North Korean poster shows U.S. Capitol under fire
North Korea's 'Dear Leader'
While more than a million of his people starved to death in the last decade, he spent billions on gigantic monuments and elaborate stadium spectacles to deify his father and himself. He's a movie producer who says he has always wanted to direct. And he once sent thugs to kidnap a South Korean actress and her director husband so he could force them to help build his country's film industry. [He's clearly his father's son:] The Great Leader had an insatiable craving for adulation. By the late '80s he had erected more than 34,000 monuments to himself. His photograph was displayed in every building and pinned to the clothing of every citizen, right over the heart. Benches where he'd once sat were sealed in glass and turned into relics. [Source: Peter Carlson (Washington Post Staff Writer), "Sins of the Son: Kim Jong Il's North Korea Is in Ruins, But Why Should That Spoil His Fun?", Washington Post, May 11, 2003, p. D1]
North Korea learned about n-weapon threats firsthand from McArthur and Truman
The North Koreans had learned from the nuclear diplomacy of the Korean War. During the war General Douglas MacArthur, who had been in charge of the UN troops, was sacked by US President Harry Truman because he had publicly stated nuclear weapons could be used on China to end the war. Even Truman later made veiled threats that nuclear weapons might be used in the conflict, to speed up armistice talks. [Source: Troy Lennon (MATP), "How outsiders snuck into the nuclear club", The Daily Telegraph (Australia), June 20, 2006, p. 47]
Population: 22 million
Socialist dictatorship.
A highly secretive state that has isolated itself from the rest of the world for decades.
NPT: Joined in 1985, but only submitted to inspections beginning in 1992. In January 2003, it pulled out..
NUCLEAR WEAPONS: UNKNOWN
North Korea may have produced enough plutonium for 3 to 6 nuclear weapons and is producing more plutonium at a reactor it took out of mothballs in 2002. The CIA estimates North Korea has 1 or 2 nuclear bombs..
NUCLEAR CAPABILITIES:
-- North Korea began producing plutonium for nuclear weapons in the 1970s. In October 2002, the United States said North Korea had admitted to a secret long-running uranium enrichment project. The country has extensive natural uranium deposits.
-- Under a 1994 accord with the United States, North Korea agreed to freeze plutonium production in return for two proliferation-resistant nuclear power plants and delivery of fuel oil.
-- In December 2002, North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors and subsequently quit the NPT. North Korea is also suspected of running a highly enriched uranium program. Six-party talks, among the U.S., China, Russia, Japan and the two Koreas, are set to resume this week..
DELIVERY SYSTEM
-- North Korea has a highly sophisticated ballistic missile program. It has deployed short-range missiles with ranges of up to 620 miles and has tested one with an 800-mile range. Technology is mostly derived from Soviet Scud designs.
-- It has also conducted a partially successful test of an intermediate-range system (Taepo Dong-1). It may be working on a Taepo Dong-2, which if fully developed could deliver a small payload to California.
-- North Korea is the worlds leading exporter of ballistic missiles and has sold missiles and components to Egypt, Iran, Libya, Pakistan and Syria.
[Source: The San Francisco Chronicle, "The dangerous world of nuclear weapons", FEBRUARY 22, 2004, p. A21]
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January 25, 2012
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] N. Korea denounces planned S. Korea-U.S. joint military drills, Yonhap News
January 23, 2012
* [North Korea-Iran] Why Iran and North Korea Are Different, John Glaser, antiwar.com (via Nevada ANP)
January 22, 2012
* [North Korea-US] U.S. Passed Message To North Korea On Desire For Talks: Senior Envoy, Elaine M. Grossman (via Paulo's Corner)
The United States has conveyed to North Korea its readiness to engage in talks about Pyongyang's nuclear program and other issues, a senior U.S. diplomat said on Thursday."We have made clear -- through both public channels and privately -- that we are prepared to start a new chapter, and deal clearly with outstanding issues of nuclear matters and the like," Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said at a Washington event. Any U.S. engagement with Nor...
January 21, 2012
* [North Korea] Concerns over NK Provocations Threaten 'Key Resolve', Cho Jong Ik, Daily NK (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] N. Korea builds up Kim Jong Un as nuke visionary, Associated Press (via @NKoreaReports)
* [North Korea] North Korea credits new leader Kim Jong Un with spearheading nuclear testing, Associated Press (via @NKoreaReports)
* [North Korea-Japan] North Korea Releases Two Japanese Detained Last Year, Matsubara Says, Sachiko Sakamaki, Bloomberg (via @NKoreaReports)
* [North Korea] His dear leader: Meet North Korea's secret weapon - an IT consultant from Spain; Alejandro Cao de Benos - or 'Zo', as his comrades call him - is a devoted follower of the late Kim Jong-il and vigorously defends the North Korean government he represents, Tim Hume, The Independent (via @NKoreaReports)
January 20, 2012
* [North Korea-US] US warns against N Korea 'provocation', Agence France Presse (via @NKoreaReports)
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korean nuclear envoy returns home after tripartite talks with U.S., Japan, Yonhap News Agency (a CSIS top story)
* [North Korea] North Korea credits new leader Kim Jong Un with past nuclear testing, Washington Post (via CSIS)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] S. Korean nuclear envoy returns home after tripartite talks with U.S., Japan, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea calls for dialogue with N. Korea amid lingering tensions, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
January 19, 2012
* [North Korea-talks] Foreign ministers of S. Korea, U.S., Japan to hold talks on N. Korea, Yonhap (via CSIS)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] Foreign ministers of S. Korea, U.S., Japan to hold talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan and U.S. to hold talks over DPRK issues, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
January 18, 2012
* [North Korea talks] U.S., allies say North Korea welcome to resume nuclear talks, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
* [North Korea talks] Path for dialogue with N. Korea open: allies, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea talks] Path open to N. Korea for dialogue: U.S. and allies, Korea Herald (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] Japan, S. Korea, U.S. to explore early ministerial talks on N. Korea, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-US] DPRK accuses U.S. of posing nuclear threat to world, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP and CSIS)
* [North Korea] US, allies plot next steps on post-Kim N.Korea, Agence France Presse (via CSIS)
January 17, 2012
* [North Korea] Time for a peaceful Peninsula, Sun Ru, China Daily (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] Kim Jong Il's Eldest Son Predicts Failure for North Korea, Akiko Fujita, ABC News
* [North Korea] Will North Korea Attempt a China-Style Opening?; Probably not under Kim Jong Un, but a Deng Xiaoping-style reformer could be around the corner, Jonathan Levine, The Atlantic
* [North Korea] Report: Kim Jong Un won't 'last long,' half brother says; Kim Jong Il's eldest son also says North Korea's new leader has traveled to Japan in the past using a 'fake Brazilian passport', MSNBC
* [North Korea] Top official dismisses concerns about Kim Jong Un, Jean S. Lee, Associated Press (via CSIS)
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea renews hope for talks with N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
January 16, 2012
* [North Korea-US-food] U.S. says no nuclear link with North Korea food talks, Sui-Lee Wee, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korean envoy heads to Washington for three-way talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea's nuclear envoy to attend trilateral talks on DPRK, Xinhua News
* [North Korea] AP opens full news bureau in North Korea, Mainichi Daily News
January 15, 2012
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] S. Korean envoy heads to Washington for three-way talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
January 14, 2012
* [North Korea-South Korea] N. Korea vows to make S. Korea pay 'dearest price' for hurting leaders' dignity, Yonhap (via @NKoreaReports)
* [North Korea] North Korea denies punishment of Ôinsincere mournersÕ, Agence France Presse (via @NKoreaReports)
* [North Korea] Why We Need Detente With North Korea, Bennett Ramberg, The New Republic (via @NKoreaReports)
January 13, 2012
* [North Korea-talks] Three-way talks to focus on N. Korea nukes, UPI (a CSIS top story)
* [North Korea] N. Korea ranked worst in nuclear materials security, Yonhap (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] Korea, US stand firm against NK's 'provocation': FM, Korea Times (via CSIS)
* [North Korea-talks] Six-way talks no longer workable: Reiss, Yonhap (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] What not to do about North Korea, Victor Cha, The Diplomat (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] Let them eat yellowcake, Economist (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] Cloudy outlook for peninsula, Yim Sung-joon, Korea Times(via CSIS)
* [North Korea] NKorea signals it's open to US disarmament deal, AP, (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
* [North Korea-missiles] N. Korea test-fired 3 short-range missiles this week: Japan newspaper, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-talks] Reiss: Six-way talks no longer workable, Arirang News (via Nevada ANP)
January 12, 2012
* [North Korea] As young leader rises, NKorea signals it’s open to deal with US but wary of giving up nukes, Washington Post (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] Bringing Kim in from the cold, Kevin Rafferty, Japan Times (via CSIS; also highlighted by IAEA Daily Press Review)
* [North Korea] N. Korea ranked worst in nuclear materials security, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] North Korea Open to Talks on Nuclear Program, Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] Three-way talks to focus on N. Korea nukes, UPI (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, Japan set for talks over N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Chief nuclear envoys of S. Korea, Japan meet, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Top Nuclear Envoys from S. Korea, Japan Meet, Arirang News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Japanese, S Korean Nuclear Envoys Hold N Korea Talks, VOA News (via CSIS)
* [North Korea-talks] (Yonhap Interview) Six-way talks no longer workable: Reiss, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
January 11, 2012
* [North Korea] South Korea Predicts Nuclear Test by North Korea This Year, Voice of America
* [North Korea-US] US offered food aid for disarmament Ð N Korea, AP
* [North Korea-US] North Korea Accuses U.S. of Politicizing Food Aid, Evan Ramstad, Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
* [North Korea] New Book Sheds Light on North Korea Dynasty, Steve Herman, Voice of America
* [North Korea] S. Korea think-tank warns of North's 'military adventurism', Jeremy Laurence, Reuters
* [North Korea] Truth about North Korea doesn't rest with the west, Alex Reinhart, The Cord (Canada)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Japanese nuclear envoy to visit Seoul this week, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-US] N. Korea claims U.S. proposed suspending sanctions and resuming food aid, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-US] N. Korea denies asking U.S. for food aid, Korea Herald (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-US] N Korea Open to Food-Nuke Deal with U.S., Hyung-Jin Kim and Foster Klug, TIME (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] Does promise or peril await in North Korea?, Javier Solana, The Japan Times (via IAEA Daily Press Review; also highlighted by Paulo's Corner)
* [North Korea-US] N. Korea reopens door to food-for-nukes deal with U.S., Chico Harlan, Washington Post (via Paulo's Corner)
January 10, 2012
* [North Korea-China] North Korea diplomacy picks up in China, Reuters (this was a CSIS top story)
Lee's office said in a statement after his meeting with Wen that the two 'shared the view that denuclearization of the Korean peninsula as well as peace and stability are of paramount importance and agreed to continue to closely consult and cooperate each other.'
* [North Korea-South Korea-China] China, South Korea Hold Summit on North Korea, AP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
The presidents of South Korea and China agreed Monday to work together to achieve peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, in their first summit since Kim Jong Il's death opened the chance for major changes in North Korea.
January 9, 2012
* [North Korea-China-South Korea] Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, China to meet in Beijing on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-China] China's Un-relenting watch, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-China] S. Korea's Nuclear Envoy to Meet Chinese Counterpart in Beijing, Arirang News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] (Yonhap Interview) Seoul-Tokyo cooperation critical to dealing with N.K.: ambassador, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] NK leader signals 'military-first' policy, Kim Young-jin, Korea Times (via Nevada ANP)
January 8, 2012
* [North Korea-rumored explosion] S. Korea dismisses rumors of nuclear explosion in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
January 7, 2012
* [North Korea-rumor of Jan 6 explosion] Police investigating rumor of nuclear explosion in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-rumor of Jan 6 explosion] S. Korea dismisses rumors of nuclear explosion in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] S. Korea, U.S., Japan to hold high-level talks on N. Korea: Campbell, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
January 6, 2012
* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] S Korea verifies N Korea nuclear explosion is not true, fx market alerts
* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] S. Korea dismisses rumors of nuclear explosion in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] FSS probes stock rumors on N.K. nuclear blast, Kim Yon-se, Korea Herald
* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] North Korea rumours shake Seoul bourse, Business Report (South Africa)
* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] Rumor of N. Korean nuclear explosion prompt brief stock panic in South, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (also highlighted by Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-China] Amid N. Korea succession, China makes push for stability, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-China-US] U.S. Asks China to Pressure North Korea to Avoid Provocations During Transition, Choe Sang-Hun, NY Times (via CSIS)
A senior American diplomat on Thursday called on China to help restrain the new leadership in North Korea from military provocations during the transition of power there.
* [North Korea-South Korea] Uneasy calm hides distant tremors from both sides of Korean border, Philip Wen, Sydney Morning Herald
* [North Korea-South Korea] South Korea Reaches Out to North Korea, NTD Television
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] U.S. Military Cuts to Reduce Emergency Reinforcements in Korea, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
A new, more austere U.S. defense strategy unveiled Thursday gives up on fighting major wars overseas and reduces active-duty troops from 570,000 to 470,000. The aim is to cut more than US$450 billion in defense spending over the next decade.
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] What Does the New U.S. Defense Strategy Mean for S.Korea?, Chosun Ilbo (a CSIS top story)
The U.S. is shifting its defense strategy away from big, expensive wars like Iraq and Afghanistan and downsizing or consolidating missions to reduce the defense budget by US$450 billion to $1 trillion over the next 10 years. This has made it inevitable for the Pentagon to revise its military priorities.
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] U.S. Pledges to Stand by South Korea on Policy, Evan Ramstad, Wall Street Journal (via CSIS)
The U.S. will stick close to South Korea in forming an approach to deal with North Korea's new leader, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said Thursday.
January 5, 2012
* [North Korea] The top five ways things could go wrong in the hermit kingdom, Michael Mazza, AEI, The American
* [North Korea-China-South Korea] Lee to Make State Visit to China Next Week, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
President Lee Myung-bak will fly to China for a state visit on Monday. During the three-day trip, Lee is expected to hold a bilateral summit with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, setting the stage for the first private meeting between the two leaders since the death of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-il.
* [North Korea-China-US] China reluctant to discuss North Korea with U.S., Asahi Shimbun (via CSIS)
Washington asked Beijing for bilateral talks on North Korea issues, but China said it needed time to determine the direction of Pyongyang's new leadership, a senior U.S. government official told reporters.
* [North Korea-China-US] U.S. urges China to make clear 'restraint' by N. Korea's new leadership, Kim Deok-hyun and Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] (Yonhap Interview) S. Korea, U.S. want nuclear talks with N. Korea to restart soon: Han, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea] Seoul Needs to Handle the New N.Korean Regime Delicately, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
North Korea's official papers said in a New Year's editorial that the party, military and people must become a "shield" to protect new leader Kim Jong-un "to the death." It added the party and military must firmly support Kim's "sole" leadership.
* [North Korea-South Korea] South Korea 'open to dialogue' with North, minister says, Paula Hancocks, CNN (a CSIS top story)
South Korea is "open to dialogue" with the new North Korean leadership, despite harsh recent comments from Pyongyang, Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan said Thursday.
* [North Korea-South Korea] Seoul seeks high-level contacts with NK, Park Si-soo, Korea Times (via CSIS)
The Ministry of Unification said Thursday that it will seek to restore a high-level communications channel with North Korea this year as part of efforts to put moribund inter-Korean relations onto a normal track.
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea willing to hold talks with N. Korea's new leader: FM, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea to push for contacts with N. Korea to pave way for high-level talks, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea] South Korea says ready for talk with hostile North, Jeremy Laurence and Christine Kim, Reuters
* [North Korea-UK] Yonhap Interview: Regional powers must keep pressure on N.K. to denuclearize: British envoy, Kim Deok-hyun and Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News
* [North Korea] US:"Inter-Korean Relations Must First Improve to Resume 6-way Talks, Arirang News
* [North Korea] N.Korea Starts Image-Building of New Leader, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
North Korea portrays Kim Jong-un as a confident, chummy new leader in footage aired on state TV Tuesday evening.
January 4, 2012
* [North Korea-South Korea-China] Leaders of S. Korea, China to hold summit in Beijing next week, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] U.S. reluctant to talk with N. Korea without S. Korea, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News
* [North Korea] N. Korea's military stronger than ever: think tank, Yonhap News
* [North Korea] US:"Inter-Korean Relations Must First Improve to Resume 6-way Talks, Arirang News
January 3, 2012
* [North Korea] Analysis: N.Korea's missile-maker seen in key role in new regime, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Reuters (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] US envoy arrives in China on Asia tour for talks on post-Kim Jong Il North Korea, AP (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] S. Korean president sees 'window' to deal with North, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (CSIS top news)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Seoul Needs to Handle the New N.Korean Regime Delicately, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Two Koreas 'at a turning point' says South president, BBC (via CSIS)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Sign of weakness, Korea Herald editorial, via Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea lifts temporary ban on visits to N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] U.S. says DPRK's refusal to deal with South Korea not conducive to renewed talks, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
January 2, 2012
* [North Korea-South Korea] South Korea's Lee calls on North to end nuclear activities, Jack Kim, Yahoo!7 News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Lee Offers 'New Era' to N.Korea, Chosun Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Lee leaves 'window of opportunity' open for better ties with N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] The 'Gang of 7' Behind Kim Jong-un, Chosun Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
January 1, 2012
* [North Korea-Kim Jong Un] North Korea tells its people to protect Kim Jong-un as 'human shields' in New Year message, The Telegraph (UK)
* [North Korea-China] N. Korean economy likely to get boost from China: KD, MCOT.net
December 31, 2011
* [North Korea-Ju Kyu Chang] DPRK's missile-maker seen as key player in new regime, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Reuters (via The China Post)
* [North Korea] A peep inside North Korea, Ashfaqur Rahman, Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies/The Daily Star (Lebanon)
* [North Korea] Power behind Kim Jong-un's throne: the 'Gang of Seven' emerges from the shadows, Andrew Salmon, The Telegraph (UK)
* [North Korea-South Korea] N. Korea reiterates 'no dealing' with S. Korea's conservative gov't, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] North Korea condemns South Korea, vows no policy changes, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
December 30, 2011
* [North Korea-South Korea] N. Korea vows not to deal with S. Korea's president, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] N. Korea's new leadership rules out policy changes, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
December 29, 2011
* [North Korea-change] Banker Who Fled Kim Jong Il Says New Leader May Open North Korean Economy, Jiyeun Lee and Eunkyung Seo, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-old Kim] Kim Jong-il's Miserable Legacy, Chosun Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-Russia] Russia appoints new chief envoy for N. Korea nuclear talks, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-Russia] Russia appoints new chief envoy for N. Korea nuclear talks, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] Senior U.S. diplomat to visit S. Korea early next month, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
December 28, 2011
* [North Korea] N.Korea closer to nuclear-tipped missile: U.S. expert, Jim Wolf, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea] S Korea's top nuclear envoy visits U.S. over DPRK issues, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea/US] S. Korean nuclear envoy heads to Washington for talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea/US/Japan] S. Korea, U.S., Japan planning to hold post-Kim talks next month, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
December 27, 2011
* [North Korea] N.Korea closer to nuclear-tipped missile: U.S. expert, Jim Wolf, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-regional jitters] Kim's death sparking vigorous diplomacy; 6-party players engage in talks over NK, Kim Young-jin, Korea Times, front page lead story
* [North Korea] Turbulent times ahead for Korean Peninsula amid transition in Pyongyang, Kim Deok-hyun, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] N. Korea may delay 'strong nation' declaration: experts, Song Sang-ho, Korea Herald (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] North Korea - averting collapse or chaos is region's top issue, Paul Koring, The Globe and Mail, Toronto, front page lead story
* [North Korea] Nuclear arsenal key to N Korea's new regime, Luke Harding, Melbourne Age, Australia (via Paulo's Corner)
* [North Korea/Kim] Jong Un solidifies grip on power with new post, Japan Times front page, with credit to AP, Wash'n Post
* [North Korea/Japan/China] North Korea nuke talks - Noda asks Hu to help, Kyodo News (via front page story in Japan Times)
* [North Korea/Japan/China] Japan urges China to help stabilise N. Korea; Noda also asks key ally of Pyongyang to share information on transition, Singapore Straits Times, front page story
* [North Korea/South Korea] South Korean mourning delegation meets wih late Kim Jong Il's heir, AP (via front page story in Roswell Daily Record)
* [North Korea/South Korea] S. Koreans meet NK successor, Kim Young-jin, Korea Times, front page top story
* [North Korea/South Korea/China] S. Korea, China put top priority on stability in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea/US] S. Korean envoy to visit U.S. to discuss Kim death, nuclear talks, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea/US] Top Nuclear Envoy From South Korea to Visit U.S. Tomorrow on North Issues, Seonjin Cha, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
December 26, 2011
* [North Korea] Sen. Richard Lugar fears that North Korean nuclear materials, nuclear weapons could be sold, Associated Press (via Wash'n Examiner)
* [North Korea-US] North Korea - fear and uncertainty in US over successor, Matthew Lee, AP (front page of Akron Beacon Journal)
* [North Korea-US] Caution mutes US response to NKorea, analysis by Matthew Lee, Associated Press (via Drudge)
* [North Korea-US] US opts for caution on North Korea amid fear, uncertainty after Kim Jong Il death, Associated Press
* [North Korea] Succession appears smooth in N. Korea, Chico Harlan, The Washington Post
* [North Korea/Japan/China] After death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Japanese PM seeks Chinese cooperation, Associated Press
* [North Korea/Japan/China] N. Korea looms over Japan, China talks, Scott McDonald, The Washington Post
* [North Korea] North Korea media hail Kim as supreme commander, Park Si-soo, The Korea Times
* [North Korea] North Korea defectors to South suffer discrimination, Kim Tae-jong, The Korea Times front page story
* [North Korea] North Korea - Kim's Uncle Jang in uniform, AP (front page story in The Japan Times)
* [North Korea-Japan/China] Noda asks Hu to help on six-party nuke talks, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-transition] Who Is in Charge of N.Korea's Nuclear Weapons?, Chosun Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-transition] A week after N. Korean leader's death, signs of smooth transition, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] Premiers in bid to restart 6-party talks, EastDay (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] Helping N.K. open up, Korea Herald editorial, via Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] Back to normal; N. Korea issue cannot cover domestic scandals, Korea Times editorial, via Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] People should come first, JoongAng Daily editorial, via Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/China/Japan] Nuclear fears dominate talks between Japan and China, Sydney Morning Herald (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/Japan/China] Japan urges China to help keep in check North Korea, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Yahoo!7 News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/Japan/China] Japan, China leaders meet on N. Korea transition, Scott McDonald, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
December 25, 2011
* [North Korea] Younger Kim named N. Korea army chief, UPI
* [North Korea/China/Japan] North Korea Expected to Be Focus of Japan-China Meeting, Michael Wines, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/China/South Korea] S. Korea, China to hold high-level talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea] Change in NK policy needed, Dong-A Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea] South Korean funeral snub brings harsh words from the North, UPI
December 24, 2011
* [North Korea] Kim Jong-il dead: Will historyÕs first nuclear regency end with a whimper or a bang?, George Jonas, National Post (via @nuclearnewsbot
* [North Korea/China/South Korea] S. Korea, China to hold high-level talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea] Seoul to hold additional nuclear talks, UPI (via Nevada ANP)
July 15, 2011
"Strategic patience" of Obama administration towards North Korea
John Bolton has a thoughtful op ed in today's Washington Times. The only good thing he has to say about Obama administration's 'startling passivity' towards North Korea is that " at least [Obama has] not been scurrying to revive the failed Six-Party Talks or willfully denying the NorthÕs weapons-related progress, as many did in the George W. Bush administrationÕs final years..."
Amb. Bolton also has interesting things to say about Iran, Pakistan, China and Russia.
Source: John Bolton, "North Korea edges toward next nuke test; Obama takes little notice of menacing developments in Pyongyang and Tehran", The Washington Times, July 15, 2011, p. B1
See older North Korea news