February 2021 - North Korea Special Weapons News

Seoul Warns Sanctions Can Cause Humanitarian Crisis in North Korea Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- In a Friday interview with the Financial Times, South Korean Unification Minister Lee In-young urged for a review of the efficacy of sanctions on North Korea and warned that they can trigger a worsening of the humanitarian crisis in the country.
$2.3 Billion Awarded to USS Pueblo Crew, But How to Collect From North Korea? VOA 25 Feb 2021 -- More than 50 years ago, North Korea captured the USS Pueblo and subjected the spy ship's crew to "barbarity" for almost a year, treatment that "required medical and/or psychiatric intervention" for the men upon their release in December 1968.
US Court Orders N. Korea to Pay $2.3 Billion to Crew Members of USS Pueblo VOA 25 Feb 2021 -- The former crew of a U.S. intelligence ship seized by North Korea in 1968 are entitled to more than $2.3 billion in damages from Pyongyang for "the pain and suffering" they suffered during 11 months of captivity, a federal judge has ruled.
DPRK top leader emphasizes "moral discipline" within army People's Daily 25 Feb 2021 -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Wednesday emphasized establishing "the revolutionary moral discipline" within the Korean People's Army (KPA), the official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.
North Korea's Kim Appoints New Navy, Air Force Chiefs in 'Generation Shift' in Army Sputnik 25 Feb 2021 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for tougher discipline within the army and appointed new chiefs of the navy and the air force as he chaired an enlarged meeting of the central military commission, state media reported on Thursday.
Emergency Anti-epidemic Work Stepped up in DPRK KCNA 24 Feb 2021 -- The central emergency anti-epidemic sector in the DPRK has taken timely measures to further tighten the emergency anti-epidemic system and discipline amid the global pandemic crisis.
First Enlarged Meeting of Eighth Central Military Commission of WPK Held KCNA 25 Feb 2021 -- The First Enlarged Meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) took place at the office building of the Central Committee of the WPK on Feb. 24.
Chairman of WPK Central Military Commission Kim Jong Un Gives Order to Promote Military Ranks of Commanding Officers KCNA 25 Feb 2021 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), on Feb. 24 gave an order to promote the military ranks of major commanding officers.
Coronavirus Strands North Korean Workers in China, Kills Job Offers Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- North Korean overseas workers stranded in China by a border closure imposed to fight coronavirus are facing a dire situation as the pandemic has caused their job prospects to dry up, sources in China told RFA.
North Korea Orders State Firms to Raise Rabbits For Public Meat Stocks At Their Expense Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2021 -- North Korea's annual directive to state-run factories and companies to raise rabbits, pigs, and goats to improve citizens' diets has sparked resentment among managers and workers who now have to contribute cash and labor while struggling under harsh economic conditions.
US administration considering North Korean 'malign activity' in policy review Press TV 18 Feb 2021 -- The administration of US President Joe Biden says it is considering North Korea's "malign activity," including alleged cyber threats, in a review of US policy toward the country.
U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Meeting on Shared North Korea-Related Challenges US Dept. of State 18 Feb 2021 -- The Biden Administration is committed to strengthening U.S. alliance relationships, particularly with our key Northeast Asian allies Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Three North Koreans Indicted in Sony Hack VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. Justice Department has indicted three North Korean computer programmers for trying to extort and steal more than $1.3 billion as part of a global cyber scheme that included the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
US Charges Three North Korean Spies for Attempted Cybertheft of $1.3B Worldwide Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- The United States has charged three North Korean military intelligence operatives with attempting the cybertheft of $1.3 billion from banks and cryptocurrency companies around the world, including South and Southeast Asia, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Wednesday.
CISA, FBI, and Treasury Expose Latest Tool in North Korea's Cryptocurrency Theft Scheme – AppleJeus CISA 17 Feb 2021 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) issued a joint cybersecurity advisory about North Korean government malicious activity the U.S. government refers to as "AppleJeus."
Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers Delivers Remarks on the National Security Cyber Investigation into North Korean Operatives US Dept. of Justice 17 Feb 2021 -- Justice Department Announces New Charges in United States v. Jon Chang Hyok, Kim Il, and Park Jin Hyok (CDCA)
Three North Korean Military Hackers Indicted in Wide-Ranging Scheme to Commit Cyberattacks and Financial Crimes Across the Globe US Dept. of Justice 17 Feb 2021 -- Indictment Expands 2018 Case that Detailed Attack on Sony Pictures and Creation of WannaCry Ransomware by Adding Two New Defendants and Recent Global Schemes to Steal Money and Cryptocurrency from Banks and Businesses while Operating in North Korea, China
US Charges 3 North Korean Hackers in $1.3Bln Cyber Scheme, Justice Department Says Sputnik 17 Feb 2021 -- The United States has charged three North Korean hackers for allegedly orchestrating cyberattacks around the world to obtain $1.3 billion from financial institutions and businesses, the Justice Department said on Wednesday.
Hungry North Koreans Gripe at Being Forced to Sing and Dance For Late Former Leader Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- North Koreans pressed into mass public tributes to late leader Kim Jong Il for his 79th birth anniversary this month are now struggling to support themselves after missing work for political meetings, patriotic singing contests and dance parties, sources in the country told RFA.
As Biden Mulls North Korea, Some Urge Arms Control Approach VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump tried threats of "fire and fury," followed by personal letters and made-for-TV summits to convince North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear weapons.
North Korea Hacked Pfizer to Steal COVID-19 Vaccine Data, South Korea Says VOA 16 Feb 2021 -- North Korea launched a cyberattack on U.S. drugmaker Pfizer to steal the company's COVID-19 vaccine data, according to South Korea's intelligence agency.
S Korea's Intelligence Agency Claims Pyongyang Tried to Steal Pfizer Vaccine Technology, Reports Say Sputnik 16 Feb 2021 -- It is unknown whether the alleged hackers succeeded in getting useful information from the pharmaceutical company.
North Korea Puts $10,000 Bounty on Escaped Construction Workers in Russia Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2021 -- North Korean agents in Russia are offering a reward of up to U.S. $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of escaped North Korean construction workers, sources in Russia told RFA.
North Korean Leader Kim Blasts Cabinet For State of Economy, Lackluster Outlook Sputnik 12 Feb 2021 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un blasted the cabinet over the disastrous state of the economy, blaming the ministers for lacklustre drafting of the new five-year plan, state media reported.
North Korea Cracks Down on Illegal Gold Mining After Three Die in Mine Collapse Radio Free Asia 11 Feb 2021 -- North Korea has begun a crackdown on illegal gold mining after three people died last month when an abandoned mine collapsed, sources in the country told RFA.
Let Us Adorn First Year's Advance for Implementing Decisions Made at Party Congress with Proud Innovation and Progress KCNA 12 Feb 2021 -- Amid the great expectations and interest of all the Party members and the people who have turned out in the new revolutionary advance upholding the programme for struggle set forth at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the WPK was held from February 8 to 11, Juche 110 (2021).
Press Release of 2nd Plenary Meeting of 8th Central Committee of WPK Issued KCNA 12 Feb 2021 -- Members and alternate members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) who were by-elected and secretary of the Party Central Committee who was elected at the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee are as follows:
Third-day Sitting of 2nd Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee Held KCNA 11 Feb 2021 -- The news of the plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee indicating the most correct and detailed fighting strategies for implementing the decisions made at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) is exciting the revolutionary spirit and enthusiasm of members of the entire Party and the Korean people across the country who are devoting themselves to make a fresh innovation and progress while overcoming all obstacles and difficulties.
Second-day Sitting of 2nd Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee Held KCNA 10 Feb 2021 -- The 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) for discussing the crucial issues of key importance in implementing the decisions of the 8th Congress of the WPK continued on February 9.
North Korea's Kim lays out vision for inter-Korean relations Press TV 10 Feb 2021 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says South Korea must stop buying weapons from the United States and halt its joint military exercises with America in order for inter-Korean relations to improve.
South Korea's New Top Diplomat Says Dialogue With North Not Choice, But Obligation Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- A peace process on the Korean Peninsula is not a matter of choice, but an obligation, South Korea's new foreign minister said on Tuesday.
UN Report Says Iran And North Korea Resumed Missile Cooperation RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- Iran and North Korea resumed cooperation on the development of long-range missile projects last year, according to a UN report.
North Korea advanced weapons programs under sanctions in 2020: UN Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- A United Nations (UN) report says North Korea maintained and developed its nuclear and ballistic missile programs under harsh international sanctions last year.
UN Sanctions Report Shows North Korea Made Progress in Missile Technology, Source Claims Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- North Korea continued to develop its defence infrastructure in 2020 and achieved notable progress in its missile technology throughout the past year, a UN source with knowledge of the sanctions monitoring regime told Sputnik.
Leaked Report Says Cybercrime Spree Funded N Korea Nukes, Missiles VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- A confidential United Nations report says North Korea has used cyberattacks to steal hundreds of millions of dollars to fund its nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities, in violation of international law.
North Korea Uses Military Holiday to Shake Down Citizens for Supplies Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2021 -- North Korea has forced citizens to donate aid to the military ahead of Army Day Monday, sparking resentment among people who can barely support themselves in an economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, sources in the impoverished country told RFA.
N.Korea holds WPK Central Committee plenum Global Times 09 Feb 2021 -- The ruling party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a plenary meeting on Monday to further carry out plans for the policies adopted at the eighth party congress in January, the Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday.
2nd Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee Held KCNA 09 Feb 2021 -- All the Party members and other people across the country, much encouraged by the practical programme for struggle and advance set forth at the historic 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), are full of confidence and enthusiasm to dynamically advance towards a fresh victory in the socialist construction by tiding over current challenges and difficulties by dint of single-minded unity and self-reliance under the leadership of the great Party.
First Tank Unit of New Korea KCNA 06 Feb 2021 -- The column of prototype tanks of the DPRK's revolutionary armed forces roared past the square of military parade, held in January to commemorate the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, displaying their high maneuverability and striking power.
US, South Korea agree to map out 'comprehensive' North Korea strategy Press TV 04 Feb 2021 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his new American counterpart, Joe Biden, have agreed to draw up a joint "comprehensive" strategy on North Korea and closely cooperate to bring about the denuclearization of the country.
North Korea Cracks Down on Car Window Tinting to Stop 'Capitalist Influence' Radio Free Asia 04 Feb 2021 -- North Korean police are cracking down on vehicle window tinting, labeling the practice as part of the "yellow wind of capitalism" when many in the North use the screens to watch South Korean videos, sources in the country told RFA.
Emergency Anti-epidemic Work Intensified in DPRK KCNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Emergency anti-epidemic units at all levels are further intensifying the anti-epidemic work.
North Korea's Systematic Rights Violations May Amount to Crimes Against Humanity, UN Says VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- A report by the UN Human Rights Office accuses North Korea of systematic, widespread human rights violations to maintain control over the population, which UN officials say may amount to crimes against humanity.
DPR Korea: Impunity prevails in prisons, amid potential 'crimes against humanity' – Bachelet UN News 02 Feb 2021 -- The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) is gravely concerned by "credible accounts of forced labour" in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) prison system, according to a new report published on Tuesday.
Experts: Biden Thought Likely to Reverse Trump's North Korea Policies VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- The Biden administration is likely to reverse the Trump administration's North Korea policies, but experts see little hope for significant progress toward denuclearization in the face of Pyongyang's determination to strengthen its nuclear arsenal.
North Korea Mobilizes Citizens for Kim Jong Il Birth Celebration Amid Covid-19, Cold Temperatures Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2021 -- Citizens in North Korea are resentful at being forced to practice singing and dancing for the annual birth anniversary celebration of late former leader Kim Jong Il amid harsh winter weather and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, residents of the border regions told RFA.

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February 2021 - North Korea Special Weapons News