Korean | Common News Update

May312018 by adminNo Comments

Pompeo has 'good' meeting with top North Korean official

Senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo have had a "good" meeting in New York. The rare visit comes ahead of the potential summit between the leaders of the two countries next month.The White House has said the on-off meeting on 12 June in Singapore is "expected" to take place still, despite some jitters. Image: The officials will meet again on Thursday US officials have said early meetings preparing for the America-North Korea summit have been positive.Mr Pompeo tweeted a few hours after Mr Kim landed in the city: "Good working dinner with Kim Yong Chol in New York tonight. Steak, corn, and cheese on the menu.":: Trump's summit cancellation could help give peace a chance ...

May72018 by adminNo Comments

Korean Air 'nut rage' heiress mom investigated for smuggling swans

World

May 7 (UPI) -- South Korea police are investigating the mother of Korean Air's "nut rage" heiress for physically assaulting employees and smuggling goods into the country.Lee Myung-hee, 69, has been at the center of a national uproar following the release of video footage showing a woman erupting in a temper tantrum at a construction site in 2014.The defendant was later identified by multiple victims as Lee.The chairwoman of Hanjin conglomerate's nonprofit Ilwoo Foundation may have injured her victims during one of her assaults, according to local press reports.She is also suspected of smuggling swans into South Korea to a Hanjin-owned farm on the resort island of Jeju, South Korean television network SBS reported Monday.South Korea's customs service is investigating the swans and other co...

Apr152018 by adminNo Comments

North Korean media spotlighting Kim Jong Un's wife Ri Sol-ju

World

SEOUL, April 15 (UPI) -- North Korean media appears to be attempting to raise the profile of Ri Sol-ju, the wife of regime leader Kim Jong Un.The state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Ri, without her husband, had attended a performance of "Giselle," staged by the visiting National Ballet of China.The event was held at the Mansudae Theatre in Pyongyang on Saturday, as part of the North's April Spring Friendship Art Festival, which marks the birth of regime founder Kim Il Sung.For the first time, Ri was referred to as the "revered first lady Ri Sol-ju," instead of "comrade Ri Sol-ju," Yonhap reported.The report also spotlighted her activities, although she was accompanied by high-ranking regime officials including Choe Ryong-hae, Ri Su-yong and Kim Yong-chol, as well as her sist...

Apr92018 by adminNo Comments

Report: North Korean leader wants security guarantee from Washington

World

SEOUL, April 9 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is willing to "complete denuclearize," in return for a security guarantee from the United States, Japanese media reported Monday.According to Yomiuri Shimbun, Kim told Chinese leader Xi Jinping in their summit last month that he will give up his nukes as long as the United States guarantees the security of his regime and there is "full compensation" for denuclearization.The report says Kim clearly insisted that a security guarantee, the removal of international sanctions and broad economic support must first be provided, rather than coincide with the denuclearization process.According to diplomatic source cited by Yomiuri, if the U.S. "faithfully takes part in the summit," the North Korean leader is ready to be more active and open to...

Mar272018 by adminNo Comments

Singapore cancels all work passes for North Korean guest workers

World

SEOUL, March 27 (UPI) -- Singapore has canceled all work permits for North Korean workers in its borders, in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions, a recent UN sanctions report shows.In an implementation report submitted last week, the Singaporean government confirmed that there are now "no nationals of North Korea with work passes in Singapore," as permits have been revoked for all North Koreans.The government will not grant new permits, it added.Also, those from North Korea who arrive in Singapore without a visa will be rejected from entry.According to various human rights groups, some 65,000 North Koreans were working in 40 countries across Eastern Europe and Asia by 2015.They were estimated to be earning between $ 200 to $ 500 million per year for the Pyongyang regime.H...