North Korea’s Kim Jong Un says new destroyer part of nuclear response system

September 7, 2026 10:22 AM

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un says new destroyer part of nuclear response system

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said a newly commissioned destroyer would be part of a nuclear response system capable of delivering "annihilating retaliatory strikes", state media KCNA reported on Monday, though it did not say whether the vessel would carry nuclear weapons. North Korea has accelerated efforts to modernise its navy as Kim pursues a broader expansion of the country's nuclear-capable forces. At a commissioning ceremony in the port city of Wonsan on Sunday, Kim said deploying the...

North Korea’s Kim voices full support for Russia, sends National Day message to Putin, KCNA says

June 12, 2026 4:34 PM

North Korea’s Kim voices full support for Russia, sends National Day message to Putin, KCNA says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory ​message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russia’s ‌National Day, voicing full support for Moscow’s domestic and foreign policies, state media KCNA said on Friday. Kim said ties ​between North Korea and Russia were strengthening into ​an alliance based on a comprehensive strategic partnership ⁠treaty, and pledged to “always be with” Russia, KCNA ​reported. Separately, Russian and North Korean officials visited a mo...

China’s Xi says he reached important consensus with Kim in North Korea visit, KCNA reports

June 10, 2026 10:59 AM

China’s Xi says he reached important consensus with Kim in North Korea visit, KCNA reports

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reached an "important ​consensus" and agreed to safeguard regional and global peace, in a ‌message of thanks following his visit to Pyongyang, North Korean state media KCNA said on Wednesday. In the message carried in full by KCNA, Xi said the two sides ​had “exchanged in-depth views on issues of common concern and reached a ​series of important joint consensus,” reflecting their determination to further ⁠dee...

China’s Xi hails deeper understanding at end of North Korea summit

June 9, 2026 3:15 PM

China’s Xi hails deeper understanding at end of North Korea summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up on Tuesday his first visit to North Korea in seven years, saying it had established a deeper, more comprehensive understanding yielding a clearer path for development of ties, the official Xinhua news agency said. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Xi agreed to expand cooperation in the areas of politics, economy and culture at a summit in Pyongyang that opened a new chapter in ties, the North's official KCNA news agency said. "The mutual understanding ...

Kim Jong Un says North Korea’s nuclear status is irreversible, threatens South

March 24, 2026 9:46 AM

Kim Jong Un says North Korea’s nuclear status is irreversible, threatens South

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would permanently strengthen its nuclear forces and treat South Korea as its most hostile state, as he set out policy priorities in a speech to parliament, state media KCNA reported on Tuesday. Kim said Pyongyang's status as a nuclear-armed state was irreversible and expanding a "self-defensive nuclear deterrent" was essential to national security, regional stability and economic development. He rejected the idea that nuclear disarmament could b...