All articles tagged with #kim jong un
North Korea claims a successful test of the Hwasong-11Ma-1 hypersonic glide vehicle, but independent tracking by South Korea and Japan suggests the missiles traveled significantly shorter distances than Pyongyang reported.
North Korea announced it tested a new weapon showcasing ultra-modern defense technology in a Kim Jong Un–led demonstration, claiming the device would give enemies an incurable headache. While KCNA did not name the weapon, analysts and state media noted it may be an upgraded short-range ballistic missile with a hypersonic glide vehicle, designed to evade defenses. Seoul reported two SRBM launches from the east coast, as regional tensions persist amid broader denuclearization diplomacy and joint US–South Korea–Japan discussions.
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un told Vladimir Putin that Pyongyang will expand and deepen cooperation with Russia in a comprehensive, friendship-based alliance, and he expressed confidence in Russia’s victory in its so-called sacred war. The remarks underscore closer bilateral ties, continuing military cooperation, and a shared stance amid past cooperation and mutual defense pacts, following Kim’s messages to Xi Jinping as well.
Kim Jong Un announced the commissioning of the Kang Kon destroyer, months after its launch collapsed when it capsized. He credited a revival to the country's “self-respect, will and strong spirit,” and reportedly purged a top military commander and the shipbuilder from official photos—a possible sign of punishment. The nuclear-capable Kang Kon is now part of North Korea’s largest destroyer fleet, as KCNA touts new naval bases, a target of two new surface ships annually, and a planned nuclear-powered attack submarine.
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un oversaw the commissioning of his second 5,000-ton destroyer, Kang Kon, highlighting a push for a more capable nuclear deterrent, as the United States, South Korea and Japan begin the five-day Freedom Edge trilateral drill off Jeju Island, a move Pyongyang views as a threat and a pressure point for concessions.
Kim Jong Un oversaw the commissioning of the Kang Kon destroyer, described by KCNA as capable of delivering annihilating retaliatory strikes and part of Pyongyang's nuclear response system, as North Korea accelerates naval modernization and builds east coast bases, with the ceremony occurring ahead of a US-South Korea-Japan drill.
North Korea has commissioned its second modern guided-missile destroyer, Kang Kon, in a turnaround after the vessel capsized during its May 2025 launch; Kim Jong Un hailed it as historic and vowed deterrence, as Pyongyang expands its navy toward a nuclear-armed force with plans for more ships and new bases.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, endorsed the idea of a Trump–Kim Jong Un meeting, arguing that leaders need to talk to advance diplomacy—even amid criticism of Kim’s rights record—citing the Putin–Zelensky mediation as a model. Grossi is also a candidate for UN secretary-general, where eight nominees are competing, five of them women, highlighting the broader security diplomacy context.
President Donald Trump said he will meet with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un this year, confirming reports he’s pursuing a high-profile summit. The two leaders have met before (2018 in Singapore, 2019 in Vietnam), and the administration recently downsized joint exercises with South Korea; Trump declined to say whether they’re exchanging letters again, and NBC News is seeking more details about the plan.
President Donald Trump said he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year, highlighting Kim’s nuclear arsenal and a favorable personal rapport, while noting a recent shift in U.S.-South Korea military drills that could influence negotiations.
Trump praises Kim Jong Un after a “very positive” exchange and orders a scale-back of Ulchi Freedom Shield drills with South Korea, signaling a possible autumn summit to leverage Seoul over Iran and bolster his foreign-policy stance ahead of midterm elections, while North Korea remains wary of the renewed outreach.
President Trump halved the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises to appease Kim Jong Un, a move critics say could slow South Korea’s plan to regain wartime operational control of its forces and complicate burden-sharing with the United States, potentially weakening deterrence as Pyongyang’s capabilities grow.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged boosting Seoul's independent military capabilities after Trump ordered a substantial cut to U.S.-South Korea joint drills, stressing that Ulchi Freedom Shield is defensive and backing expansion of Seoul's nuclear-powered submarine program while hoping for improved U.S.–North Korea dialogue.
President Trump says Kim Jong Un has responded to his outreach and called the exchange positive, as the Pentagon scales back joint drills with South Korea; Pyongyang has not publically commented, Seoul says drills continue, and analysts warn a new summit could be possible but would likely take time amid broader tensions over Iran and Russia.
President Trump says Kim Jong-un has responded to his overtures about scaling back joint US-South Korea exercises, but offered no further details; the live feed also covers other Trump administration news, including comments on the USS Abraham Lincoln, tensions with Iran, and related foreign policy developments.