By Jeongmin Kim and Yijin KimSEOUL (Reuters) - Speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will soon visit Seoul for the first time has sparked debate in South Korea over how to allow citizens to express often strongly held views while preventing any international incidents.gi To pull off the summit he wants – full of inspiring imagery of Korean unity and reconciliation - President Moon Jae-in needs to walk a fine line between providing sufficient security for Kim and being accused of stifling speech to appease a dictator. Unlike tightly controlled Singapore, where Kim took a surprise night time stroll before his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in June, Seoul is routinely roiled by protests.Many South Koreans still take a dim view of North Korea in the wake of their 1950-53 war and decades of hostility, making the risk of disruptions to the visit high.A summit in Seoul now appears unlikely this year, but small yet vocal groups of conservative protesters who routinely … [Read more...] about Security, free speech in focus as Seoul braces for possible visit from North Korea’s Kim
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North Korea Slow to Negotiate Over US War Remains, Pentagon Says
Months after the White House raised hopes for bringing home thousands of U.S. battlefield remains from North Korea, the returns have stalled. Detailed negotiations on future recovery arrangements have not even begun. The slower pace appears linked to the more talked-about stalemate over North Korea's nuclear weapons . At a June meeting with President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un committed to "work toward" the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and to cooperate in recovering U.S. war remains. Neither issue is said to be explicitly dependent on the other, and in August, the North turned over 55 boxes of remains, with expectations of more to come soon. But progress then slowed, as has the nuclear diplomacy. Trump has said he likely will have a second summit with Kim in January or February, and while the nuclear issue would be the central focus, some believe a second meeting is the best chance to restore momentum to the remains recovery effort. … [Read more...] about North Korea Slow to Negotiate Over US War Remains, Pentagon Says
Kim Jong Un’s Step-Grandmother, North Korea’s Former First Lady Reportedly Dead
Dec 12, 5:10 AM EST Newsletter Signup BusinessTechnologyWorldNationalMedia & CultureOpinionSportsLuxury World By Pritha Paul @ZiggyZina143 12/12/18 AT 4:40 AM Kim Song Ae, the former first lady of North Korea and the second wife of the nation’s founder, Kim Il Sung, has reportedly died, a source told Yonhap News on Wednesday.When the media asked about Song Ae’s death, South Korea's unification ministry said there have been “related signs” but refused to reveal when or how she might have died.“We will share more information when it is confirmed in detail," Baik Tae-hyun, a ministry spokesperson, told reporters during a regular briefing.Song Ae served as the chair of the Korean Democratic Women’s Union (KDWU) and member of the central committee of Korean Workers Party (CC KWP) and Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA). She was considered one of the main political rivals of current North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s father and … [Read more...] about Kim Jong Un’s Step-Grandmother, North Korea’s Former First Lady Reportedly Dead
Kim Jong Un’s Statue In North Korea? Pyongyang To Build Monuments Of North Korean Leader, Father Kim Jong Il, Grandfather Kim Il Sung
Dec 12, 5:09 AM EST Newsletter Signup BusinessTechnologyWorldNationalMedia & CultureOpinionSportsLuxury World By Vishakha Sonawane @VishakhaNS 01/13/17 AT 1:54 AM North Korea is planning to construct monuments dedicated to its leader Kim Jong Un, his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung, according to reports Wednesday. While the isolated nation has several statues of Kim’s father and grandfather, this would be the first time when the leader will have a structure dedicated to him.The monuments will be constructed at the historically significant Mt. Paektu by an organization called the International Preparatory Committee for Gathering 2017-Praise to the Great Persons of Mt. Paektu, according to NK News.“This is, indeed, the first announcement of this kind, and it might indicate that the personality cult of Kim Jong Un is beginning to take shape, even though, frequently, it appears that the young leader pays less attention to such matters than his father … [Read more...] about Kim Jong Un’s Statue In North Korea? Pyongyang To Build Monuments Of North Korean Leader, Father Kim Jong Il, Grandfather Kim Il Sung
North Korea Gearing Up For Musudan Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Launch After Failed Attempt On Kim Il-Sung’s Birthday: Report
Dec 12, 5:09 AM EST Newsletter Signup BusinessTechnologyWorldNationalMedia & CultureOpinionSportsLuxury World By Vishakha Sonawane @VishakhaNS 04/26/16 AT 1:03 AM North Korea is preparing for a test-launch of another intermediate-range ballistic missile, indications show, Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday, citing sources. World powers have condemned the South Korean rival over its series of missile and nuclear activities — most recently the test-firing of a submarine launched ballistic missile Saturday.Earlier this month, a test-launch of Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile, also known as BM-25, failed on the birthday of the country's revered founding leader Kim Il-sung. The country is also reported to have deployed one more intermediate-range ballistic missile on its east coast.“Signs have been detected that North Korea is trying to launch another Musudan missile after their failed launch that took place earlier on the birthday of Kim … [Read more...] about North Korea Gearing Up For Musudan Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Launch After Failed Attempt On Kim Il-Sung’s Birthday: Report