North Korea announced Tuesday that it successfully tested a new weapons system described as hypersonic, with state media releasing photos showing leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter observing the launch. The regime characterized the test as having "great significance."
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, rejected a UN atomic agency resolution criticizing Pyongyang's nuclear program, calling the country's nuclear-armed status 'absolute' and 'irreversible.' North Korea accused the IAEA of double standards and cited US-led military buildup as justification for expanding its nuclear arsenal.
North Korea launched more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Thursday, prompting trilateral consultations between senior diplomats from the United States, South Korea, and Japan. The launch came hours after President Donald Trump announced plans to meet with Kim Jong Un and a day after Seoul said it was scaling back military drills with the US.
South Korea's defense ministry announced that annual joint military exercises with the United States will be shortened by six days at Washington's request, following President Donald Trump's order to scale back the drills. Trump cited his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the reason for reducing the exercises.
President Donald Trump announced plans to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year while abruptly ending annual US-South Korea military exercises on Friday. The move has drawn bipartisan criticism from senators and raised concerns about undermining the alliance and South Korea's defense capabilities.
President Trump directed the Pentagon to substantially scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, citing Seoul's refusal to join the war in Iran and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The decision comes despite warnings from military officials about the North Korean threat.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed pride in his country's deepening relationship with Russia in communications with President Vladimir Putin, as reported by state media on August 16, 2026. The reaffirmation of ties comes amid North Korea's provision of military support for Russia's war efforts and coincides with North Korea's liberation anniversary celebrations.
North Korea has decided on measures to strengthen its nuclear forces both quantitatively and qualitatively, while also expanding its military intelligence activities focused on South Korea, according to state media KCNA following a military commission meeting led by Kim Jong Un.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un exchanged messages emphasizing their commitment to deepening bilateral ties, coinciding with a North Korean premier-led delegation visit to China. Xi pledged China's unwavering support for the traditional friendship regardless of international developments.
Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled to Pyongyang for a two-day visit beginning June 7, 2026, his first trip to North Korea since 2019. Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un celebrated what they called the 'unbreakable' bond between their countries and pledged to strengthen exchanges in diplomacy, law enforcement, and military cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to North Korea on June 8-9 to meet with leader Kim Jong Un, marking his first visit to the country in nearly seven years as China seeks to strengthen ties with its neighbor amid Pyongyang's deepening relations with Russia.
