North Korea Archives - Page 5 of 5 - The Diplomatic Envoy

For the first half of 2016, the number of detections totaled 814, an annual increase of 15 percent. The plethora of defections has followed an increase in tension between North and South Korea following the North’s nuclear testing. The number of defectors used to reach over 2,000 a year, but after Kim Jong-un reached power, the number of defectors was cut in half. It appears to have been due to more difficulty in escaping and increased punishment, rather than better conditions. Park said in her speech that the increase in 2016 has been due to an increase in oppression and widespread hunger.

September 22, 2016

Focus on Olympic Preparations: North Korea

Popularity of the games has led North Korea to put more funding into the training facilities and North Korean citizens get the chance to watch certain events on state television. The events aired are merely highlights and are shown long after the event took place.

International News Asia

March 21, 2016 Felipe Bueno

Security Council Adopts New Sanctions Against DPRK

The U.S. mission to the U.N. indicated that it would “make it much harder for the DPRK to raise funds, import technology, and acquire the know-how to continue its illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs.” The resolution includes an extensive list of what cannot be exported into the country, such as arms in any capacity or technologies to further the nuclear arms race of North Korea.

March 2016 Opinion 2016

March 17, 2016 Alexander Grey

North Korea Is Not A Threat

The threats of war from the DPRK should only ever receive laughs for the jokes they are.

International News Asia

February 1, 2016 Leah Cerilli

American Student Detained in Latest Arrest by North Korea

Despite these warnings, thousands of Westerners opt to take the risk and visit the Hermit Kingdom every year. Young Pioneer Tours alone has provided tours to about 1,000 people a year, of which 40 percent are Americans, according to the Chronicle Telegram.

October 2015 Asia

October 8, 2015 Felipe Bueno

Koreas Resume Family Reunion Talks

The New York Times reports that these reunions will take place between October 20 and 26, assuming nothing changes. As the Korean Herald reports, however, the North Korean government has warned that this next round of reunions are on “thin ice” and may be canceled if South Korea continues to oppose the North’s plans of a satellite launch and nuclear tests.

International News Asia

September 7, 2015

China Links N. Korea With High-Speed Rail

Continuing efforts to boost economic ties with North Korea, China recently opened a high-speed railway network to the North Korean border. Beijing now “increasingly feels like North Korea is more of a liability than an opportunity.”

International News U.S.Asia

August 31, 2015 Madison McHugh

North, South Korea in Marathon Talks

High-level talks between North Korea and South Korea have resulted in a deal to lower tensions on the Korean peninsula, according to VOA News. It is expected that Pyongyang will relax its defense posture after the U.S.-South Korean drills end on August 28.