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U.S. Focus on ‘Interim’ Steps with N. Korea Raises Questions about Policy Direction

U.S. Focus on ‘Interim’ Steps with N. Korea Raises Questions about Policy Direction

WASHINGTON, Mar. 6 (Korea Bizwire) — U.S. officials’ recent focus on the idea of “interim steps” for a path towards North Korea’s ultimate denuclearization is raising a flurry of questions about their intentions and the direction of America’s policy on the recalcitrant regime. The idea has come into the spotlight in South Korea as some [...]

N. Korea Starts Construction of Factories under Regional Economy Development Policy

N. Korea Starts Construction of Factories under Regional Economy Development Policy

SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — North Korea has begun the construction of factories, state media reported Thursday, as its leader Kim Jong-un called for the development of backward provinces amid prolonged economic difficulties. Kim attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the regional industrial factories in Songchon County, South Pyongan Province, on Wednesday, [...]

Cautious Hopes Reemerge for Japan’s Role over N. Korean Nuclear Conundrum

Cautious Hopes Reemerge for Japan’s Role over N. Korean Nuclear Conundrum

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 (Korea Bizwire) — With South Korea and the United States estranged from North Korea, cautious hopes are reemerging that Japan’s diplomatic outreach to Pyongyang could lead to an opening for the resumption of long-stalled diplomacy for peace with the recalcitrant regime. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has repeatedly expressed his intention to [...]

Trump’s NATO Remarks Renew Worries about U.S. Commitment to Alliance, N.K. Deterrence

Trump’s NATO Remarks Renew Worries about U.S. Commitment to Alliance, N.K. Deterrence

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Former President Donald Trump’s recent controversial remarks on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is stoking a renewed yet consequential question for South Korea: Would America’s security commitment remain steadfast in the midst of seemingly unbridled North Korean threats? During a campaign rally in South Carolina on Saturday, Trump [...]

N. Korea Discusses Follow-up Measures to Improve Regional Economy

N. Korea Discusses Follow-up Measures to Improve Regional Economy

SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — North Korea’s provincial committees have discussed measures to carry out the national policy of developing regional economies, state media said Tuesday, amid worsening inequality in the North’s capital and rural areas. The respective committees held enlarged plenary meetings to discuss measures to “establish realistic goals corresponding to regional traits” [...]

U.S. Official Stresses Cooperation with S. Korea, Japan over N.K.-Russia Military Cooperation

U.S. Official Stresses Cooperation with S. Korea, Japan over N.K.-Russia Military Cooperation

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — A U.S. diplomat on Monday highlighted America’s commitment to working in tandem with South Korea and Japan to address growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which he said serves only to prolong Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Speaking at a forum, Robert Koepcke, deputy assistant secretary of state [...]

North Korea Celebrates Lunar New Year with Traditional Festivities and Emphasis on Socialist Customs

North Korea Celebrates Lunar New Year with Traditional Festivities and Emphasis on Socialist Customs

PYONGYANG, Feb. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – In North Korea, the Lunar New Year, a significant cultural holiday, is observed with traditional customs similar to those in South Korea, including the exchange of bows (sebae) and sharing rice cake soup (tteokguk) with family. However, the state promotes a distinct celebration of the holiday in line with [...]

U.S. Monitoring N.K. Nuke Test Possibility, Pursuing MDL Tension Reduction: Pentagon Official

U.S. Monitoring N.K. Nuke Test Possibility, Pursuing MDL Tension Reduction: Pentagon Official

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — The United States is monitoring the possibility of what would be North Korea’s seventh nuclear test, while working with South Korea to “effectively” manage tensions along the inter-Korean border, a senior Pentagon official has said. Vipin Narang, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, made the remarks [...]