Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week

SEOUL, Feb. 14 (Yonhap) — The following is a summary of domestic news in North Korea this week.

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Overseas tour agents enter N. Korea for 1st time in 5 yrs amid resumption of foreign tourism

SEOUL — Foreign tour agents have entered North Korea for the first time since it closed its borders to tourism in 2020 due to COVID-19, to inspect new tourism sites, a tour agency’s website said Friday, amid signs of Pyongyang reopening to foreign tourists.

Koryo Tours’ staff crossed into North Korea’s northeastern border city of Rason in the early hours of Thursday as part of “a special trip for staff only” since the country is not yet fully open to tourism, according to the website of the Beijing-based British tour agency.

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N. Korea bristles at deepening S. Korea-U.S. alliance under South’s acting leadership

SEOUL — North Korea on Friday accused South Korea and the United States of deepening their alliance against its regime even under Seoul’s acting leadership, warning it cannot sit idly by amid their “recklessness.”

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited the South Korean Navy’s recent adoption of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and the launch earlier this month of the Navy Task Fleet Command, as it denounced the South’s military in a commentary of escalating confrontational plots against Pyongyang.

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N. Korea names Paris Olympic table tennis silver medalists as best players for 2024

SEOUL — North Korea has named two national players who won silver medals in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games mixed doubles event as among the top 10 athletes of the year, state media reported Wednesday.

Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong, who brought home North Korea’s first medal in the Paris Olympics, were named among the top 10 players for 2024 Tuesday, according to the North’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper.

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N. Korea denounces Trump’s proposal to take over Gaza

SEOUL — North Korea on Wednesday denounced U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle its Palestinian residents, saying that national sovereignty cannot be subject to negotiations with Washington.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a commentary on its website, “The world is now boiling like a porridge pot over the U.S.’ bombshell announcement,” without directly mentioning Trump by name.

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(LEAD) N.K. leader attends groundbreaking ceremony for greenhouse farm in Sinuiju

SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new greenhouse farm and a vegetable science research center in the northwestern city of Sinuiju, reaffirming his commitment to regional development, state media reported Tuesday.

The ceremony was held the previous day for the “largest-ever modern” 450-hectare greenhouse farm and a vegetable science research center, which will be built in Sinuiju, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

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(2nd LD) N. Korea bristles at U.S. nuclear submarine in S. Korea, warns ready to use any defense means

SEOUL — North Korea on Tuesday denounced the recent arrival of a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine in South Korea, accusing Washington of ignoring Pyongyang’s security concerns and warning that it is ready to use any means to defend its national security.

North Korea’s defense ministry made the remarks a day after the USS Alexandria, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, arrived at the Busan naval base, some 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to replenish supplies and allow crew members to rest.

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N. Korea’s state media reports on opening of Asian Winter Games in Harbin

SEOUL — North Korea’s state media reported Monday that the Asian Winter Games have opened in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, where three North Korean athletes are participating.

The Rodong Sinmun, the North’s main newspaper, reported the ninth Asian Games kicked off in Harbin on Friday, adding that Chinese President Xi Jinping and key international sports officials attended the opening ceremony.

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(LEAD) N. Korea’s Kim says U.S. causing ‘conflicting structure,’ vows to bolster nuclear forces

SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has accused the United States of standing behind the world’s disputes, reaffirming the country’s policy to further develop its nuclear forces, the North’s state media reported Sunday.

Kim made the remarks during his visit to the Ministry of National Defense the previous day in celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of its armed forces, the Korean People’s Army, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
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