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S. Korea condemns N. Korea's missile launch, urges it to cease provocations
The presidential Office of National Security on Tuesday condemned North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and urged Pyongyang to immediately cease provocations. The office convened an emergency security meeting with military officials shortly after North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea. "North Korea's ballistic missile launch is a provocative act that violates UN Security Council resolutions," the off
Jan. 27, 2026 -
N. Korea fires missiles after US defense official’s visit to S. Korea
North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Tuesday afternoon, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said, marking its first such launch in 23 days. In a statement, the JCS said the South Korean military detected “several unidentified ballistic missiles” launched from areas north of Pyongyang toward the East Sea at around 3:50 p.m. In a follow-up notice, the JCS said the missiles were assessed to be short-range ballistic missiles and were found to have flown a
Jan. 27, 2026 -
North Korea launches missiles into East Sea: JCS
North Korea launched multiple unidentified projectiles into the East Sea Tuesday afternoon, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Military authorities did not immediately disclose further details, including the type or range of the projectiles. The launch marked the second such firing since Jan. 4, when North Korea launched several missiles toward the Sea of Japan. Those missiles flew more than 900 kilometers, a move widely seen as a protest against South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s vis
Jan. 27, 2026 -
Kim Jong-un shifts toward fear-based leadership: report
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to be placing greater emphasis on fear as a tool of governance, delivering on-the-spot disciplinary measures during site visits, according to a state-backed think tank report Tuesday. A report by the Korea Institute for National Unification said Kim appears to have shifted his focus from appearing benevolent in on-site inspections, choosing instead to issue immediate punishment for policy failures — a move widely seen as reaffirming the hierarchy of power.
Jan. 27, 2026 -
Alliance burden shift signaled in new US defense strategy amid Colby’s visit: experts
Washington’s newly released National Defense Strategy signals a recalibration of alliance roles on the Korean Peninsula, experts say, as senior US defense policymaker Elbridge Colby met with South Korean high-ranking security officials in Seoul on Monday. Colby, a principal architect of the latest US National Defense Strategy, has been in South Korea since Sunday on a three-day visit, during which Seoul and Washington discussed alliance priorities and deterrence on the peninsula. The Donald Trum
Jan. 26, 2026 -
N. Korea's Kim inspects sculptures, artwork honoring soldiers killed in Ukraine war
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected sculptures and artwork being created for a memorial museum commemorating the country's soldiers killed in Russia's war against Ukraine, saying they will convey the soldiers' "legendary feats and glorious life." Kim visited the Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang the previous day and inspected a number of sculptures and artwork that will be erected at the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations, including a tower and decorativ
Jan. 26, 2026 -
Lee vows efforts to restart US–North Korea talks 'as early as possible' at New Year's press conference
President Lee Jae Myung reiterated his commitment to resuming dialogue between the US and North Korea “as early as possible” and to creating conditions for the reopening of inter-Korean talks, during his New Year’s press conference on Wednesday. The event marked Lee’s first official press conference since the presidential office was relocated back to Cheong Wa Dae in late December last year. As part of his policy vision for 2026, Lee stressed that “stable growth supported by peace” was essential
Jan. 21, 2026 -
North's Kim Jong-un inspects hot springs
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended a ceremony inaugurating a hot spring resort in the country's northeastern province, praising it as becoming a "wonderful" holiday camp for the people after years of remodeling, state media reported Wednesday. The ceremony to open the Onpho Working People's Holiday Camp took place the previous day, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The Onpho holiday camp, located in North Hamgyong Province, is North Korea's largest hot spring resort. In July
Jan. 21, 2026 -
Lee orders probe, punishment over unauthorized drone flight into N. Korea
President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for a thorough investigation and "stern punishment" over an unauthorized drone flight into North Korea, likening it to “firing shots into North Korean territory.” Lee’s remarks came as a civilian suspect was questioned by a joint military-police task force, launched last week to investigate North Korea’s claim of intrusion by a South Korean drone. The military has said the drone was not a South Korean military asset. Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at C
Jan. 20, 2026 -
Kim Jong-un sacks vice premier 'on the spot' during factory inspection
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sacked a vice premier of the North's cabinet over the official's irresponsibility in modernizing a machinery plant, state media reported Tuesday, in a rare public dismissal ahead of a key party congress. Kim dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho "on the spot" at an inauguration ceremony of the first-stage modernization project at the Ryongsong Machine Complex on Monday, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim said the project "encountered
Jan. 20, 2026 -
Politics should not dictate scale of South Korea-US joint drills: think tank
South Korea-US military drills should not be affected by political judgment or public sentiment, a think-tank said Monday, even as the Lee Jae Myung administration continues efforts to engage North Korea. The state-affiliated Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said in a report released Monday that politicizing joint exercises could heighten security uncertainty in Northeast Asia and weaken alliance cohesion, particularly amid an evolving threat environment and ongoing discussions over the tra
Jan. 19, 2026 -
N. Korea calls S. Korea 'No. 1 hostile country' at indoctrination center
A major indoctrination facility in North Korea displayed banners calling South Korea the "No. 1 hostile country" and inciting public animosity against Seoul, photos released by the North's media showed Monday. The state-run Korean Central News Agency published the photos while reporting on North Koreans touring the Central Class Education House in Pyongyang as part of celebrations marking the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League, the country's largest youth organizat
Jan. 19, 2026 -
Former Yoon staffers linked to alleged NK drone intrusion
Two civilians suspected of involvement in sending a drone into North Korea have been found to have previously worked at the presidential office under the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration. According to local reports, a suspect believed to have made the drone, whom the police identified only as being in his 30s, previously served as a news monitoring staffer at the presidential spokesperson’s office. He is believed to have worked at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu at a similar time to ano
Jan. 18, 2026 -
'Civilian' faces probes over drone incursion alleged by North
A joint military-police team said Friday that it is investigating a "civilian" over a recent drone incursion alleged by North Korea. North Korea claimed early this month that South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September last year and on Jan. 4, with the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un demanding Seoul admit and apologize for the incident. South Korea's military has denied such claims, saying the drones in question were not models operated by the military. The
Jan. 16, 2026 -
South Korea to streamline procedures for entry of North Korean food products
South Korea is moving to streamline procedures for bringing in North Korean food products, as part of broader efforts to ease a prolonged gridlock in relations with the North through incremental inter-Korean exchanges. The Ministry of Unification said Friday it had issued a legislative notice for a revision to the Enforcement Decree of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act, aimed at simplifying approval procedures for the entry of such goods. Under the proposed revision, documents that w
Jan. 16, 2026