Then, in December of the same year, the government launched a long-range rocket that put a satellite in orbit. The U. In February , North Korea held its third underground nuclear test.
The act was roundly condemned by the international community, including the United States, Russia, Japan and China. In the face of further sanctions, analysts stated that Kim's continued focus on armament while calling for U. By September , the country reportedly conducted its fifth underground nuclear test, despite a history of sanctions imposed by the U. Other countries staunchly denounced the move and called for North Korea's denuclearization, with South Korean president Park Geun-hye particularly concerned about the security implications of the continued weapons testing and Kim's mental state.
In February , North Korea launched what its state media described as a medium long-range ballistic missile, with Kim said to be present at the site to supervise.
The test sparked more outrage from the international community and calls for an urgent U. Security Council meeting. Kim notably butted heads with Donald Trump after the latter's election to the U. The two exchanged numerous threats of warfare, and even took to personally insulting the other. In November , during a stop on a tour of Asia, President Trump took a softer stance, urging North Korea to "come to the table" to discuss disarmament.
After the conclusion of Trump's tour, North Korean officials said the regime would continue to expand its nuclear capabilities as long as South Korea and the U. S engaged in joint military exercises. Kim punctuated that statement by calling Trump a "depraved and stupid guy," and the U.
In late November, North Korea crossed another threshold with the launch of its Hwasong missile, which reached a height of approximately 2, miles above ground, before splashing down off the coast of Japan.
Afterward, Kim declared that North Korea had "finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force. Defense Secretary James Mattis admitted that the test missile soared "higher, frankly, than any previous shot they have taken" and confirmed that North Korea was now capable of reaching any location on the planet with a strike.
The launch drew swift condemnation from Japan and South Korea, while President Trump tersely noted, "We will take care of it. In April , before his summit with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, Kim announced that he would suspend the country's nuclear and missile testing and shut down the site where the previous six nuclear tests were held.
Kim struck a measured tone during his New Year's Day speech to open , in which he stressed the need to "lower the military tensions on the Korean Peninsula" and suggested he would send a delegation to compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Nevertheless, he made sure to issue one of his usual threats to his overseas antagonists, warning the U.
His overtures, viewed by some analysts as an attempt to drive a wedge between U. On January 9, , representatives from North and South Korea met at the Panmunjom truce village, on the border between the two countries, for their first discussions in more than two years. The talks led to an arrangement in which North Korea would participate in the following month's Winter Olympics.
Along with its delegation, North Korea made its mark on the Games with the high-profile appearance of Kim Yo-jong , the leader's younger sister and the first member of the North's ruling family to visit South Korea. She offered hope for peace during a dinner with President Moon, saying, "Here's to hoping that we could see the pleasant people of the South again in Pyeongchang and bring closer the future where we are one again.
Shortly after the conclusion of the Olympics, two of President Moon's top aides traveled to Pyongyang for the first visit by South Korean officials since Kim took power in Although few details about the discussions emerged, the meeting did produce plans for a summit between the North and South Korean leaders at the Demilitarized Zone DMZ separating the two countries. The partly televised meeting was marked by moments of levity, with Kim jokingly apologizing for interrupting his counterpart's sleep with late-night missile testing.
But they also addressed the serious matters at hand, discussing a possible conference with the U. In late March , a green train pulled into the central station of Beijing, China, bearing hallmarks of the armored types previously used by North Korean leaders.
It was later confirmed that the train was carrying Kim and his top aides, on what was believed to be his first foreign trip since taking power in Additionally, Xi hosted a banquet for Kim and his wife, and treated them to an art performance. The surprise meeting came shortly before North Korea's scheduled talks with the South, and another historic summit, with the United States, on the horizon. While experts have questioned its claim of a perfect record, Ha said the NIS has yet to see any signs of a major Covid outbreak.
Ha said North Korea has rejected outside offers of Russian and Chinese vaccines. Kim, the lawmaker, said the NIS has determined North Korea also hasn't shown interest in obtaining Pfizer vaccines, which would require negotiations with the drugmaker and the U. Analysts say North Korea could be uneasy about international monitoring requirements that would be attached to vaccines it receives from the outside world. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
Politics Covid U. News World Opinion Business. State media said he had been plotting a coup. Mr Kim is also widely believed to have ordered the murder of his exiled half-brother , Kim Jong-nam, in February at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Not much was known of Mr Kim's personal life until television footage of an unidentified woman attending events with him surfaced. Little is known of Ms Ri, but her stylish appearance led some analysts to suggest that she was from an upper-class family.
Reports have suggested that Ms Ri may have been a singer who caught Mr Kim's attention during a performance. According to South Korean intelligence, the couple have three children. Mr Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong, holds a senior post in the Workers' Party of Korea - and stole the limelight when she represented her brother at the Winter Olympics in the South. It is not known whether his elder brother, Kim Jong-chol, holds an official role. In April , rumours about Kim Jong-un's health alleged he might have undergone a serious operation and there was uncertainty about his recovery.
The reports were based on South Korean fringe publication Daily NK and seemed to be backed up by the fact that Mr Kim had missed the anniversary of his grandfather's birthday, the almost mythical founder of North Korea, Kim Il-sung. Whether true or not, the intense speculation over the health of the obese year-old reveal a crucial weakness of the North Korean dynasty.
The question of succession has the potential to bring the brutally enforced authoritarian structure to the brink of disintegration each time a leader passes away. Mr Kim's children are said to be too young to be even considered for succession. In the framework of North Korea's political mythology, power is legitimised by the Mount Paektu bloodline going back to Kim Il-sung.
The further removed from the country founder a new generation is, the higher the chance a power struggle between party, army and government could escalate.
North Korea crisis in words. Meet North Korea's first family. Is Kim Jong-un getting a media makeover? This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Who is North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un? Image source, Reuters. Kim Jong-un has received numerous official titles since becoming North Korea's leader.
Image source, AFP. The undated image shows Kim Jong-un as a student in Switzerland. North Korea crisis in words Is Kim Jong-un getting a media makeover? Image source, KCNA.
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