RT Reporter Gets Exclusive Access to Kim Jong-un’s Residence in North Korea

Amid continuing uncertainty over a US-North Korea peace summit later this month, Russia's Foreign Minister met with the leader of North Korea in person on Thursday.

RT's correspondent Ilya Petrenko has been following this meeting - and was granted EXCLUSIVE access to one of Kim Jong-Un's residences.

What Next for North Korea? | Inside Story

Donald Trump called off much-awaited talks with Jong-un scheduled for next month in Singapore. North Korea said Trump's decision was 'extremely regrettable', a sentiment echoed worldwide, as a missed opportunity for peace.

The US President called it a 'sad moment of history'. He blamed Pyongyang's anger and open hostility for the cancellation. But both aren't ruling out a change of mind sometime in the future. The North's Vice Foreign Minister said that they are willing to meet any time to resolve any issues. So what happens to the North's nuclear weapons now?

Presenter: Elizabeth Puranam | Guests: Mintaro Oba - Former US State Department diplomat specialising in North Korea; Ra Mson - Lecturer in International Relations and Japanese Foreign Policy, University of East Anglia; Se-Woong Ko - Dormer Korean Studies Lecturer, Yale University

North Korea's Foreign Minister Says Trump ‘Declared War’

North Korea's foreign minister has accused US President Donald Trump of declaring war on North Korea, in reference to Trump's tweet about Kim Jong-un "not being around for much longer". He also said that under the UN charter, Pyongyang has the right to take countermeasures, including shooting down US bombers, even if they are not in its airspace. Al Jazeera's James Bays reports from New York.

North Korea Crisis: Pyongyang May Be Preparing New Missile Launch, South Korea Says

Why Is the US Threatening War with North Korea Instead of Pushing for Negotiations?

The war of words between the U.S. and North Korea continues to intensify, with North Korea threatening to strike the U.S. territory of Guam, while Defense Secretary General Mattis warned North Korea’s actions could result in the "destruction of its people." This came after Trump vowed to strike at North Korea with "fire and fury." Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council recently imposed a new round of sanctions against North Korea over its test launches of two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month. We speak with journalist Tim Shorrock, who recently returned from South Korea.

Deadly Game: Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un Risk Nuclear War

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: With prospects growing that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un could soon have long-range nuclear missiles at his disposal, Donald Trump is threatening a military response. Suddenly nuclear war seems possible, but how great is the threat of escalation?

Rehearsals for the apocalypse have long been underway. Every two months, always in the early afternoon, the sirens begin wailing in Seoul. Cars and buses come to a halt, civil defense officials take up their positions at busy intersections and volunteers wearing yellow armbands guide pedestrians into the nearest shelter, of which there are hundreds in the South Korean capital.

The army, too, is prepared. Highways between Seoul and the border at the 38th parallel are lined with watchtowers and every few kilometers, heavy, concrete barriers hang above the road. Should war break out, explosive charges would drop the barriers onto the roadway, blocking the way to attackers. Beaches on the coast are likewise outfitted with tank traps and barbed wire -- all in an effort to protect the southern half of the Korean Peninsula from the poor yet heavily armed north. » | Mathieu von Rohr, Christoph Scheuermann, Wieland Wagner and Bernhard Zand | Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Was Another US Citizen Arrested in North Korea?

Tensions remain extremely high between US and North Korea. A South Korean news agency reported that a US citizen was arrested in Pyongyang on Friday, but the North denies the claim. Meanwhile, the USS Carl Vinson is still en route to North Korea, a move which North Korea decries as “an extremely dangerous act by those who plan nuclear war.” RT America’s Alexey Yaroshevsky has the story.

Trump's Best Enemy? North Korea in Washington's Crosshairs (Parts 1 & 2)

North Korea Warns Australia of Possible Nuclear Strike If It 'Blindly Toes US Line'

THE GUARDIAN: Foreign ministry spokesman quoted as saying Julie Bishop’s comments can never be pardoned and Pyongyang is acting only in self-defence

North Korea has bluntly warned Australia of a possible nuclear strike if Canberra persists in “blindly and zealously toeing the US line”.

North Korea’s state new agency (KCNA) quoted a foreign ministry spokesman castigating Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, after she said the rogue nation would be subject to further Australian sanctions and for “spouting a string of rubbish against the DPRK over its entirely just steps for self-defence”.

“If Australia persists in following the US moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK and remains a shock brigade of the US master, this will be a suicidal act of coming within the range of the nuclear strike of the strategic force of the DPRK,” the report said.

“The Australian foreign minister had better think twice about the consequences to be entailed by her reckless tongue-lashing before flattering the US.” » | Australian Associated Press | Sunday, April 23, 2017

North Korea 'Will Test Missiles Weekly' Senior Official Tells BBC News

North Korea will continue to test missiles, a senior official has told the BBC in Pyongyang, despite international condemnation and growing military tensions with the US. "We'll be conducting more missile tests on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis," Vice Foreign Minister Han Song-Ryol told the BBC's John Sudworth. He said that an "all-out war" would result if the US took military action.

The Interview: Official Trailer

US Condemns North Korea's Obama 'Monkey' Jibes

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pyongyang's description of US leader as 'crossbreed' and 'wicked black monkey' dismissed as 'ugly and disrespectful' by White House

The United States has condemned descriptions in North Korean state media of President Barack Obama as a "crossbreed" and a "wicked black monkey".

A spokeswoman in Washington DC said the comments were "ugly and disrespectful".

The Korea Central News Agency had released stories that graphically described the US leader as a "monkey" in comments by North Koreans in the days after he paid a state visit to South Korea.

"How Obama looks makes me disgusted," said Kang Hyuk, a worker at the Chollima Ironworks Factory, in a translation by the NK News website.

"As I watch him more closely, I realise that he looks like an African native monkey with a black face, gaunt grey eyes, cavate [sic] nostrils, plump mouth and hairy, rough ears.

"He acts like a monkey with a red bum, irrationally eating everything," Mr Kang added. "Africa's national zoo will be the perfect place for Obama to live, licking breadcrumbs thrown by visitors." » | Julian Ryall in Tokyo | Friday, May 09, 2014

South Korea Warns That Purge in Pyongyang Points to a Reign of Terror

Park Geun-hye, President of South Korea

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: China and South Korea raise concerns over stability of North Korea regime after Kim Jong-un purges uncle

China and South Korea on Tuesday raised concerns over the stability of Kim Jong-un's North Korean regime following the extraordinary public purge of the leader's uncle and second-in-command.

Park Geun-hye, the South Korean president, said the public removal of Jang Song-thaek, Mr Kim's uncle and mentor, was part of a "reign of terror" in North Korea that could further inflame tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

China's foreign ministry emphasised its hope that North Korea "can maintain national stability", as state-run media called for Mr Kim to be invited on a diplomatic trip to Beijing as soon as possible.

"China should help bring about Kim Jong-un's visit to China as soon as possible, which will benefit the North's long term stability and bilateral friendly ties," the Global Times said in an editorial.

The 67-year-old Mr Jang, until recently considered the second most powerful figure in Pyongyang, was regarded as a friend by China, and supported Chinese-style economic reforms. » | Julian Ryall, in Tokyo and Hannah Strange | Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Kim Jong-un 'Preparing to Purge Aunt'

Kim Kyong-hui, Kim Jong-il's younger sister

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Reports in South Korea suggest that Kim Kyong-hui could be the next victim of the North Korean leader's purge of the old guard

The ailing aunt of Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, may be the next senior member of the regime to fall victim to the blood letting that is gripping Pyongyang's "old guard".

Reports in South Korea suggest that Kim is lining up his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong to step into the supporting role that is presently played by Kim Kyong-hui, who is rumoured to be battling cancer, alcoholism and depression linked to the suicide of her daughter in Europe in 2006.

Kim Kyong-hui, 65, is the estranged wife of Jang Song-thaek, who was ousted from his post as the vice chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission earlier this month and has not been seen since.

Two colleagues who were reportedly found guilty of corruption and activities that ran counter to the policies of the Workers' Party of Korea were executed in public. » | Julian Ryall, Tokyo | Friday, December 06, 2013

North Korea: Foreigners Should Evacuate South Korea

BBC: North Korea has warned foreigners in South Korea to take evacuation measures in case of war.

This comes amid growing concern that the North may be about to launch a missile test.

Pyongyang has been making bellicose threats against South Korea, Japan and US bases in the region.

Japan has deployed defensive anti-missile batteries at three locations in Tokyo, to protect the capital's 30 million residents.

US-made Patriot anti-missile systems have been deployed at the defence ministry and at two other military bases.

"The government is making utmost efforts to protect our people's lives and ensure their safety," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

"As North Korea keeps making provocative comments, Japan, co-operating with relevant countries, will do what we have to do," he added. » | Tuesday, April 09, 2013

South Korea 'Deploys Warships to Track North Missiles'
BBC: South Korea has deployed two warships with missile-defence systems in response to North Korea moving missiles to its east coast.

The dispute over its nuclear weapons programme has seen Pyongyang ramp up its rhetoric and make specific threats to target US territory.

Lucy Williamson reports from Seoul. Watch BBC video » | Friday, April 05, 2013

US Moves Missile Defences to Pacific after North Korea Nuclear Threat
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The US was last night preparing to send advanced missile defences to its Pacific territory, as North Korea further ratcheted up its bellicose rhetoric by approving "merciless" nuclear strikes on America.


Pledging a "measured" response to Pyongyang's aggression, Chuck Hagel, the US defence secretary, deployed anti-missile systems to Guam, the tiny western Pacific island and American military outpost.

"Some of the actions they've taken over the last few weeks present a real and clear danger," Mr Hagel said of North Korea, in remarks delivered at the National Defense University in Washington.

The $800m Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, which was slated to be installed in 2015, will now be sent within weeks, following warnings that Guam, Hawaii or the US west coast could be hit.

The land-based system, which comprises interceptor missiles, a truck-based launcher and radar tracking equipment, is capable of shooting down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

It will join two US guided-missile destroyers that have already taken position in the region to assist with defence against potential strikes ordered by Pyongyang. » | Jon Swaine in Washington and Malcolm Moore in Beijing | Wednesday, April 03, 2013

North Korea: US Sends Missile Defence System to Guam
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Pentagon is sending an advanced ballistic missile defense system to Guam, as Chuck Hagel, the defence secretary, warned of a "real and clear" danger from North Korea.

The Pentagon announcement came hours after China intervened in the deepening crisis by summoning the ambassadors of North and South Korea, as well as the United States, to warn tensions must be defused on the Korean peninsula.

North Korea has singled out US military bases in Guam, an American. territory in the Pacific, and Hawaii among its potential targets in threats in recent weeks that have put the Korean peninsula on edge.

“Some of the actions they’ve taken over the last few weeks, present a real and clear danger,” Mr Hagel told an audience at the National Defense University in Washington.

He said those actions had threatened the interests of South Korea and Japan, but he also cited their direct threats against Guam, Hawaii and West Coast of the United States. » | Malcolm Moore, Beijing, and Reuters in Washington | Wednesday, April 03, 2013

North Koreans Stage Mass Rally in Support of Kim Jong-un’s Call to Arms
Thousands of North Koreans turned out on Friday for a mass rally in the main square of the capital Pyongyang to show support for their leader's call to arms.

Read the short article here | Source: APTN | Friday, March 29, 2013
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: North Korea puts rockets on standby to attack US bases: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last night ordered the country's rocket units to be on standby to attack US military targets in response to Washington's announcement that it had flown B2 stealth bomber "deterrence" missions over South Korea. » | Barney Henderson | Thursday, March 28, 2013

Basketball Star Dennis Rodman: Kim Jong-un Is 'Awesome'
Before he left Pyongyang, former US basketball star Dennis Rodman heaped praise on the North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and called him "really awesome."