October 2023 - North Korea Special Weapons News

Russia's sourcing of weapons from sanctioned states poses a serious risk to international peace and security: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 27 Oct 2023 -- UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
Seoul won't stand idly by on Russia-N Korea arms deal: S Korean FM Radio Free Asia 27 Oct 2023 -- The South Korea government has told Russia that it will not stand idly by if Moscow hands over missile development technology to North Korea, said South Korea's foreign minister Park Jin.
Hamas uses N Korea, Iran arms in its Israel assault, military says Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- Hamas has used weapons sourced from North Korea and Iran to target Israel, the Israeli military said, supporting Radio Free Asia's earlier report on the alleged arms connection between the North and Hamas.
N Korea claims Israel bombed Gaza hospital under US 'patronage' Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- North Korea's foreign ministry accused Israel of bombing a hospital in the Gaza Strip, claiming it had openly committed a war crime "under the undisguised patronage of the United States."
North Korea Using Ties With Russia to Boost Standing With China VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is using his renewed diplomatic engagement and arms dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin to enhance his position with China as the three socialist countries move to counter the U.S., according to analysts.
US and allies confirm North Korea-Russia 'deleterious' arms deal Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- The United States and its allies have verified an arms trade deal between Russia and North Korea that could bolster Moscow's aggression towards Ukraine, issuing a stern warning that the allies would respond against these "deleterious" actions.
U.S.-Japan-ROK Joint Statement Condemning DPRK-Russia Arms Transfers US Dept. of State 25 Oct 2023 -- The text of the following statement was released by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Park Jin.
North Korea installs electric fences around new bridge to China Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- North Korea has constructed electrified barbed wire fences to keep people from using a new bridge as a route to escape to China, but hungry citizens say the government should focus on feeding the people and supplying them with constant electricity so they wouldn't need to run in the first place, residents told Radio Free Asia.
N Korean leader pushes for anti-US front expansion, courts China Radio Free Asia 24 Oct 2023 -- North Korea made further overtures to China, highlighting their mutual history of opposition to the United States. The move underscores its leader Kim Jong Un's strategic push to solidify his anti-American united front as Washington grapples with resource allocation in Asia amidst challenges from Ukraine and the Middle East.
S Korea detains boat carrying suspected N Korean escapees Radio Free Asia 24 Oct 2023 -- South Korean authorities said Tuesday it detained a North Korean boat carrying four people believed to be seeking to defect, to assess the legitimacy of their intentions.
North Korean farmers pressured to repay debts early Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2023 -- North Korean propaganda showing plentiful harvests this year is putting pressure on farmers to repay debts they incurred during the planting season, but residents told Radio Free Asia that most of the harvest hasn't been processed, meaning they are not yet able to pay.
N Korea calls for condemnation of US over Israel conflict Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2023 -- North Korea blamed the Israel-Palestine conflict on the United States, increasing its efforts to solidify an anti-American "united front."
In Dialogue with the Republic of Korea, Experts of the Human Rights Committee Commend the State's Support for Defectors from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Raise Issues Concerning the 2022 Itaewon Incident and High Suicide Rates UN Human Rights Council 20 Oct 2023
Free homes for rural North Koreans are unfit for country living Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2023 -- Designed for cities, the houses lack gardens and many have thin walls that provide poor insulation in the winter.
Russia's Lavrov arrives in Pyongyang, meets leader Kim Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2023 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to Pyongyang, the Russian foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Kim Jong Un vows to bolster Russian ties, testing Biden's strategy Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2023 -- The purported tighter cooperation is aimed at building leverage against the U.S. and its regional partners.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks ahead of talks with Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Choe Son-hui, Pyongyang, October 19, 2023 Russia MFA 19 Oct 2023
Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's official visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Russia MFA 19 Oct 2023
US, South Korea warn global companies of covert Pyongyang hackers Radio Free Asia 18 Oct 2023 -- The United States and South Korea have issued an alert to the international community on North Korean hackers posing as non-North Korean job seekers, whose objectives are to undertake cyber missions that could accelerate Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.
China agrees to finish bridge to North Korea Radio Free Asia 18 Oct 2023 -- The bridge has been finished since 2014, but got bogged down on the North Korean side.
Biden's envoy offers dual approach for N Korea human rights uplift Radio Free Asia 18 Oct 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden's special envoy for North Korea human rights offered what appeared to be a two-pronged approach aimed at improving the human rights situation in North Korea, underscoring Washington's firm commitment to use various means to bring about change.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's speech at a formal reception hosted by the Government of the DPRK, Pyongyang, October 18, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Oct 2023
Moscow denies alleged N Korea's munition supplies to Russia Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- The Kremlin has rejected allegations that North Korea is providing Russia with weapon supplies after the US released images purportedly showing arms shipments from Pyongyang.
South Korean military says North Korea may have links with Hamas Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- North Korea appears to have a military connection to Hamas, and weapons and tactics used in the Palestinian militant group's attacks this month on Israel are likely North Korean in origin, the South Korean military said Tuesday.
Report: North Korea Shipping Ammunition, Weaponry 'At Scale' To Russia RFE/RL 17 Oct 2023 -- North Korea appears to have begun secretly shipping large amounts of munitions to Russia, according to a new report, using ships and trains to move the weaponry and bolster Moscow's war against Ukraine.
U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Kim Holds Trilateral Meeting in Jakarta US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Ambassador Sung Kim hosted Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn and Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Namazu Hiroyuki for bilateral and trilateral meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 17, to discuss trilateral cooperation to curb the threat posed by the DPRK.
China urged not to repatriate DPR Korea escapees UN News 17 Oct 2023 -- Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council urged China not to forcibly repatriate people who have escaped from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), warning that some returnees could even be put to death.
North Korea slams US for exacerbating tensions with 'nuclear supremacy' Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- Pyongyang's nuclear program is a self-defensive measure to preempt a nuclear war in light of the United States' pursuit of "nuclear supremacy," North Korean media KCNA said on Tuesday.
Report of SPA Standing Committee on Elections of Deputies to People's Assemblies at All Levels KCNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Elections of deputies to provincial (municipality), city (district) and county people's assemblies will take place in the DPRK on November 26, Juche 112 (2023) under Article 139 of the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK and decisions of the regional people's committees.
Int'l Affairs Analyst on NATO's Nuclear War Drills KCNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Kim Tong Myong, a researcher of the Society for International Politics Study in the DPRK, released the following article titled "NATO's nuclear war drills again highlight the U.S. entity as a nuclear maniac" on October 17:
U.S. Scheme for Nuclear Supremacy Rebuked KCNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Kim Kwang Myong, a researcher of the Institute for Disarmament and Peace of the DPRK Foreign Ministry, issued the following article titled "U.S. pursuit of nuclear supremacy is root cause of strategic instability destroying world peace" on October 17:
South Korea unveils 'supersonic' answer to Pyongyang nuclear threat Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- With Kim Jong Un escalating nuclear threats from the North, South Korea has found a cost-effective solution: its homegrown fighter jets.
Israel Ambassador: Hamas Used North Korean Weapons to Attack Israel VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- Israel's ambassador to South Korea believes North Korean weapons are being used by Palestinian militant group Hamas to attack Israel, even as Pyongyang has denied the accusations that have surfaced online as groundless.
'Some of them will be sent to ... camps,' some 'may be executed' Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- North Koreans who have escaped to China need help to avoid being sent back against their will, and pressure on Beijing from South Korea alone is not enough, a former North Korean diplomat told Radio Free Asia.
US, South Korea confront China on North Korean human rights Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- The United States and South Korea issued a veiled warning to China for repatriating North Korean escapees, pledging to collaborate in addressing the human rights situation in the country.
Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's upcoming visit to the DPRK Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Oct 2023
Russia's decision to source arms from North Korea: FCDO statement UK FCDO 14 Oct 2023 -- A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson statement on Russia's decision to source arms from North Korea for its illegal war in Ukraine.
US accuses North Korea of providing Russia with weapons Press TV 14 Oct 2023 -- The US has accused North Korea of providing Russia with a shipment of weapons, claiming that Pyongyang is sending more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Moscow.
S Korean PM protests to Xi over N Korean repatriation: report Radio Free Asia 13 Oct 2023 -- South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo raised his opposition to the forced repatriation of North Koreans when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China last month, Yonhap News Agency reported on Friday, citing South Korea's ambassador to China Chung Jae-ho.
White House Accuses North Korea of Shipping Weapons to Russia VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- The White House on Friday accused North Korea of shipping weapons to Russia, near the Ukraine border. Its claims are based on an image released Friday showing a shipment from an ammunition depot in North Korea, or DPRK, that was loaded onto a Russian-flagged ship before being moved by rail to a depot along Russia's southwestern border. The delivery took place between Sept. 7 and Oct. 1, the U.S. says.
Pyongyang denies N Korean weapons used by Hamas against Israel Radio Free Asia 13 Oct 2023 -- North Korea denied on Friday that the Hamas militant group used North Korean munitions in its surprise attack on Israel, accusing the United States of fabricating a false accusation against Pyongyang.
North Korea to Respond to Any Provocation During US Aircraft Carrier's Visit to Busan Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is currently docked in the city of Busan, South Korea, after a two-day joint naval exercise with ships from South Korea and Japan earlier this week.
Int'l Affairs Analyst on Present Middle East Crisis KCNA 13 Oct 2023 -- Ri Kwang Song, a commentator on international affairs of the DPRK, issued the following article titled "The current Middle East crisis predicts the U.S. bigger strategic defeat" on Friday:
KCNA Commentary on U.S. Deployment of Nuclear Strategic Assets KCNA 13 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. 5th airborne division, including carrier Ronald Reagan, entered Pusan Port on October 12.
Activists Slam China After Alleged Forced Repatriation of North Koreans VOA 12 Oct 2023 -- Human rights activists are criticizing China after reports that Beijing forcibly returned more than 500 North Korean defectors.
China repatriates N Korean escapees after Asian Games: source Radio Free Asia 12 Oct 2023 -- China has repatriated more than 500 North Koreans shortly after the Hangzhou Asian Games, multiple sources working to rescue North Koreans in China told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.
Putin Congratulates Kim Jong Un on Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Sputnik 12 Oct 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and North Korea, adding that ties between nations are developing in all areas.
Greetings to Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un President of Russia 12 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Minju Joson on Ever-Developing Strategic DPRK-Russia Friendly Relations KCNA 12 Oct 2023 -- Minju Joson in an article on Thursday says that the peoples of the DPRK and Russia are significantly celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations at a time when the history of the bilateral relations witnesses a new heyday of friendship, solidarity and cooperation.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Greetings to Russian President KCNA 12 Oct 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Thursday sent a message of greeting to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Russian President KCNA 12 Oct 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Thursday received a message of greeting from Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation.
Hamas fighters may be using North Korean weapons, experts say Radio Free Asia 10 Oct 2023 -- Experts say that Hamas militants may be using North Korean weapons after footage emerged of a fighter from the Palestinian group carrying a rocket-launcher suspected to originate from the communist nation.
Pyongyang says military satellite key to countering US 'space militarization' Press TV 10 Oct 2023 -- The surveillance satellite program of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is an "indispensable" measure to counter US "space militarization," North Korean news agency KCNA on Tuesday.
Article of Int'l Affairs Analyst KCNA 10 Oct 2023 -- Ra Jong Min, a commentator on international affairs of the DPRK, issued an article titled "Only fools can jump into fire with faggot on their backs" on Tuesday.
U.S. Deployment of Space Force Criticized KCNA 10 Oct 2023 -- Ri Song Jin, a researcher of the National Aerospace Technology Administration of the DPRK, released the following article titled "U.S. space force deployment aimed at preemptive aggression war" on Tuesday:
SKorea on Alert for Possible NKorea Action After Israel-Hamas Conflict VOA 09 Oct 2023 -- South Korea is under a heightened alert, assessing how the widening crisis in the Middle East could impact its national security after the unprecedented attack that Palestinian militant group Hamas launched against Israel.
Premier Kim Tok Hun Inspects Various Units KCNA 09 Oct 2023 -- Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, inspected units in the field of electric power and coal industries in the western region.
Satellite pics show spike in rail activity at NKorea-Russia border Radio Free Asia 09 Oct 2023 -- Satellite images show a sharp increase in activity at a railway yard in North Korea on the Russian border, prompting experts to speculate that Pyongyang may be sending trainloads of weapons to its northern neighbor.
DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Anti-Syria Terrorism KCNA 09 Oct 2023 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question by KCNA on Sunday as regards the brutal terrorist attack in Syria that caused many casualties:
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Syrian President KCNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from Bashar Al-Assad, president of the Syrian Arab Republic, on October 5.
Enlarged Plenary Meeting of Cabinet Held KCNA 06 Oct 2023 -- An enlarged plenary meeting of the DPRK Cabinet took place through video-conferencing on Thursday.
North Korea condemns France's 'gunboat diplomacy' Press TV 06 Oct 2023 -- North Korea has strongly criticized France for its plans to deploy its military forces to the waters of the Korean Peninsula, terming the decision as outdated "gunboat diplomacy".
Seoul, Tokyo reopen strategic diplomatic channels amid nuke threats Radio Free Asia 05 Oct 2023 -- The foreign ministries of South Korea and Japan held their first "strategic dialogue" in nine years, and agreed to strengthen ties to deal with the common threat of Pyongyang's nuclear provocations, a development indicating that the bilateral collaboration is extending beyond the military, finance to diplomacy.
S Korean spy agency warns shipbuilders of N Korean hacking attempts Radio Free Asia 05 Oct 2023 -- South Korea's spy agency announced late Wednesday that it has identified numerous instances where North Korean hacking groups targeted key shipbuilding firms in the South. This is seen as an attempt by the North to bolster its naval capabilities, potentially deepening the existing tensions between the two Koreas.
Statement of Spokesman for DPRK Ministry of National Defence KCNA 04 Oct 2023 -- A spokesman for the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK issued the following statement on October 4:
Fleeing North Korea has never been harder, or costlier Radio Free Asia 03 Oct 2023 -- More North Koreans fleeing poverty and a repressive government have reached South Korea this year compared to last, as rescue operations restart after a hiatus during COVID.
Seoul Says N. Korea Will Never Be Officially Recognized as Nuclear-Weapon State Sputnik 02 Oct 2023 -- North Korea will never be officially recognized as a nuclear-weapon state, with international sanctions expanding against Pyongyang if it continues to pursue nuclear arms, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.
Press Statement of Russian Affairs Department Director General of DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 02 Oct 2023 -- Kim Jong Gyu, director general of the Russian Affairs Department of the Foreign Minister of the DPRK, issued the following statement on Oct. 2.
Spokesman for Ministry of Nuclear Power Industry of DPRK Releases Press Statement KCNA 02 Oct 2023 -- A spokesman for the Ministry of Nuclear Power Industry of the DPRK released a following press statement on Monday:
North Korea denounces IAEA as 'paid trumpeter' for Washington Press TV 02 Oct 2023 -- North Korea has vehemently denounced the United Nation's nuclear watchdog for "cooking up" a resolution against Pyongyang's nuclear program, saying it will never tolerate any acts of infringement upon its sovereignty.
Press Statement of Im Chon Il, Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of DPRK KCNA 01 Oct 2023 -- Im Chon Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, issued the following press statement on Sunday:
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Greetings to President Xi Jinping KCNA 01 Oct 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and president of the People's Republic of China (PRC), on Sunday.
Press Statement of DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman KCNA 01 Oct 2023 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK issued the following press statement on Sunday:
North Korea: NATO and US' Asian Allies are 'Cancer Tumor' Sputnik 01 Oct 2023 -- North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon Il slammed NATO as an instigator of the Ukrainian crisis in a statement published by the state-run news agency.

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October 2023 - North Korea Special Weapons News