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☆ North Korea halts nuclear reactor, likely to extract bomb fuel, Donga Ilbo reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The operation of the 5 megawatt nuclear reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear complex has been suspended since late September, according to intelligence assessment by U.S. and South Korean authorities, the report said. Reprocessing of spent fuel rods removed from a nuclear reactor is a step taken before plutonium is extracted. The Yongbyon nuclear complex is the North's main source of plutonium that it likely has used to build nuclear weapons. North Korea has also operated uranium enrichment facilities, which is a separate source of material that could be used for nuclear weapons. North Korea claims itself a nuclear state but has kept how many nuclear weapons it may have built or deployed a secret.

Persons: Jeon Ha, Siegfried Hecker, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Hecker, " Hecker, Kim, Jack Kim, Lincoln Organizations: Kyodo ., Donga Ilbo, Russia, North, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Thomson Locations: Korean, Yongbyon, Kyodo . North Korea, SEOUL, North Korea, Korea, Pyongyang, Russia, Korea's

☆ North Korea blames US for 'grave terrorist' act against Cuban embassy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Cuban flag flutters in the wind after being raised at the Cuban Embassy reopening ceremony in Washington July 20, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Oct 1 (Reuters) - North Korea accused the United States on Sunday of letting a "terrorist" act against Cuba take place on U.S. soil, saying a recent attack against the Cuban embassy in Washington was the result of "despicable anti-Cuban" U.S. intentions. Along with Cuba, North Korea, Syria and Iran are on the State Department list. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States strongly condemned the attack and that U.S. law enforcement authorities would investigate. Havana has said it is unreasonable for Washington to keep Cuba on its terrorism list and maintain a Cold War-era economic embargo.

Persons: Gary Cameron, Jake Sullivan, Jack Kim, William Mallard Organizations: Cuban, REUTERS, Rights, United, State Department, North Korean, White House, Thomson Locations: Cuban, Washington, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, United States, Cuba, North, Syria, Iran, Havana

☆ South Korea opposition leader avoids jail after court rejects warrant
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, speaks at campaign rally PHOTO:while campaigning for the presidential election in Seoul, South Korea March 8, 2022. The Seoul Central District Court ruled against prosecutors who sought Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's arrest, saying there were insufficient grounds to support their argument that he may try to destroy evidence. Lee welcomed the decision and thanked the court as he walked out of a holding centre soon after the ruling, which came well after midnight. Lee had narrowly lost to conservative Yoon, a career prosecutor, in the presidential election last year. Some members of Lee's party joined the conservative ruling party in voting last week to lift Lee's immunity from arrest as a member of parliament, drawing criticism within the party.

Persons: Lee Jae, myung, Kim Hong, Lee, Han Dong, hoon, Yoon Suk, Yoon, Hyunsu Yim, hyang Choi, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: South Korea's Democratic Party, REUTERS, Rights, Seoul Central, Court, Democratic Party, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, Japan, North Korea, Gyeonggi Province, Seongnam

☆ South Korea holds rare military parade, warns North over nuclear threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SEOUL, Sept 26 (Reuters) - South Korea kicked off its first large-scale military parade in a decade on Tuesday, with weapons ranging from ballistic missiles to attack helicopters due to roll through Seoul in a show of force as it takes a tougher stance against North Korea. "If North Korea uses nuclear weapons, its regime will be brought to an end by an overwhelming response from the ROK-U.S. alliance," Yoon said while addressing troops in the rain. South Korea last held a military street parade in 2013. The event will also feature a joint flyover by South Korean and U.S. military aircraft to demonstrate an "upgraded" combined defence posture, the ministry said. Yoon has said that if Russia helped North Korea enhance its weapons programs in return for assistance for its war in Ukraine, it would be "a direct provocation".

Persons: Kim Jong, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Hyunmoo, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Soo, hyang Choi, Hyunsu Yim, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, country's Armed Forces, Seoul Air Base, ROK, Defence Ministry, The Armed Forces, SAM, KF, South Korean, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Seoul, North Korea, Pyongyang, Korea, South, Seoul . South Korea, Washington, Tokyo, Seongnam, U.S, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Rifle, fur hat, drones: North Korea's Kim returns with gifts from Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves as he boards his train at a railway station in the town of Artyom outside Vladivostok in the Primorsky region, Russia, September 17, 2023. Following are some of the items he is bringing back to the "friendship" museum, where gifts received by the North's three generations of leaders are kept. GIFTS FROM RUSSIAAfter his summit with Russian President Putin, Kim received a Russian-made rifle "of the highest quality," according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Kim received a fur hat from Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Vladivostok, where he inspected Russian nuclear bombers, fighter jets equipped with hypersonic missiles and a warship. And Comrade Kim Jong Un liked it,” Matsegora said.

Persons: Kim Jong, Putin, Kim, Dmitry Peskov, Oleg Kozhemyako, Sergei Shoigu, Alexander Matsegora, It’s, Kim Jong Un, ” Matsegora, Yuri Gagarin, Kim Il Sung, Jimmy Carter, Francois Mitterrand, Michael Jordan, Madeleine Albright, Fidel Castro, Propaganda, Kim Dae, Kim Jong Il, Chung, yung, Jack Kim, Lidia Kelly, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Russian, North, TASS, Moscow, WHO, U.S, Hyundai, Hyundai Group, Thomson Locations: Artyom, Vladivostok, Primorsky, Russia, Russia's Primorsky Krai, Rights SEOUL, Russian, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Russia's, Khasan, North Korea, Paris, North, Cuban, South, North Korean, Seoul, Melbourne

☆ North Korea's Kim Jong Un checks out Putin's ride at Russia summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Jack Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin's Aurus limousine is seen on Red Square during a flower-laying ceremony at the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky on the National Unity Day in central Moscow, Russia November 4, 2019. Sputnik/Sergei Guneev/Kremlin via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to check out his Russian-made limousine on Wednesday ahead of their summit, ceding the spacious back seat to his guest. As they strolled to the main complex engaged in casual conversation, they came to Putin's presidential Aurus limousine parked in the driveway, and the Russian president gestured to the vehicle as Kim stood seemingly curious. Putin invited Kim to climb into the back seat and walked around to slide in next to the North Korean leader, who sat beaming. North Korea's KCNA news agency said on Thursday "Putin showed his private car to Kim Jong Un before having a warm talk".

Persons: Vladimir Putin's Aurus, Sergei Guneev, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, Putin, Kim, gestured, Kim Jong Un, NAMI, Royce Phantom, Donald Trump, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Unity, Sputnik, REUTERS, Rights, North, Wednesday, North Korean, Maybach, Lexus, Daimler, Pyeonghwa Motors, South Korean, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Kremlin, Rights SEOUL, Cosmodrome, Russian, Pyongyang, North Korea, Singapore

☆ Kim invites Putin to North Korea as he continues Russia visit - KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Putin accepted the invitation, state news agency KCNA said, without mentioning when a visit might take place. "At the end of the reception, Kim Jong Un courteously invited Putin to visit the DPRK at a convenient time," KCNA said, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's formal name. On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said there was no plan for Putin to visit Pyongyang. The U.S. State Department said the Biden administration "won't hesitate" to impose additional sanctions on Russia and North Korea if they conclude any new arms deals. On Wednesday, Putin gave numerous hints that military cooperation was discussed but disclosed few details.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Kim, Putin, KCNA, Dmitry Peskov, Biden, Matthew Miller, Kim Young, Sergei Shoigu, Hyonhee Shin, Jack Kim, Soo, hyang Choi, Kim Coghill, Lincoln, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Russian, Democratic People's, cosmodrome, U.S . State Department, Security, State, Thomson Locations: Amur Oblast, East Region, Russia, Rights SEOUL, Russia's Far, Russian, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North, Pyongyang, U.S, Ukraine, Moscow, North Korea

Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting at the Vostochny Сosmodrome in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, September 13, 2023. DPRK is short for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's formal name. At the opening of the meeting with Putin, Kim said it was an unwavering position of the North to further develop its traditional friendship and ties with Russia. Russian media said Putin showed Kim around the building where Russia's new space launch rocket, the Angara, is assembled. Humanitarian aid to North Korea and U.N. Security Council resolutions imposed on Pyongyang may also be discussed, Russian officials have said.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, North, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Smirnov, Kim, Putin, Kim Jong, Moscow, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, KCNA, Jo Chun Ryong, Hyunsu Yim, Josh Smith, Soo, hyang Choi, Lidia Kelly, Guy Faulconbridge, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Sputnik, REUTERS Acquire, North, DPRK, Democratic People's, Russia, Kremlin, Vostochny, Munitions Industry, Thomson Locations: Amur, Russia, North Korea, South Korea, MOSCOW, SEOUL, Washington, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North, Moscow, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia's, South, United States, Korea, Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by government officials, departs Pyongyang, North Korea, to visit Russia, September 10, 2023, in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on September 12, 2023. Pyongyang and Moscow have denied that North Korea would supply arms to Russia, which has expended vast stocks of weapons in more than 18 months of war. "The presence of Jo Chun Ryong indicates that North Korea and Russia will conclude some type of agreement for munitions purchases," said Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert at the Washington-based Stimson Center. The U.S. State Department said any transfer of arms from North Korea to Russia would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions, which ban any arms transactions with North Korea. Russia had voted, along with China, to approve Security Council resolutions as late as 2017 punishing North Korea for ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, Kim, Dmitry Peskov, Putin, Peskov, Jo Chun Ryong, Michael Madden, Chang Ho, Matthew Miller, Sergei Shoigu, Hyunsu Yim, Hyonhee Shin, Josh Smith, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Lidia Kelly, Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Kyodo, South Korea's Defence, TASS, Eastern Economic, OF, North Korean, Munitions Industry, Stimson, . South Korean, The U.S . State Department, Department, Russian Defence, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Pyongyang, North Korea, Russia, Rights SEOUL, WASHINGTON, Washington, Khasan, South, China, Ukraine, Vladivostok, Moscow, Korea, The, Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne

☆ North Korea's Kim appears to have departed for Russia for summit with Putin -YTN
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, April 25, 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 11 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to have departed for Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin, South Korean broadcaster YTN reported on Monday, citing an unnamed senior government source. Kim appears to be headed to North Korea's northeastern border on a special train, with the summit likely to be held as early as on Tuesday, according to the report. His last trip abroad in 2019 was also to Vladivostok for his first summit with Putin after the collapse of North Korea's nuclear disarmament talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi, Jack Kim; Editing by Toby Chopra and Himani SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, Alexander Zemlianichenko, YTN, Kim, Putin, Donald Trump, Soo, hyang Choi, Jack Kim, Toby Chopra, Himani Organizations: Rights, National Intelligence Service, U.S, Thomson Locations: Vladivostok, Russia, Rights SEOUL, South Korean, North

☆ North Korea's Kim Jong Un has photo session, but quiet amid talk of Russia visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a celebration event marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country, which falls on September 9, in North Korea, in this picture released on September 10, 2023. North Korea's state media have been silent about the trip, first reported by the New York Times citing U.S. officials, which South Korea's intelligence agency said was possible. North Korea in turn may be looking to fill shortfalls in military resources such as in its development of nuclear weapons that can be delivered by ballistic missiles and nuclear submarines, analysts have said. South Korea's military said the submarine did not appear ready for normal operations, and that there were signs North Korea was attempting to fabricate or exaggerate its capabilities. Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Jack Kim, Michael Perry Organizations: KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Workers ' Party of, Eastern Economic, New York Times, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Rights SEOUL, Russia, Workers ' Party of Korea, Vladivostok, Moscow, Pyongyang, United States, Ukraine, Korea, Soviet

☆ South Korea's Yoon meets China Premier Li at ASEAN summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attends the ASEAN-South Korea Summit at the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 6, 2023. Tatan Syuflana/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 7 (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with China's Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Thursday, just hours after Yoon called for a rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea. Yoon's meeting with Li comes after the South Korean leader vowed to enhance cooperation with China and Japan. Just hours earlier, Yoon said any attempts to change the status quo by force in the South China Sea cannot be tolerated. He was speaking at the East Asia Summit which includes the ASEAN bloc, China, Japan, the United States and others.

Persons: Yoon Suk, yeol, Tatan, Yoon Suk Yeol, China's Premier Li Qiang, Yoon, Li, Indonesia's, Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Soo, hyang Choi, Jack Kim, Tom Hogue, Michael Perry Organizations: South, ASEAN, South Korea Summit, Association of, Southeast Asian Nations, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, China's Premier, East Asia, United Nations, . Security Council, The United, Thomson Locations: South Korean, Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights SEOUL, Indonesian, South China, China, Japan, South, United States, Pyongyang, Russia, Moscow, The United States, North Korea, Ukraine, South Korea

☆ South Korea's Yoon says any military cooperation with North Korea must stop
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Jack Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, center, arrives to the ASEAN-South Korea Summit at the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 6, 2023. Tatan Syuflana/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 6 (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday any attempt to cooperate with North Korea on military affairs in a way that damages international peace must immediately halt. "Attempt at military cooperation with North Korea that harms international peace must immediately halt," Yoon's office quoted him as saying at a meeting with the leaders of ASEAN countries. North Korea and Russia have denied they were in arms negotiations. Before the pandemic, China hosted the largest number of North Korean workers abroad, with as many as half of the estimated 100,000 people earning more than $500 million a year.

Persons: Yoon Suk, Tatan, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Kim, Sergei Shoigu, Fumio Kishida, Li Qiang, Jack Kim, Soo, hyang Choi, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Christopher Cushing Organizations: South, ASEAN, South Korea Summit, Association of, Southeast Asian Nations, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, New York Times, Japanese, Security, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, Russia, Vladivostok, Moscow, Ukraine, South Korea, China, Korean, Seoul

☆ South Korea's Yoon Says Any Attempt to Cooperate Militarily With North Korea Must Stop
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday any attempt to cooperate with North Korea on military affairs in a way that damages international peace must immediately halt, his office said. Yoon made the comment at a summit meeting with Southeast Asia's ASEAN bloc countries in Jakarta, Indonesia, his office said. "Attempt at military cooperation with North Korea that harms international peace must immediately halt," Yoon's office quoted him as saying at his meeting with the leaders of ASEAN countries earlier on Wednesday. North Korea and Russia have denied they were in arms negotiations. At a later meeting with ASEAN leaders together with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Yoon said South Korea will work closely with the two Asian neighbours with the goal of resuming their three-way summit.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Kim, Sergei Shoigu, Fumio Kishida, Li Qiang, Jack Kim, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Christopher Cushing Organizations: ASEAN, North, New York Times, Russia's, Japanese Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, Jakarta, Indonesia, Russia, Russia's, Vladivostok, Moscow, Ukraine, South Korea

☆ South Koreans worry about Fukushima water; more disapprove of Yoon - poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

South Korean people chant slogans during a protest against Japan’s discharge of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, in Seoul, South Korea, August 26, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 1 (Reuters) - A majority of South Koreans are worried about Japan's discharge of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea despite efforts by their government to allay fears, a poll published on Friday showed. The South Korean government, however, has said it sees no scientific problem with the water release, though stressing it does not approve of it, and banning the import of seafood from waters off Fukushima, north of Tokyo. Despite such efforts, South Korean environmental groups and many members of the public are alarmed and Yoon's disapproval rating has risen to the highest in months, a Gallup Korea poll of 1,002 people showed. The Fukushima nuclear plant was wrecked by a tsunami triggered by an offshore earthquake in 2011.

Persons: Kim Hong, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, 1,321.1500, Hyunsu Yim, Jack Kim, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, Gallup, Gallup Korea, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, South, Japan, China, Fukushima, Tokyo, South Korean, Gallup Korea

☆ Protests mount in South Korea over Japan's plan to release Fukushima water
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Jack Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol's government has come under criticism as it defended the position that its own assessment found no problems with the scientific and technical aspects of Japan's plan. Democratic Party members and Foreign Minister Park Jin clashed in parliament over the possibility of direct impact to South Korea. [1/5]A woman holds up a placard during a protest against Japan's plan to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, in central Seoul, South Korea, August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji Acquire Licensing RightsJapan has said that the water release is safe. South Korea said it accepted IAEA's conclusion.

Persons: Japan's, Yoon Suk, Yoon, Lee Jae, myung, Park Jin, Kim Hong, Lee, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Democratic Party, pollster Media Research, South, Foreign, REUTERS, Japan, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, assailing, Korea Federation, Environmental, Fisheries, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Japan, Korea's, Seoul, Korea, China, assailing Tokyo, Pacific

☆ North Korea's space launch program and long-range missile projects
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gives field guidance at the Seohae satellite launch site, in North Korea, in this photo released on March 11, 2022 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Dec. 12, 2012: North Korea successfully launches the Kwangmyongsong-3, putting an object in orbit. April 2013: North Korea establishes the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) which purports to pursue space exploration for peaceful purposes. Aug 29, 2017: North Korea fires an intermediate range missile over northern Japan, prompting warnings to residents to take cover. March 16, 2023: North Korea test launches the Hwasong-17 ICBM, its biggest missile, which some analysts believe incorporates technology for space launch vehicles.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim Jong Il, Hyon, ”, Kim, Jack Kim, Ed Davies, Josh Smith, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, REUTERS, Rights, Japan's Coast Guard, ., North Korea, National Aerospace Development Administration, United, International, Japan, International Maritime Organization, Pacific, Thomson Locations: North Korea, North, Rights SEOUL, South Korea, United States, Korea, Pyongyang, Japan, U.S, East China

☆ South Korea sees no scientific problem with Fukushima water release plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An aerial view shows the storage tanks for treated water at the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan August 22, 2023, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Aug 22 (Reuters) - South Korea said on Tuesday it sees no problem with the scientific or technical aspects of Japan's plan to release water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant but it does not necessarily support the plan. "We have assessed that there are no scientific or technical problems with the plan to release the contaminated water," it said. "But we want to make clear that our government does not necessarily agree with or support the plan to release contaminated water," the statement said. The country's opposition Democratic Party, however, said on Tuesday that its "battle" to stop the release would continue, calling Japan's plan "selfish and irresponsible."

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Jack Kim, Hyonhee, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Kyodo, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, South, Democratic Party, Thomson Locations: Okuma, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, Rights SEOUL, South Korea, Seoul

☆ Too hot for K-pop as South Korea scrambles to save scout jamboree
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Jack Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A British participant who left a camping site of the 25th World Scout Jamboree arrives at a hotel in Seoul, South Korea, August 5, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-JiSEOUL, Aug 6 (Reuters) - A K-pop music concert scheduled for Sunday at a World Scout Jamboree in South Korea was postponed due to heat safety concerns as the host pressed on with the meet despite extreme temperatures that led three national contingents to pull out. Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min said the jamboree organisers "accepted the concerns over safety-related incidents" if the show was held on Sunday night. Temperatures at the jamboree site have hovered above 33 Celsius (91.4F). But the jamboree host and the government of South Korea said they had consulted with participating scouting contingents and decided the jamboree should continue.

Persons: Kim Hong, Ji, Lee Sang, Lee, Jacob Murray, Jack Kim, Tom Hogue Organizations: REUTERS, of Interior, World Organization of, Scout Movement, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Ji SEOUL, American, Singapore

☆ 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

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has warned extreme weather should be expected as the norm because of climate change, but extensive damage to property and farmland and human casualties for a second year, has cast doubt on the country's readiness. Kwon, who has been farming for 25 years, said it was the first time extreme weather conditions had caused such severe damage since she began growing watermelons 10 years ago. Farmers called for stronger preparations for global warming and asked the government to build more facilities to prevent damage from extreme climate changes. Neighbouring farmer Lee Gun-ho, 60, who cultivates lettuce and strawberries, says farming is always tricky when it comes to weather but more extreme conditions are occurring more frequently and unexpectedly. "However, it's getting warmer and sudden heavy rains are pouring a lot more.

Persons: Kwon Gye, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kwon, ”, Yoon, Lee, Jack Kim, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Farmers, Minwoo, Thomson Locations: South Korea, South, Nonsan ., Seoul

☆ High-level Chinese delegation to visit North Korea - KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, July 24 (Reuters) - A high-level Chinese delegation will travel to North Korea this week, the North's official KCNA news agency reported on Monday, in the first acknowledged visit of its kind since Pyongyang shut its borders in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic. Chinese Communist Party politburo member Li Hongzhong will take part in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, KCNA reported. North Korea closed its border in early 2020 to all trade and diplomatic exchanges, even with its main economic and political ally China. North Korea refers to July 27 1953, the date when the armistice ending fighting in the Korean War was signed, as victory day. Large-scale events are expected to mark the 70th anniversary this year.

Persons: Li Hongzhong, KCNA, Li, Jack Kim Organizations: Communist Party, National, Congress, Fatherland, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, Pyongyang, China, South Korea, Washington

☆ North Korea fires two missiles after U.S. submarine arrives in South
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, July 25 (Reuters) - North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast late on Monday, South Korea's military said, hours after a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine arrived in a naval base in the South. Japan's defence ministry also reported the launch of what it said could be a ballistic missile by North Korea. North Korea has reacted angrily, saying such deployment could meet the criteria for its use of nuclear weapons. Earlier on Monday, a nuclear-powered U.S. submarine entered a naval base in South Korea's southern island of Jeju, to load military supplies while on an unspecified operational mission, the South Korean navy said. Last week, North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests, that time after a nuclear-armed U.S. submarine arrived at a South Korean port for the first time since the 1980s.

Persons: Jack Kim, Chang, Ran Kim, Alison Williams, Andrew Heavens Organizations: South Korean, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, South Korea, United States, U.S, Korea, South, Jeju, Korean, Seoul, Tokyo

☆ UN Command talking to North Korea about US soldier Travis King
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SEOUL, July 24 (Reuters) - The United Nations Command and North Korea have begun discussing the case of Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed into the North last week, the deputy commander of the U.S.-led command that oversees the Korean War truce said on Monday. King, a U.S. Army private serving in South Korea, sprinted into North Korea on July 18 while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone on the inter-Korean border, landing Washington in a fresh diplomatic quandary with the nuclear-armed North. Last week, North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine arrived at a South Korean port. North Korea is banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions from using ballistic missile technology, which Pyongyang defiantly rejects. Late last week, North Korea warned that deployment of U.S. aircraft carriers, bombers or missile submarines in South Korea could meet criteria for its use of nuclear weapons.

Persons: Travis King, General Andrew Harrison, Harrison, King, Hyunsu Yim, Jack Kim, Ed Davies, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: United Nations Command, U.S . Army, UNC, North, British Army, Korean People's Army, ., Joint Security Area, People, U.S, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, U.S, South Korea, Washington, Korean, Pyongyang, Fort Bliss , Texas

North Korea's state media, which in the past reported on the detention of U.S. nationals, have also not commented on the incident so far. "I don't think anyone who was sane would want to go to North Korea, so I assumed it was some kind of stunt." State Department spokesman Miller said Sweden has been engaged as it acts as a diplomatic channel for Washington which remains technically at war with North Korea. North Korea has previously detained Americans who entered the country and put them on trial but eventually released them, often following high-level diplomatic intervention. A former North Korean diplomat who defected to South Korea said King may be used as a propaganda tool, but it was not clear how long North Korea would want to exploit his presence.

Persons: Kim Hong, Ji, Travis T, Matthew Miller, King, Sarah Leslie, Miller, Karine Jean, Pierre, Biden, Otto Warmbier, hyang Choi, Phil Smith, Steve Holland, Jack Kim, Ed Davies, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, State Department, Pentagon, Korean People's Army, North, Joint Security Area, New Zealand, Reuters, . State, U.S, United Nations Command, Thomson Locations: Panmunjom, South Korea, U.S, Sweden, North Korea, SEOUL, WASHINGTON, Washington, Pyongyang, North, United States, New, Korea, Korean, Seoul

Search resuls for: "Jack Kim"

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