Topic: Kim Jong-il

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Global News Blog Good Reads: From teens and Facebook to the culinary tastes of ‘Dear Leader’ to a new 5G cellphone

This week's round-up of Good Reads includes Facebook losing favor among teens, the first menial jobs of the rich and famous, reminiscences by Kim Jong-il's sushi chef, new campuses for the headquarters of tech giants, and the world's fastest cellphone.
Focus One man's escape from Camp 14 and North Korea

Only one prisoner born in North Korea's gulag is known to have escaped to tell his story. A Q&A with Blaine Harden, the journalist who wrote about Shin Dong-hyuk.
North Korea fires three short-range missiles. Why? (+video)

The firing of three short-range missiles Saturday by North Korea could be to improve their accuracy. Or it could be atmospherics as a period of tentative diplomacy begins.
Japan's 'secret' trip to North Korea disrupts united stance against Pyongyang

Japan's visit to North Korea comes after broad regional agreement that Pyongyang should not be offered talks unless it displays a genuine commitment to denuclearization.
Terrorism & Security North Korea explains why it sentenced American Kenneth Bae to hard labor

Mr. Bae was detained and sentenced to 15 years in prison. North Korea today spelled out its charges, which include plotting to overthrow the government.
Global News Blog Dennis Rodman to Kim Jong-un: 'Do me a solid' and free Kenneth Bae (+video)

US basketball star Dennis Rodman recently hung out with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un - now he's tweeted a request that the American sentenced to 15 years' hard labor be released.
North Korea missile threat? North Korea 'closer' to nuclear threat, says Pentagon

North Korea missile threat: Intelligence agencies disagree on how great a missile threat North Korea poses, despite North Korea's recent threats against South Korea, Japan, and the US.
All eyes on Kim Jong-un after North Korea gives 15 years' hard labor to US citizen

North Korea says US citizen Kenneth Bae was conspiring to overthrow the regime. But analysts say the North is likely to use him as a new bargaining chip.
Terrorism & Security North Korea prepared to restart talks, raising hope for eased tensions

Some say that while Pyongyang's preconditions are unrealistic, its statement provides a noteworthy change in recent tone.
New N. Korea threats against South, U.S.

N. Korea issued new threats after protesters in Seoul burned effigies of the North's leaders. N. Korea threatened retaliatory measures against S. Korea and "unspecified military countermeasures" unless the U.S. stops conducting military drills nearby.
Decoder Wire Why hasn't North Korea fired its Musudan missile yet?

Satellite imagery has detected the movement of several Musudan missiles toward the east coast of North Korea, and a test is widely expected. But April 15 is not likely to be the day. Here's why.
North Korea's Kim Jong-un celebrates missile-free holiday (+video)

Officials in South Korea, the United States, and Japan say that intelligence indicates North Korea, which tested a nuclear device in February, is ready to test a medium-range missile.
Kim Jong-un's goal? Status as the unequivocal god-king of the North.

Kim Jong-un is showing he is firmly in charge of North Korea, capable of challenging the mighty United States and a worthy successor to the Kim dynasty. That might be a good thing.
Opinion Obama must throw North Korea a curve ball – a helping US hand

The US can exploit Pyongyang and Kim Jong-un's pride by shelving the nuclear issue for now, engaging in talks, and offering substantial aid and investments that boost North Korea's economy and helps its people 'help themselves.' This can break the cycle of threats and blackmail.
Opinion To break the cycle of North Korea threats, US must put Kim on his heels (+video)

To break the cycle of threats from North Korea, the United States must take a much more assertive stance. Leader Kim Jong-un must be put on the defensive by sending him a clear warning of preemptive action if America and its allies find themselves threatened.
Terrorism & Security As prospect of North Korea missile launch rises, some question US response to threats (+video)

The US is responding to North Korea's bombast as if Pyongyang is capable of making good on its recent threats. Tensions have risen against the backdrop of annual US-South Korean military drills.
Global News Blog Is North Korea on a 'collision' course with vow to restart nuclear reactor?

Kim Jong-un announced that North Korea will restart its nuclear facility, making the country's nuclear program a source of deep concern for the international community.
Family man and friendly leader? Kim Jong Un gets positive spin at home

While the rest of the world worries about North Korea's threats of nuclear war, at home, North Koreans see a softer side of leader Kim Jong Un portrayed in state propaganda. Images show Kim mingling with children and saluting soldiers.
Briefing North Korean war talk: hot air or serious threat?

Pyongyang has cut the last military hotline to the South and says it's ready to target US bases in Hawaii, Guam, and South Korea. So why is there no sign the North is really girding for war?
Energy Voices North Korea threat is part of the geopolitical game

North Korea on Tuesday threatened to attack the US and South Korea with “lighter and smaller nukes”. The threats and recent tests of long-range rockets and nuclear weapons are not the result of bravado, rather of fear, Alic writes.
China agrees to sanction North Korea, but how far will it go?

Though the mood in Beijing toward Pyongyang has gradually worsened since North Korea went ahead with recent missile tests, China is unlikely to come down too hard.
Global News Blog North Korea's special guests: First a Google executive, then Dennis Rodman (+video)

The fact that North Korea is getting to host well-known personalities from abroad is a PR plus for the regime, say analysts.
Will North Korea time its third nuclear test to coincide with Kim Jong-il's birthday?

Dates and numbers have great symbolic importance to North Korea, so Pyongyang often schedules what Washington calls 'provocative acts' around holidays and important political events.
North Korean leader orders 'substantial' action: Is it a nuclear test?

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has taken a defiant stance in response to a recent UN Security Council condemnation.
What was 'Mr. Google' doing in North Korea? (+video)

Eric Schmidt, the executive chairman of Google, returned from a four-day visit to North Korea on Thursday with a message for the North: Embrace the Internet.