DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Another one of America's adversaries just unveiled a new drone that closely resembles the US military's combat-proven MQ-9 Reaper
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Another US foe just revealed a drone that looks very similar to the American MQ-9 Reaper. One of the missiles is named after Qasem Soleimani, the former chief of the IRGC's elite Quds Force who was killed in a 2020 US military Reaper drone strike. AdvertisementAdvertisementWell-armed and tested in combat, the powerful Reaper drone has operational experience around the world. An MQ-9 Reaper drone on San Clemente Island in California on June 23. Iran and North Korea have cooperated in the past on various military issues, including the development of long-range missiles.

Persons: Israel —, —, IRNA, Ebrahim Raisi, Qasem Soleimani, Joseph Pagan Iran's, Kim Jong Un, Vann Van Diepen, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: American, Service, Islamic Republic News Agency, country's, Industry, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Quds Force, — IRNA News Agency, Islamic, Kremlin, US, US Air National Guard, Staff, North, North Korean, Korean Central News Agency, Korea News Service, US State Department, Stimson Locations: Iran, Korean, Wall, Silicon, Tehran, Russia, Ukraine, American, Russian, Islamic State, Clemente Island, California, North Korea, Pyongyang, Korea, Moscow

☆ Explainer: Why North Korea's satellite launches are so controversial
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A still photograph shows what appears to be North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket being launched in Cholsan County, North Korea, May 31, 2023 in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency and taken from video. A May 31 attempt - North Korea's first such launch since 2016 - ended in fiery failure when its new Chollima-1 rocket crashed into the sea. DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGYThe United States and its allies called North Korea's latest tests of satellite systems clear violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which prohibit any development of technology applicable to North Korea's ballistic missile programs. At the time of the 2016 space launch, North Korea had yet to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The satellite launch was condemned by governments in the United States and South Korea as a disguised test of missile technology capable of striking the continental United States.

Persons: Kim Jong, Pyongyang’s, Ankit, Josh Smith, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, REUTERS, Rights, United Nations, Carnegie Endowment, International, Thomson Locations: Cholsan County, North Korea, Rights SEOUL, Japan, South Korea, Korea, Seoul, United States, U.S

☆ Why North Korea's satellite launches are so controversial
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A still photograph shows what appears to be North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket being launched in Cholsan County, North Korea, May 31, 2023 in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency and taken from video. A May 31 attempt - North Korea's first such launch since 2016 - ended in fiery failure when its new Chollima-1 rocket crashed into the sea. A senior official at North Korea's space agency said after the launch that it planned to put more advanced satellites into orbit by 2020 and eventually "plant the flag of (North Korea) on the moon". DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGYThe United States and its allies called North Korea's latest tests of satellite systems clear violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which prohibit any development of technology applicable to North Korea's ballistic missile programs. At the time of the 2016 space launch, North Korea had yet to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

☆ North Korea's Kim blasts 'irresponsible' top officials for flood damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gives a field guidance in South Pyongan Province, North Korea, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 21, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Aug 22 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has lashed out at top officials for their "irresponsible" response to flood damage, saying they had "spoiled" the national economy, state media reported on Tuesday. Such irresponsibility and lack of discipline from officials is "mainly attributable to the feeble work attitude and wrong viewpoint of the premier of the cabinet," Kim said. This week's visit is the latest in a series of inspections the North Korean leader has made of flood-hit farmlands amid mounting concerns over a food crisis in the reclusive country. Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean studies at South Korea's Kyungnam University, said Kim's harsh criticism could herald a cabinet reshuffle.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong, Kim, KCNA, Kim Tok Hun, Kim Tok, Lim Eul, Lim, Soo, hyang Choi, Miral Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, North Korean, Korea's Kyungnam University, Thomson Locations: South Pyongan Province, North Korea, Rights SEOUL

CNN —North Korean state media released images of leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a missile test on Monday, days after its regional rivals held a historic summit, and as US-South Korea joint military exercises kick off nearby. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim was on site to monitor the launch of strategic cruise missiles fired from a patrol ship, belonging to the North Korean Navy’s East Sea Fleet. It added that the missile test demonstrated the ship’s capabilities and prepared the sailors for “carrying out the attack mission in actual war.”Kim Jong Un speaking to members of the North Korean Navy ahead of a missile test, in photos released by state media KCNA. South Korean authorities are now working with the US military to investigate the hack attempt. A cruise missile being launched from a patrol ship belonging to the East Sea Fleet of the North Korean Navy.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim, ” Kim Jong, KCNA, ” Organizations: CNN, Korean Central News Agency, Korean, Sea, “, North Korean Navy, South, East, Fleet, KCNA, North, country’s, Chiefs, Staff, South Korean Locations: South Korea, North Korea, KCNA Seoul, Seoul, Washington, Japan

☆ North Korea's Kim directs cruise missile test as South Korea, US begin drills
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees a strategic cruise missile test aboard a navy warship in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. The latest missile test came as South Korea and the United States began the Ulchi Freedom Shield summer exercises on Monday, designed to enhance their joint responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. "North Korea talks about preemptive nuclear strikes and preparations for an offensive war, but we will immediately and overwhelmingly retaliate for any provocations." Over the past two years, North Korea has been testing what it calls "strategic cruise missiles," which some analysts have said could be tipped with nuclear warheads. While modernising and bolstering its naval power, North Korea showcased a new, nuclear-capable underwater attack drone in March.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Choi Il, Hyonhee Shin, Gerry Doyle, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, United States, Command, National Security Council, Thomson Locations: Rights SEOUL, South Korea, Pyongyang, Korea, United States, Japan, North Korea

☆ Latest North Korean missile sparks new debate over possible Russian role
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Josh Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visit an exhibition of armed equipment on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 27, 2023. The Hwasong-18 has been tested twice, including on July 12 in what was the longest flight time ever for a North Korean missile test. Russia and North Korea have recently called for closer military ties but North Korea has denied having any "arms dealings" with Russia. The Hwasong-18 clearly takes some design inspiration from Russian missiles, in this case Topol-M and Yars, just as many other North Korean missiles do, the CNS researchers said. "There is nothing sudden or surprising about North Korea’s continued development of large solid propellant rocket motors," they said.

Persons: Kim Jong, Sergei Shoigu, Theodore Postol, Postol, Postol's, California's James Martin, misidentifying, Markus Schiller, Kim, Yoo Sang, Josh Smith, David Brunnstrom, Robert Birsel, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Russia's, North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS, Rights, Washington -, Strategic, International Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Korean, UN, California's James, California's James Martin Center, Nonproliferation Studies, Reuters, CSIS, Thomson Locations: Rights SEOUL, Washington, Russia, North Korea, Russian, Korean, RUSSIAN, Europe, Japan, Soviet Union, United States, South Korea, Ukraine, Moscow, Pyongyang, Seoul

☆ North Korea's Kim visits typhoon-hit farmlands amid food shortage concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and North Korea's Premier Kim Tok Hun tour typhoon-affected farms in Anbyon County, North Korea, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 17, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Aug 18 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected typhoon-hit farmlands, state media said on Friday, after tropical storm Khanun swept over the Korean Peninsula last week amid mounting concerns over a food crisis in the reclusive country. The North has suffered serious food shortages in recent decades, including famine in the 1990s, often as a result of natural disasters. Khanun, which was downgraded from a typhoon to a tropical storm, made landfall on the Korean peninsula last week, prompting South Korean authorities to evacuate more than 14,000 people and close schools in flood-hit areas. Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim Tok, Kim Jong, Kim, KCNA, Soo, hyang Choi, Stephen Coates Organizations: North Korea's, North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, South, Thomson Locations: Anbyon County, North Korea, Rights SEOUL

KCNA via Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreSEOUL, Aug 17 (Reuters) - North Korea may launch an intercontinental ballistic missile or take other military action to protest a summit between the United States, South Korea and Japan, a South Korean lawmaker said on Thursday, citing the country's intelligence agency. North Korea has criticised deepening military cooperation among the three nations as part of a dangerous prelude to the creation of an "Asian version of NATO". Yoo said there was a chance the North would launch the satellite to celebrate its founding anniversary on Sept. 9. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made it a priority to conduct a launch during the second half of this year, Yoo noted. The United States has accused North Korea of providing weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which it calls a "special operation", including artillery shells, shoulder-fired rockets and missiles.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim Ju, Joe Biden, Camp David, Yoon Suk Yeol, Fumio Kishida, Yoo Sang, Yoo, Kim Jong, Kim, hyang Choi, Edmund Klamann, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, South, Camp, South Korean, NATO, National Intelligence Service, United, Thomson Locations: Pyongyang, North Korea, SEOUL, United States, South Korea, Japan, South Korean, Seoul, Tokyo, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow

☆ Missiles aren't the only threat from North Korea. Its conventional arms are just as deadly
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A fire assault drill by North Korean rocket artillery units at an undisclosed location in North Korea in March 2023 in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In late 2022, CFR estimated North Korea had 1.3 million active military personnel, in addition to a 600,000 strong reserve force. Pinkston pointed out that North Korea is not the only one that can launch an attack at short notice. Holistic perspectiveWhy would North Korea need to develop missiles if it holds such a potent threat over South Korea — even if short-lived? However, Cha pointed out that there have also been studies that have shown the damage inflicted by North Korean artillery is "not that effective."

Persons: that's, Naoko Aoki, Victor Cha, Rand, Daniel Pinkston, Pinkston, Cha Organizations: North Korean, North, Korean Central News Agency, Reuters, Korea's, Rand Corporation ., of Foreign Relations, CFR, Korean, Artillery, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Rand Corp, Samsung Electronics, Rand, . Rand Corporation, LG, South Korean, Troy University, CNBC, Korea People's Army, CSIS Locations: North Korea, Korean, Korea, South Korea, Seoul, Pyongyang, U.S, Paju, counterfire, Washington, United States, Victor, Victor Cha Korea

☆ North Korea confirms custody of U.S. soldier Travis King, who crossed DMZ in July
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Phil Helsel | Mosheh Gains | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A U.S. soldier who had served in South Korea crossed the military demarcation line separating the two Koreas into North Korea without authorization. North Korea commented Tuesday for the first time about a U.S. soldier who ran into the isolated country's territory last month. North Korea also alleged that King said he decided to cross into North Korean territory. North Korea had offered a very brief response to United Nations officials about King, the Pentagon's spokesman said Aug. 1. North Korea has also six times conducted nuclear tests, which are also banned by the U.N.

Persons: KCNA, Travis King, Lloyd Austin, King, Jonathan Franks, Claudia Gates, Gates, today's, Travis, Franks, Martin Meiners, Private King, Meiners, Patrick Ryder, Ryder Organizations: Security Area, DPRK, Democratic People's, U.S . Army, Army, Korean Central News Agency, . Defense Department, Private, United Nations, Pentagon, Air Force, Command, Joint Security Agency, United Nations Command, North Locations: Paju, South Korea, U.S, North Korea, Panmunjom, Korea, Korean, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North, DPRK, KCNA

☆ Who is Travis King, and what comes next for the US soldier in North Korea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Picture of Travis King, the US soldier who ran across the military demarcation line into North Korea on Tuesday July 18. From Travis King/FacebookThe day before he crossed into North Korea, King was supposed to board a flight to Texas, where he was to face disciplinary procedures. The last American known to be held by North Korea was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who, according to North Korean state media, crossed from China into North Korea in 2018. While in North Korea, he appeared in propaganda films, taught the country’s spies English and spent up to eight hours a day studying the writings of North Korean leaders. He was allowed to leave North Korea in 2004, two years after his Japanese wife, who was kidnapped from her home in Japan in 1978 and left North Korea under a deal between Pyongyang and Tokyo.

Persons: Travis King “, ”, King, Travis King, Bryce Dubee, Christine Wormuth, King “, ” Jaqueda, King’s, “, Claudine Gates, Jonathan Franks, Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un, Trump, Kim, KCNA, Washington “, Private King, Bruce Byron Lowrance, Lowrance, Otto Warmbier, Warmbier, Charles Jenkins, Jenkins Organizations: South Korea CNN, Joint Security Area, North, US, CNN, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat, Armored Division, Army, Incheon International, Aspen Security, South Korean, US Navy, Korean Central News Agency, U.S . Army, Washington, Private, Swedish Embassy, Central Intelligence Agency Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, Korean, Korea, Fort Bliss , Texas, Texas, Incheon, United States, ” Jaqueda Gates, Pyongyang, Washington, Busan, Japan, North, Maryland, Swedish, China, American, Tokyo

☆ China military action to US stopover would be election interference, Taiwan VP says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan's Vice President William Lai speaks during a welcome dinner in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this handout picture released on August 15, 2023. Taiwanese officials say China could launch military drills this week, using Lai's stopovers in the United States as a pretext to intimidate voters ahead of an election next year and make them "fear war". China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has an particular dislike of Lai who has in the past described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". China considers Taiwan to be its most sensitive and important political and diplomatic issue, and it is a constant source of Sino-U.S. friction. China says Taiwan has no right to state-to-state ties and has been trying to pick off Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Lai's, Li Shangfu, Deb Haaland, King Felipe VI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Taipei's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Presidential, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Taiwan, Central News Agency, U.S, Chinese Defence, Thomson Locations: Asuncion , Paraguay, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, U.S, China, Paraguay, United States, January's, New York, California, Central America, York, San Francisco, Taipei, Moscow, Asuncion, Honduras, Beijing

☆ Australia Q2 wage gains underwhelm, argue against further hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Wage growth has been stuck at 0.8% q/q for the past three quarters – a somewhat surprisingly slow pace given the very low level of the unemployment rate," said Sean Langcake, head of macroeconomic forecasting for Oxford Economics Australia. Despite higher interest rates, Australia's jobless rate is hovering near 50-year low of 3.5% and the economy is adding more jobs than expected. The RBA now sees a credible path where inflation could be restrained with interest rates at their current level, minutes showed on Tuesday. The path involves annual wage growth peaking at 4.1% by the end of the year before easing back to 3.6% by end-2025, according to the bank's latest forecasts. The ABS data showed wages in the public sector picked up to an annual rise of 3.1% while growth in private sector wages increased 3.8%.

Persons: David Gray, Sean Langcake, Andrew Boak, Goldman Sachs, Stella Qiu, Kim Coghill, Sonali Paul, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Reserve Bank of Australia, Australian Bureau, Statistics, Oxford Economics, Thomson Locations: Newcastle, Sydney, Australia, SYDNEY, Oxford Economics Australia

☆ North Korea Claims U.S. Soldier Fled ‘Maltreatment’ in Army
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Choe Sang-Hun | More About Choe Sang-Hun | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

North Korea said on Wednesday that Pvt. Travis T. King, the American soldier who fled across the inter-Korean border into its territory on July 18, wanted to seek refuge in the isolated Communist country or a third country, according to a state media report. The report by the Korean Central News Agency is the first time the North has commented on Private King’s case. During an investigation by North Korean officials, Private King “confessed that he had decided to come over to the DPRK as he harbored ill feelings against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army,” the Korean Central News Agency said, using the abbreviation of the country’s official name, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Private King “admitted that he illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK,” saying that he did so because he “was disillusioned at the unequal American society,” the news agency said.

Persons: Travis T, King “, “ Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, North, U.S . Army, Democratic People’s, DPRK Locations: Korea, DPRK, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

CNN —North Korea on Wednesday confirmed publicly for the first time that US Army Private Travis King crossed into its territory. A statement from the country’s government-controlled Korean Central News Agency claimed King had expressed “his willingness to seek refugee” in North Korea or a third country. King, a junior enlisted soldier assigned to US Forces Korea, had faced assault charges in South Korea and was due to return to Fort Bliss, Texas and be removed from the military just one day before he crossed into North Korea, CNN has reported. KCNA added that he had admitted of “illegally” intruding into the territory of North Korea and said that the investigation is ongoing. Defense officials have said publicly that King “willfully and without authorization” crossed into North Korea while taking a civilian tour of the DMZ.

Persons: Travis King, King, “, ” King, Fort, KCNA, Private King, King “, ”, Christine Wormuth, he’d, ” Wormuth, Jaqueda Gates, King’s, Biden Organizations: CNN, Wednesday, US, Korean Central News Agency, U.S . Army, Joint Security, US Forces Korea, Defense, Private, North, Army, Aspen Security, US Army, South Korean, Geneva Convention Locations: North Korea, South Korea, Fort Bliss , Texas, North Koreans, United States, Geneva

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has fired his top general amid a shakeup of the country’s military leadership and wants his army to “gird for a war,” state media reported Thursday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un leads a meeting of the Central Military Commission in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Wednesday. KCNA/Handout/ReutersNorth Korea regularly revamps its military leadership. 2 job in the North Korean military hierarchy as recently as December 31 – reflected that, analysts said. Easley said the North Korean leader may simply be trying to ensure that no one below him becomes too powerful.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, “, Pak Su Il, Ri Yong Gil, ”, KCNA, Ri –, Yong Gil, Leif, Eric Easley, Cheong Seong, Kim Jong, ” Cheong, Easley, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin’s, ” Easley, Kim Organizations: South Korea CNN — North, General Staff, Korean Central News Agency, Central Military Commission, Reuters, North, Ewha Womans University, Sejong Institute, Wagner, DPRK, Democratic People’s Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Pyongyang, North Korea, Reuters North Korea, Russian, Korean, United States, Democratic People’s Republic, Korea

China's increased appetite for thermal coal from Australia and Russia has led to a shift in imports by India, the world's second biggest coal buyer. From December to February India's imports of Australian thermal coal had been above 1 million metric tons per month, peaking in January at 1.79 million. In contrast India is turning back to thermal coal from Indonesia, with July arrivals of 6.87 million metric tons, up from 6.04 million in June. For July, Indonesia's share of India's thermal coal imports was 63%, which was the highest since the 65% in April. China and India both generally import Australian thermal coal of a lower energy value than the traditional buyers of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Persons: David Gray, it's, Indonesia's, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Labor Party, Liberal, National, China, Argus, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ulan, New South Wales, Mudgee, Australia, LAUNCESTON, Beijing, Asia, China, Mongolia, Indonesia, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia's Newcastle, Ukraine

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visit an exhibition of armed equipment on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 27, 2023. The fact North Korean hackers may have obtained information about the Zircon does not mean they would immediately have that same capability, said Markus Schiller, a Europe-based missile expert who has researched foreign aid to North Korea's missile programme. Last month, North Korea test-launched the Hwasong-18, the first of its ICBMs to use solid propellants. "North Korea announced that it was doing the same thing in late 2021. If NPO Mash had one useful thing for them, that would be top of my list," he added.

Persons: Kim Jong, Sergei Shoigu, ScarCruft, Lazarus, Tom Hegel, SentinelOne, Hegel, Obama, Nicholas Weaver, Matt Tait, Weaver, Vladimir Putin, Markus Schiller, Schiller, Jeffrey Lewis, James Martin, James Pearson, Christopher Bing, Chris Sanders, Alistair Bell Organizations: Russia's, North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS, NPO Mashinostroyeniya, Pyongyang LONDON, Reuters, North Korean, United Nations, Soviet Union, NPO, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Mash, James, James Martin Center, Nonproliferation Studies, Korea, Thomson Locations: Pyongyang, WASHINGTON, Russian, Reutov, Moscow, Russia, Washington, New York, North Korea, Soviet, United States, Crimea, Korean, Europe, London

CNN —North Korean leader Kim Jong Un tours arms factories, inspects artillery plants and even fires a gun in newly released photographs that appear to offer a rare glimpse into the secretive state’s weapons facilities. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects a munitions factory in this image released by the state news agency KCNA. KCNAThe release of the photos comes amid a period of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and appears to be the latest show of force by Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un tours a weapons factory in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on Sunday, August 6, 2023. In another show of force that month Pyongyang launched two short-range ballistic missiles, which landed in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim, Kim Jong Un, Kim Il, Kang Sun Nam Organizations: CNN, North, Korean Central News Agency, Reuters North Korean Defense Locations: Korean, Pyongyang, North Korea, United States, Japan

☆ North Korea leader Kim Jong Un gives field guidance at major arms factories
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( Jack Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gives field guidance at a major weapon factory in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on August 6, 2023. KCNA via REUTERSSEOUL, Aug 6 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave field guidance at major weapons factories between Thursday and Saturday including production lines of engines for strategic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, KCNA state news agency said on Sunday. Kim also inspected factories producing shells for super large-calibre multiple rocket launchers and transporter-erector-launchers, which are normally used to fire ballistic missiles, KCNA reported. North Korea has tested rocket launchers for larger calibre shells, advanced cruise missiles and, last month, its newest ballistic missiles including solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Both Russia and North Korea have denied those claims.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim, KCNA, Kim's, Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Jack Kim, Jonathan Oatis, Daniel Wallis Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS, Russia's, United, Russian, Wagner, Thomson Locations: REUTERS SEOUL, North Korea, Beijing, Moscow, United States, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Heavy rains wreak havoc in central Taiwan in wake of typhoon
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TAIPEI, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Intense rains in the wake of Typhoon Khanun lashed the mountainous parts of Taiwan on Saturday, unleashing flood and landslides that blocked roads and stranded hundreds of people as authorities rushed to resume transportation links. Rains have pounded the central county of Nantou since Typhoon Khanun brushed past northern Taiwan on Thursday, with more than 1 m (3 feet) of precipitation soaking Renai Township since then, shattering roads and triggering landslides and mudslides. Across Taiwan, two people were missing and more than 460 stranded, mostly in remote mountainous areas, the government said, adding no casualties had been reported. "Although Typhoon Khanun is gradually moving away from us, people should still make related preparations and must pay attention to rains and winds, as well as your own safety," he said in a post on Facebook. Heavy rain was forecast to continue over the weekend, although at a reduced level as authorities continued to issue warnings of landslides for mountainous central and southern Taiwan.

Persons: Khanun, Hsu Shu, Hua, William Lai, Yimou Lee, Fabian Hamacher, William Mallard Organizations: Central News Agency, Facebook, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Nantou, Nantou County

☆ In a desperate scramble for ammo, Russia's defense chief flew all the way to North Korea to beg for some of theirs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia's defense chief traveled to North Korea recently to try and secure more ammunition. Shoigu went to Pyongyang "in a bid to convince North Korea to sell munitions to Russia to support Russia's war," Kirby added. Kirby said on Thursday that any arms deal between Russia and North Korea would be in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang, North Korea, on July 27, 2023. Iran has outfitted Russia's military with explosive drones that Moscow has used for nearly a year to attack Ukrainian cities and the country's civil infrastructure.

Persons: Vladimir Putin's, Biden, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Kim Jong Un, John Kirby, Kirby, Li Hongzhong, Kim, Kim Jong, Putin, he's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there's Organizations: White, US, Service, Russian, North, DPRK, Ukraine, National Security, Democratic People's, Chinese Communist Party, Russia's, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS, Korean, Wagner Group, US Treasury Department, Slovakian, United Nations, Russian Defense Locations: North Korea, Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Moscow, North Korean, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Pyongyang, REUTERS North Korea, Korea, Iran, China, Washington, Beijing

☆ Taiwan boosts counter-espionage effort after suspected China infiltration
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan's armed forces hold two days of routine drills to show combat readiness ahead of Lunar New Year holidays at a military base in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, January 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ann WangTAIPEI, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Taiwan's military vowed on Wednesday to step up counter-espionage efforts as authorities investigated several serving and former military officers suspected of spying for China. China, which is pressing the island to accept its sovereignty, has in recent years mounted a sustained espionage campaign to undermine democratically governed Taiwan's military and civilian leadership, a Reuters investigation has found. "Betraying your own fellow soldiers and country should be punished by law strictly," he said, adding that authorities had been working hard to prevent such incidents happening again. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Ann Wang, Hsiao, Alex Huang, Yimou Lee, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, army's Aviation, Special Forces Command, Central News Agency, CNA, Chinese Communist Party, Taiwan Affairs Office, Thomson Locations: Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Ann Wang TAIPEI, China, Taoyuan, Taipei

☆ Kim Jong Un has plastered his walls with bizarre, giant portraits of Putin, images from North Korean state media reveal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Photos released by North Korean state media show Kim Jong Un's huge portraits of Vladimir Putin. The images show the leader giving Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu a personal tour. The portraits were visible as the North Korean leader gave a personal tour to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. In the bizarre images, Kim and Shoigu can be seen walking down a corridor while huge portraits of Putin and Kim loom over them from either side. Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attends a reception for the Russian military delegation hosted by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on July 27, 2023.

Persons: Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Kim Jong Un, Kim, Putin, Simon Miles, Miles, Biden Organizations: North, Russian, Service, North Korean, Russian Defense, Central Committee of, Workers ' Party, Daily, Russia's, Reuters, Mail, Korean Central News Agency, Associated Press, Duke University's Sanford School of Public, Soviet Union, AP Locations: North Korean, Wall, Silicon, Pyongyang, Vladivostok, Russia, North Korea, Soviet, North Koreans, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian

Search resuls for: "Central New"

25 mentions found