Politics

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 10.
N Korea at crossroads

Xi set to pull Kim Jong Un out of his shell

US-China trade war prompts surprising early summit in North Korea

19 June 2019
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to have used the failed Hanoi summit with the U.S. to tighten his already strong grip on the country.
N Korea at crossroads

How Kim's ultra-dictatorship fuels rumors of North Korean purge

Government reshuffle comes as US negotiations and economy remain stalled

18 June 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping who met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing on January 10, will make a state visit to North Korea on Thursday.
N Korea at crossroads

Xi to make first North Korea visit ahead of G-20

First trip by China's leader in 14 years intended to show support for Pyongyang

18 June 2019
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump broke the diplomatic ice in Singapore on June 12, 2018.
N Korea at crossroads

Trump and Kim neglect nuclear deal a year after historic summit

Looming 2020 election distracts president while North Korea focuses on economy

12 June 2019
Kim Yo Jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, left, visits Panmumjom on June 12. (Photo courtesy of Unification Ministry of South Korea)
N Korea at crossroads

Kim Jong Un sends flowers to South Korea to mourn former first lady

North Korean leader's sister hands bouquet and letter over at border

12 June 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet at the Capella Hotel in Singapore on June 12, 2018. Subsequent talks between the leaders in Hanoi earlier this year broke down.
N Korea at crossroads

Cold War patience seen as key to ending US-North Korea deadlock

South Korea's Moon to make Oslo speech on Trump-Kim summit anniversary

12 June 2019
Women clad in traditional Korean clothes talk on smartphones in Pyongyang on April 15.
N Korea at crossroads

North Koreans tap into smartphone apps on restricted state network

Isolated nation has its own version of Netflix on its domestic-made devices

6 June 2019
North Korea's missile program appears to have received a big boost from Russia. (Reuters)
Comment

North Korea threat shows Russia's role behind missile program

Moscow and Beijing will gain ground if US military allows itself to be distracted

3 June 2019
Japan wants to make sure that cryptocurrency exchange operators are safeguarding against illicit transactions.
Cryptocurrencies

Japan eyes cryptocurrencies as it toughens money laundering laws

G-20 expected to discuss international regulations for digital currencies

22 May 2019
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, China's next ambassador to Japan, answered questions from reporters Friday in fluent Japanese.
Interview

China's new Tokyo envoy stresses shared responsibility on trade

Japan hand Kong urges Belt and Road cooperation and supports Abe-Kim meeting

11 May 2019
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un supervises missile launches in this photo supplied by the Korean Central News Agency.
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea ballistic missiles deliver blow to Trump and Moon

Kim Jong Un has little intention of abandoning nuclear arms, analysts say

11 May 2019
This photo supplied by the North's Korean Central News Agency appears to show one of the latest missile launches.
N Korea at crossroads

US confirms North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles

Apparent violation of Security Council terms threatens denuclearization talks

10 May 2019
The North Korean cargo ship Wise Honest was used to transport coal in violation of international sanctions, U.S. officials say.
N Korea at crossroads

North Korean ship seized by US as provocations escalate

Pyongyang's second missile test in a week sought to draw out sanctions relief

10 May 2019
North Korea's firing of short-range missiles and multiple rocket launcher projectiles reinforced deep pessimism.
Opinion

Still hope for a North Korean nuclear deal

Greater engagement by China, Russia and Japan improves prospects despite missile tests

10 May 2019
Moon Jae-in is at risk of becoming a lame duck for the final three years of his presidency.
Politics

South Korea's Moon cornered by economic woes and rockets

President's early approval rating of more than 80% has fallen by almost half

9 May 2019
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, may be able to capitalize on North Korea's diplomatic impasse with the U.S.
N Korea at crossroads

Following US lead, Abe offers no-strings summit with Kim

Japanese leader drops demands on abduction issue after talks with Trump

8 May 2019
North Korean military conducts a "strike drill" for multiple launchers and tactical guided weapon in this May 4 photo supplied by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA/Reuters)
N Korea at crossroads

North Korean 'projectile' launch sends message to Trump

US president says deal with Kim 'will happen' as sanctions pressure mounts on Pyongyang  

5 May 2019
North Korea has reportedly reactivated parts of its missile program since the second summit between leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in February.
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea fires short-range 'projectiles'

Launch raises pressure on Trump after failed nuclear talks

4 May 2019
As U.S. national security adviser, H.R. McMaster was central to the Trump administration's policy shift against China.
International relations

China threat requires coordinated US-Japan response: McMaster

Trump ex-adviser warns Beijing bent on achieving Indo-Pacific supremacy

4 May 2019
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchange ceremonial swords as gifts Thursday after their summit in Vladivostok.
N Korea at crossroads

Kim and Putin play power games behind show of warmth

Leaders join hands to counter US but send differing signals on denuclearization

27 April 2019
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 25.
N Korea at crossroads

Putin backs North Korea on phased denuclearization

Kim enlists support of regional powers to bargain with US

26 April 2019
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un greet each other before their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 25.
N Korea at crossroads

Kim and Putin discuss denuclearization in first summit

North Korean leader cozies up to Russian president, looking for sanctions relief

25 April 2019
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a welcome ceremony as he arrives at the railway station in Vladivostok on Wednesday.
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea's Kim in Vladisvostok for summit with Putin

Pyongyang hopes Russia will help pressure Trump to break nuclear impasse

24 April 2019
Japan no longer describes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's weapons programs as a "grave and imminent threat."
International relations

Japan drops call to 'maximize pressure' on North Korea

Tokyo softens tone in diplomatic report as it seeks dialogue on abductions

23 April 2019
The upcoming summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin may give Moscow its long-awaited chance to participate in denuclearization talks.
Comment

Kim uses Putin as leverage for denuclearization talks with US

Moscow's involvement throws curve ball for this week's summit

22 April 2019