Latest news with #denuclearisation
Reuters
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
North Korea slams Quad for calling it to denuclearise, KCNA says
SEOUL, July 4 (Reuters) - North Korea slammed on Friday the Quad grouping of the United States, India, Japan and Australia for insisting North Korea denuclearise, according to its state media KCNA. North Korea also said the U.S. fabricated a "cyber threat" from North Korea, citing its Foreign Ministry spokesperson. The U.S. Department of Justice announced last month an arrest and indictments targeting North Korea's so-called "IT worker" program, in which North Koreans obtain remote IT-related positions at U.S. companies, and use that access to steal money and information from a host of companies around the world.
South China Morning Post
19-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
How Israel-Iran conflict hardens North Korea's nuclear resolve
As missiles fly in the Middle East and the world's attention fixes on Israel vs Iran , the shock waves are being felt in Pyongyang – where North Korea 's leaders, ever watchful, see yet another reason to cling to their nuclear arsenal. Advertisement While views differ on precisely how Pyongyang is reading the escalating conflict, observers are united on one point: if there is ever to be a chance of drawing North Korea back to the table for denuclearisation talks, the diplomatic door must remain ajar. Since Israel launched its military campaign against Iran on June 13 , hardliners in the US Congress, Israeli officials and exiled Iranian dissidents have ramped up calls to topple Tehran's clerical leadership, arguing for the exploitation of internal unrest to unseat Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 's regime. But in Pyongyang, observers say the lesson is viewed through a singular prism: survival. 'North Korea has always pointed to the fate of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq's Saddam Hussein as justification for never giving up its nuclear weapons,' said Koh Yu-hwan, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University. It has learned a lesson; if you want to hold on to power, you never give up your nuclear weapons Koh Yu-hwan, professor of North Korean studies 'It has learned a lesson; if you want to hold on to power, you never give up your nuclear weapons,' he warned.
South China Morning Post
19-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
How Middle East conflict hardens North Korea's nuclear resolve
As missiles fly in the Middle East and the world's attention fixes on Israel vs Iran , the shock waves are being felt in Pyongyang – where North Korea 's leaders, ever watchful, see yet another reason to cling to their nuclear arsenal. While views differ on precisely how Pyongyang is reading the escalating conflict, observers are united on one point: if there is ever to be a chance of drawing North Korea back to the table for denuclearisation talks, the diplomatic door must remain ajar. Since Israel launched its military campaign against Iran on June 13 , hardliners in the US Congress, Israeli officials and exiled Iranian dissidents have ramped up calls to topple Tehran's clerical leadership, arguing for the exploitation of internal unrest to unseat Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 's regime. But in Pyongyang, observers say the lesson is viewed through a singular prism: survival. 'North Korea has always pointed to the fate of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq's Saddam Hussein as justification for never giving up its nuclear weapons,' said Koh Yu-hwan, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University. It has learned a lesson; if you want to hold on to power, you never give up your nuclear weapons Koh Yu-hwan, professor of North Korean studies 'It has learned a lesson; if you want to hold on to power, you never give up your nuclear weapons,' he warned.
South China Morning Post
15-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Lee Jae-myung turns to China to ease North Korea tensions, but will Beijing take sides?
Newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has signalled a desire to ease tensions with North Korea, halting propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts along the border, and he has turned to China for support. Advertisement In a 30-minute phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, six days after taking office, Lee urged China to play a 'constructive role' in the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. Xi responded that China would make efforts to resolve the issue, saying that peace and stability on the peninsula were in the common interest of both countries, according to South Korean presidential spokeswoman Kang Yu-jung. However, that part of the phone conversation and the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula were omitted in a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry. Analysts said the omission reflected China's consistent stance in favour of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula while refraining from putting public pressure on North Korea. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
28-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why South Korea's next leader should revive 6-party nuclear talks
South Korea is heading to a presidential election on June 3, triggered by the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol after his bungled attempt at martial law. Lee Jae-myung , leader of the opposition Democratic Party, is a clear front-runner. With the formation of a Lee administration in South Korea looking likely, the United States would have a rare opportunity to explore North Korea's denuclearisation. Advertisement US President Donald Trump has boasted of his close connection to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with whom he had summit meetings during his first term. Trump might want to prove himself as a peacemaker and great statesman by resolving the denuclearisation issue. Indeed, Trump has indicated his willingness to meet Kim again: in January, days into his second administration, and again in February and March. At the same time, South Korea's Lee is widely expected to pursue a friendlier policy towards North Korea – and China – than former president Yoon. This would create a favourable environment for denuclearisation. During the previous Biden administration in the US, Yoon failed to forge a balanced and viable strategy to engage with North Korea. There is a high probability that a Trump-Lee duo could do better on North Korea. Given Lee's attitude towards China, his government could be positive for the international landscape. China wants to see peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and to foster economic prosperity across Northeast Asia. More specifically, it needs North Korea as a buffer zone against the US and its allies. That is why North Korea's survival and peace on the Korean Peninsula are important to it. Advertisement
