Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week
SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Yonhap) — The following is a summary of domestic news in North Korea this week.
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N. Korea claims U.S. exploits S. Korea’s security uneasiness for new defense cost deal
SEOUL — North Korea said Friday a new defense cost-sharing deal between South Korea and the United States is a product of Washington’s “sinister” scheme to use the South’s security uneasiness for the implementation of its strategy for world supremacy.
Under the five-year agreement reached with the U.S. last week, South Korea will pay 1.52 trillion won (US$1.14 billion) in 2026, up from 1.4 trillion won in 2025, for the upkeep of some 28,500 U.S. troops.
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N. Korean leader calls for fighting against corruption in message marking party founding anniv.
SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called on officials to fight against corruption and eradicate abuse of power in a message seen aimed at tightening a grip on social discipline and enhancing internal solidarity.
Kim’s statement was carried by the Rodong Sinmun, the North’s main newspaper, on Friday in a bid to celebrate the 79th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party the previous day.
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N. Korea appoints new ambassador to Switzerland
SEOUL — North Korea has appointed a former ambassador to its mission at the United Nations office in Geneva as its top envoy to Switzerland, the North’s foreign ministry said Thursday.
Jo Chol-su, who previously served as director-general of international organizations at the North’s ministry, was appointed to the post, replacing his predecessor Han Tae-song.
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(2nd LD) N. Korea amends constitution at parliamentary meeting without disclosing details
SEOUL — North Korea has convened a key parliamentary meeting to revise the constitution, state media reported Wednesday, without disclosing details about whether it removed unification-related clauses or stipulated territorial boundaries in line with an order by leader Kim Jong-un.
At the 11th session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) Monday and Tuesday in Pyongyang, North Korea unanimously decided to amend and supplement parts of the country’s socialist constitution, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
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(LEAD) N. Korean leader threatens to use nuclear weapons against enemies’ possible attacks
SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has threatened to use nuclear weapons if the country’s enemies attempt to use armed force against it, state media reported Tuesday.
The latest rhetoric comes as North Korea is presumed to have kicked off a key parliamentary meeting Monday to revise the constitution in a way that cements its animosity toward South Korea as a “primary foe.”
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N. Korea decries NATO’s condemnation of its military cooperation with Russia
SEOUL — North Korea has denounced the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s condemnation of military cooperation between the North and Russia, warning that the entity could face “tragic consequences” if it continues to pursue an anti-North Korea stance.
NATO issued a statement last week that condemns North Korea and Iran for “fueling” Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine with their direct military support to Moscow.
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N. Korea, China FMs exchange messages marking 75 yrs of relations
SEOUL — The top diplomats of North Korea and China have pledged to further develop relations between their countries as they exchanged messages to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the North’s state media reported on Monday.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, exchanged messages on Sunday, commemorating the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
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