Politics

Kim Yo Jong, right, helps Kim Jong Un sign a joint statement in Pyongyang in September 2018: North Korean leader's younger sister could be handed over power in the event of an emergency.
Opinion

Change of leadership in North Korea threatens economic trouble for all

If Kim Jong Un dies, US and China competition for influence will heat up

30 April 2020
The testing of a rocket launcher in North Korea, undated photo released on Mar. 28 by Korean Central News Agency: the nuclear deterrent has been portrayed as a symbol of national achievement.
Opinion

If Kim Jong Un dies, expect nuclear weapons provocation to ramp up

US should end cycle of blackmail by ignoring successor's saber-rattling

29 April 2020
The growing prominence of Kim Yo Jong, left, has led her to be seen as a likely candidate to succeed her brother Kim Jong Un, right, as leader of North Korea.
N Korea at crossroads

US steps up intelligence-gathering on Kim Jong Un's sister

Favorite of her late father, Kim Yo Jong seen wielding power beyond her titles

28 April 2020
With North Korea saying nothing about outside media reports that its leader Kim Jong Un may be unwell, there’s renewed worry about who’s next in line to run a nuclear-armed country that’s been ruled by the same family for seven decades. 
N Korea at crossroads

Train spotted at Kim Jong Un's resort compound in Wonsan

Satellite images show the carriage parked since at least Tuesday

26 April 2020
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guides a drill of mortar sub-units of North Korean Army in this image released on April 10. (KCNA via Reuters)
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea media silent on Kim whereabouts as speculation rages

Lack of news is 'unusual' says former diplomat who defected

23 April 2020
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is assisted by his sister Kim Yo Jong as he signs documents inside the Demilitarized Zone in April 2018.
22 April 2020
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un takes part in a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 11. 
N Korea at crossroads

South Korea plays down reports of Kim Jong Un's ill health

Japan is gathering information after CNN reported leader in serious condition

21 April 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that he recently received a "nice note" from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
International relations

North Korean foreign ministry denies letter sent to Trump -- KCNA

US president said he received a 'nice note' from Kim Jong Un

19 April 2020
North Korea exported coal through ship-to-ship transfers, the U.N. report said. (From the U.N. panel report)
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea sent 1,000 IT specialists across the world: UN report

Other sanctions violations include fully loaded Lexus SUVs with aero parts

18 April 2020
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his sister Kim Yo Jong attend an inter-Korean meeting at the Panmunjom border village in 2018.
N Korea at crossroads

Kim Jong Un's sister regains key post in leadership shake-up

Diplomats handling Russia and South Korea replace those negotiating with US

14 April 2020
Kim Jong Un is trying to maintain discipline in North Korea's 1.2 million-man military by treating it to displays of advanced missile technology. (KCNA/REUTERS)
Comment

Why Kim Jong Un rapid-fires missiles as world fights coronavirus

North Korean leader seeks to protect regime by showing military achievements

12 April 2020
Germany has conducted 2,023 tests per million people, 17 times more than Japan.
Coronavirus

Germany tests coronavirus 17-times more than Japan

At-hospital quarantine policy limits Tokyo's response to outbreak

2 April 2020
Then-White House Chief of Staff John Kelly follows President Donald Trump into the Oval Office in December 2018.
N Korea at crossroads

Kim will never give up weapons: former Trump aide John Kelly

Ex-chief of staff says engagement with North Korea is not working

14 February 2020
From left: U.S. President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Source photos by Reuters/AP)
Comment

US-Iran crisis spells opportunity for China and North Korea

Latest clash in Middle East again stalls America's military pivot to Asia

19 January 2020
Stream article image
Asia Insight

Asia's flashpoints: What could go wrong in 2020

Missiles, military clashes, defaults and political crises in the cards

31 December 2019
NHK's main studios in Tokyo: The Japanese public broadcaster appears to have inadvertently published a missile news flash written "for training purposes." (Photo by Kaisuke Ota)
N Korea at crossroads

North Korean 'Christmas missile' launch misreported by NHK

Midnight news flash was an error, Japanese broadcaster says 20 minutes later

27 December 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after a video teleconference with members of the military at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
N Korea at crossroads

Trump ready to 'deal' with North Korea's Christmas surprise

More signs point to preparations for possible ICBM launch

25 December 2019
Can Abe and Moon pursue a dialogue to reach a new normal?
Opinion

2020 look ahead: Japan-South Korea hostilities risk security disaster

Fractious partners need to recognize North Korea is real and imminent threat

24 December 2019
South Korean President Moon Jae-In and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Monday in Beijing.
N Korea at crossroads

Moon and Xi agree to cooperate as North Korea 'deadline' looms

South Korean leader is in Beijing before three-way summit with China and Japan

23 December 2019
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Saturday night after speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Masayuki Terazawa)
N Korea at crossroads

Trump and Abe hold 'thorough' talks on North Korea

Phone call comes after special envoy fails to access Pyongyang

22 December 2019
Kim Jong Un supervises a strike drill on May 4: the North Korean leader dialed up the pressure another notch.
Opinion

North Korea holds most of the cards in nuclear negotiations with US

Kim Jong Un wants to keep weapons and face down sanctions

18 December 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump, right, talks as Vice President Mike Pence looks on at a deregulation roundtable in the White House on Dec. 16.
N Korea at crossroads

Trump says US is keeping eye on North Korea

Special envoy awaits contact with Pyongyang

17 December 2019
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, right, shakes hands with Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha during the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan, South Korea on Nov. 25.
Comment

How ASEAN can gain from South Korea relations -- and Kim Jong Un

10-nation bloc should use Seoul's pivot south to bolster its diplomatic prowess

15 December 2019
Members of the Aomori Coast Guard Office's Mobile Surveillance Unit record the number of a wooden boat that washed ashore in Tsugaru, Aomori Prefecture. (Photo by Kai Fujii)
Politics

Japan Coast Guard launches unit to handle North Korean 'ghost ships'

Derelict fishing boats wash up on northern shores when weather turns rough

7 December 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, standing closest to rocket launcher, "Rocket Man" on Dec. 3.
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea dusts off 'dotard' after Trump reignites 'Rocket Man'

Ballistic insults fly again as diplomat rips US for disrespecting Kim

6 December 2019