S.Korea + N.Korea
North Korea and South Korea restore communications on Armistice Day anniversary
South and North Korea have restored their once-severed hotlines as part of efforts by the two countries' leaders to rebuild strained ties, says Seoul's presidential Blue House. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have exchanged multiple letters since April and a
NKoreans heartbroken over Kim’s ‘emaciated looks’
Heartbroken North Koreans have been worrying tearfully about leader Kim Jong Un’s “emaciated looks,” state media quoted a local resident as saying, in a rare acknowledgement of foreign speculation about his weight loss.The comments were seen as an effort to boost domestic support
South Korea to get 1M J&J vaccines from US this week
South Korea's Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on Sunday that 1 million doses of Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) vaccines will arrive this week, including for 550,000 soldiers, after the US almost doubled its earlier pledge. US President Joe Biden, at his first summit with President Moon Jae-in
South Korea to resume wider use of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, exclude people under 30
SEOUL: South Korean authorities said on Sunday they will move ahead with a coronavirus vaccination drive this week, after deciding to continue using AstraZeneca PLC’s vaccine for all eligible people 30 years old or over.South Korea on Wednesday suspended providing the AstraZeneca shot to peo
South Korea weighs more coronavirus curbs as daily infections surge
South Korea reported 700 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, its highest daily tally since early January, and the prime minister reiterated warnings that new social distancing rules would likely be needed.The new figure compares with an average of 477 cases a day last week, according to data from t
S.Korea says up to medical personnel to extract extra doses of COVID vaccine from vial
SEOUL: A decision by South Korean health authorities to allow more doses to be extracted from coronavirus vaccine vials sparked controversy on Tuesday as the country ramped up its vaccinations of health care workers and the elderly.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) had allowed
UN World Food Programme warns could suspend work in North Korea
Strict coronavirus restrictions imposed by North Korea could force the World Food Programme to suspend operations in the country, where chronic malnutrition is rife, a report on the UN organization’s website said Tuesday.The impoverished country – which is under international sanctions
North Korea made attempts to steal COVID-19 vaccine technology from Pfizer: Yonhap citing NIS
North Korea has made attempts to steal COVID-19 vaccine technology by hacking Pfizer Inc, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday citing the National Intelligence Service.
Kim blames everyone but himself for North Korea’s economic failures
South Korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ripped into the performance of his Cabinet and fired a senior economic official he appointed a month ago, saying they’d failed to come up with new ideas to salvage an economy in decay.The report by state media on Friday comes during the toughest p
South Korea seeks to reassure aging residents after raising COVID-19 vaccine questions
SEOUL: With one of the fastest aging populations in the world, South Korea has sought to reassure elderly residents as it said it would push ahead with AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine but is still examining its efficacy for people older than 65.A panel of South Korean advisers has urged cauti
North Korea shows off new submarine-launched missiles after rare party congress
North Korea displayed what appeared to be a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) at a parade on Thursday night, state media reported, capping more than a week of political meetings with a show of military might. Clad in a leather coat and fur hat, leader Kim Jong Un smiled and waved as
South Korean court confirms 20-year prison term for ex-president Park
SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a 20-year prison term for former President Park Geun-hye over bribery and other crimes as it wrapped up a historic corruption case that marked a striking fall from grace for the country’s first female leader and conserv
North Korea threatens to build more nuclear weapons over US 'hostility'
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatened to expand his country's nuclear arsenal and develop more sophisticated atomic weapons systems, saying the fate of relations with the US depends on whether it abandons its hostile policy. Mr Kim’s comments, made on Friday during a ruling party meeti
Kim vows to improve ties with outside world at party meeting
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un underscored the need to drastically improve his nation’s ties with the outside world as he addressed a major political conference for the third consecutive day. State media said Kim also reviewed relations with rival South Korea but didn’t elaborate on
South Korea reviews AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
SEOUL: South Korea is reviewing AstraZeneca’s request for approval of its coronavirus vaccine, as it expands a ban on private gatherings of more than four people to the whole country with daily cases topping more than 1,000 in four days.The drug safety ministry said will aim to approve the B
South Korea extends distancing rules for 2 weeks
South Korea is extending stringent distancing rules for two more weeks as authorities seek to suppress a viral resurgence, while confirming its first case of an apparently more contagious coronavirus variant detected in South Africa. Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said on Saturday the se
North Korea’s Kim thanks people in rare New Year’s cards
SEOUL, South Korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un thanked the public for their trust and support “in the difficult times” and wished them happiness and good health in his first New Year’s Day cards sent to his people.Kim usually gives a televised speech on Jan. 1, but he is wid
South Korea logs second-highest daily tally of COVID-19 cases
SEOUL: South Korea posted its second-highest daily number of coronavirus cases on Saturday as outbreaks at a prison, nursing homes and churches continued to grow, prompting authorities to plead for a halt to all year-end gatherings.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said there
