Kim Jong Un - The African Mirror

Jan

2024

North Korea vows military strike if any provocation, fires artillery rounds

NORTH Korea will launch a military strike immediately in response to any provocation, Kim Yo Jong, the sister and key ally of leader Kim Jong Un, said, as it fired artillery shells near its border with the South for the third day in a row. The remarks come after South Korea's military said the North had fired more than 60 artillery rounds on Saturday near their disputed maritime border, following a similar volley of more than 200 the previous day. North Korea again fired about 90 rounds on Sunday, the South said. The North's army said they did not pose…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

North Korea tests new nuclear-capable underwater drone

WORLD

SOO-HYANG CHOI and JU-MIN PARK NORTH Korea has tested a new nuclear-capable underwater attack drone, state media reported, as leader Kim Jong Un warned joint military drills by South Korea and the U.S. should stop. During the test, the new North Korean drone cruised underwater at a depth of 80 to 150 metres (260-500 feet) for over 59 hours and detonated a non-nuclear payload in waters off its east coast on Thursday, North Korean state news agency KCNA said. Analysts say North Korea is showing off its increasingly diverse nuclear threats to Washington and Seoul, though they are sceptical about…

Feb

2023

By The African Mirror

Kim Jong Un’s daughter appears at sports event

WORLD

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter watched a sports event attended by government officials, according to state media, the first time the girl has been seen at a non-military event. The daughter, often described by state media as Kim’s “beloved child" or "respected child" has been seen alongside her father Kim at military events including earlier this month. Little is known about the girl and she has not been named in state media. South Korean intelligence officials believe she is the daughter identified as Ju Ae by former American basketball player Dennis Rodman, who spent time with Kim's…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

North Korea says open to talks if South drops double standards

WORLD

SANGMI CHA and HYONHEE SHIN SOUTH Korea's call for a formal end to the Korean War is premature but the door for dialogue is open if it scraps its double standards and hostile policy, a senior North Korean official said in comments published by state media on Friday. The 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice not a peace treaty, leaving U.S.-led U.N. forces technically still at war with North Korea. The question of formally ending the war has become caught up in a U.S.-led effort to get North Korea to give up it nuclear weapons. South Korea President Moon…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

North Korea’s Kim tells party congress economic plan failed ‘tremendously’

WORLD

HYONHEE SHIN NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his five-year economic plan had failed to meet its goals "on almost every sector" as he kicked off a congress of the ruling Workers' Party, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday. The rare political gathering, which Kim last hosted in 2016, has drawn international attention as he is expected to unveil a new five-year economic plan and address inter-Korean ties and foreign policy. The congress, attended by 250 party executives, 4,750 delegates and 2,000 spectators, comes just two weeks before U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office. In his opening speech, Kim…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

N.Korea unveils ‘monster’ new intercontinental ballistic missile at parade

WORLD

HYONHEE SHIN and JOSH SMITH NORTH Korea unveiled previously unseen intercontinental ballistic missiles at an unprecedented predawn military parade that showcased the country's long-range weapons for the first time in two years. Analysts said the missile, which was shown on a transporter vehicle with 11 axles, would be one of the largest road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in the world if it becomes operational. "This missile is a monster," said Melissa Hanham, deputy director of the Open Nuclear Network. Also displayed were the Hwasong-15, which is the longest-range missile ever tested by North Korea, and what appeared to be a…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

North Korea holds rare predawn military parade

WORLD

HYONHEE SHIN and JOSH SMITH NORTH Korea has held a military parade early to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers' Party in a rare predawn event, South Korea's military said. The anniversary, celebrated with a raft of concerts and festivals, was closely watched around the region as it was seen as an event where leader Kim Jong Un could deliver messages to domestic and foreign audiences. Analysts had said the North might unveil new strategic weapons, but state media has not released any images or reports on a parade. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

N.Korea declares COVID-19 emergency in border town

WORLD

SANGMI CHA and JOSH SMITH NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared an emergency and a lockdown in a border town after a person suspected of being infected with the novel coronavirus returned from South Korea after illegally crossing the border, state media said on Sunday. If confirmed, it would be the first case officially acknowledged by North Korean authorities. Kim convened an emergency politburo meeting in response to what he called a "critical situation in which the vicious virus could be said to have entered the country", the North's KCNA state news reported. A person who defected to South…