a second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump "as soon as possible." Pompeo called the talks with Kim, productive and "another step forward" to denuclearization. However, experts aren't as confident.
Secretary Pompeo's Meetings in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea US Dept. of State 07 Oct 2018 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Pompeo Says Held 'Good' Meeting With N Korea's Kim, Continues to Make Progress Sputnik 07 Oct 2018 -- US State Secretary Mike Pompeo said that he held a "good" meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to Pyongyang.
Seoul: US, N. Korea Agree to Second Summit 'As Soon as Possible' VOA 07 Oct 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have agreed to arrange a second U.S.-North Korea summit "as soon as possible."
DPRK, S.Korea call for end to war on peninsula People's Daily 06 Oct 2018 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea called for a complete end to the danger of war, the official media reported here Saturday.
South Korea unveils plan to break deadlock in US-N Korea talks Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- South Korea has proposed that the US declare an end to the Korean War, a key demand of Pyongyang, in exchange for a verified closure of a major North Korean nuclear facility as the next step in stalled negotiations.
US's Pompeo retracts remark on N Korea denuclearization Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reportedly retracted his earlier remark that North Korea has agreed to a goal of giving up its nuclear weapons by the end of US President Donald Trump's current term in January 2021.
Treasury Designates Company in Turkey for Attempting To Trade Arms and Luxury Goods with North Korea US Treasury 04 Oct 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 entity and three individuals designates a company in Turkey for its attempts to circumvent sanctions on goods that have long been prohibited by UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. This action reinforces the United States' ongoing commitment to implement decisions of the UNSC.
Pompeo to travel to DPRK, meeting with Kim for talks People's Daily 03 Oct 2018 -- U.S. State Department said Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for further talks concerning the country's denuclearization.
War End Is Not Just Gift: KCNA Commentary KCNA 02 Oct 2018 -- Some Korean issue experts of America are recently spouting such rubbish that the U.S. should force the DPRK to not only notify its nuclear program and have it verified but also dismantle its Nyongbyon nuclear facility and missile facility in return for the U.S. response to its call for a war-end declaration.
North Korea has up to 60 nuclear bombs: Seoul Press TV 02 Oct 2018 -- A South Korean minister says that North Korea is estimated to have up to 60 nuclear weapons, in Seoul's first public comment about the size of the North's arsenal.
Russia summons South Korean envoy over impounded vessel Press TV 02 Oct 2018 -- Russia has summoned South Korea's ambassador to Moscow, demanding that Seoul immediately release a Russian shipping vessel that it has been "illegally" holding in the port of Busan.
Pompeo to Meet With North Korea's Kim in Pyongyang in October – State Dept Sputnik 02 Oct 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will have a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Sunday as part of his trip to Asia, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reports on Tuesday.
Seoul to Repeal Inter-Korean Accords in Event of Provocation by Pyongyang – PM Sputnik 01 Oct 2018 -- Seoul will cancel all newly signed inter-Korean agreements with Pyongyang if the latter again carries out provocations, such as missile launches, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon stated.
DPRK FM Meets His Foreign Counterparts, UN High-ranking Officials KCNA 01 Oct 2018 -- Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, who is attending the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly as a head of a delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, respectively had talks with foreign ministers of China, Russia, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Venezuela, Cote d'Ivoire, Algeria, Cuba, Burundi, Norway and Brazil, minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Mongolia, the minister responsible for Foreign Affairs of Oman, the UN under secretary-general for Political Affairs and the executive director of the UNICEF.
Ri Yong Ho talked about the issues of developing the bilateral relations with those countries and strengthening cooperation on the arena of the UN in line with the trend of the development of the present situation on the Korean peninsula.
S.Korea, DPRK launch landmine removal in border areas People's Daily 01 Oct 2018 -- South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday launched the removal of landmines in border areas as part of efforts to implement the inter-Korean military agreement, local media reported citing Seoul's defense ministry.
North, South Korea begin removing landmines along border: Seoul Press TV 01 Oct 2018 -- Seoul says North and South Korea have begun removing landmines along their fortified border in a confidence-building measure under a new agreement reached between the two neighboring states in Pyongyang last month.
South, North Korea Start Demining Demilitarized Zone Sputnik 01 Oct 2018 -- Troops from North Korea and South Korea have started removing landmines from the demilitarized zone that separates the two countries as part of an agreement to search for the remains of soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War, the South Korean Defense Ministry told Sputnik.

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October 2018 - North Korea Special Weapons News