YONHAP NEWS AGENCY
Fire at a lithium battery factory in South Korea kills 22
A fire at a manufacturing factory in South Korea, likely caused by exploding lithium batteries, resulted in the death of 22 workers, mostly Chinese migrants, and injured 8 others. The incident occurred during battery examination and packaging, with nationalities of the victims including Chinese, South Korean, and Laotian. Authorities are investigating the blaze, while efforts continue to locate a missing worker and treat the injured.
US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea for military drills, report says
The nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier, Theodore Roosevelt, has arrived in South Korea's port city of Busan for joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan. This follows an agreement between the three nations, made at a Camp David summit in August 2023, to hold annual drills in response to China's actions in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to North Korea included signing a mutual defence pact with Kim Jong Un, described by Kim as forming an "alliance." These developments underscore the complex dynamics in the region.
N. Korea sends more balloons as Kim Jong Un's sister warns of 'new counteraction'
North Korea sent hundreds more trash-carrying balloons over the border, Seoul's military said Monday, after Kim Jong Un's powerful sister warned of further responses if the South keeps up its "psychological warfare". Seoul's military said the North had sent around 310 trash-carrying balloons overnight, with no more detected in the air by early Monday, the Yonhap news agency reported.
US, South Korea conduct joint bombing drills
The United States flew a B-1B bomber over the Korean Peninsula for the first joint bombing drills with South Korea in seven years, amidst heightened tensions from North Korea's provocations. The US bomber, escorted by South Korean F-15K jets, dropped Joint Direct Attack Munitions during the exercise. South Korea suspended a 2018 inter-Korean military pact and resumed military activities along the demarcation line. The drills aim to reinforce the US extended deterrence commitment and combined defense posture against North Korea's threats.
North Korea sends 600 more trash balloons over border, South says
North Korea sent 600 balloons carrying trash into South Korea, causing anger in the country. The balloons, which contained cigarette butts, cloth, paper waste, and plastic, were found across the capital from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military was monitoring the starting point and conducting aerial reconnaissance to collect the balloons. South Korea's Defence Minister Shin Won-sik said the balloons violated the armistice agreement and reaffirmed a coordinated response to North Korean threats.
North Korea says its latest satellite launch exploded in flight
North Korea's attempt to launch a new military reconnaissance satellite ended in failure on Monday when a newly developed rocket engine exploded in flight. The launch came just hours after Pyongyang issued a warning that it would try to launch a satellite by June 4. The launch became the nuclear-armed North's latest failure, following two other fiery crashes last year. It successfully placed its first spy satellite in orbit in November.
North Korean President Kim Jong-un oversees test of new surface-to-sea missiles
North Korean President Kim Jong-un oversaw the test firing of a new surface-to-sea missile and ordered heightened defense near the western maritime border. The missile, Padasuri-6, was launched the day after South Korea reported multiple North Korean cruise missile launches. This marked North Korea's fifth cruise missile test this year. Kim also ordered a stronger defense posture in waters near South Korean border islands, criticizing South Korea for defending the maritime border, which North Korea does not recognize.
New North Korean nuclear reactor appears to be operational: IAEA
The UN's nuclear agency reported indications of a second operational reactor at North Korea's Yongbyon facility, a core site for their nuclear activities. Warm water discharge, observed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), suggests the new reactor's activity. However, access denial since 2009 restricts the IAEA's confirmation. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed concern over the reactor's contravention of UN resolutions, highlighting the potential plutonium production.
US nuclear-powered submarine arrives at S Korea's Busan port -Yonhap
A U.S. nuclear sub, USS Missouri (SSN-780), docks in Busan after the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group meeting. Both nations affirm no tolerance for North Korea's nuclear attacks in a joint statement. Concerns arise over potential North Korean missile tests. U.S. submarine visits, previously uncommon, now increase under pacts boosting U.S. military presence.
Arrest warrant issued for ex-Samsung Elec official over chip tech leak -Yonhap
Prosecutors on Wednesday sought an arrest warrant for the former official who is accused of giving information related to 18-nano DRAM memory chip technology to China's Changxin Memory Technologies Inc (CXMT). Local media reported that the former official left Samsung for CXMT in 2016.
US' main focus is safe return of soldier, who crossed over into North Korea: White House
North Korea has further claimed that the soldier, Travis King has expressed a willingness to seek refuge there or in a third country. This was Pyongyang's first confirmation of the status of King since he crossed the MDL into the North during a tour to the JSA in the DMZ on July 18.
North Korea fires two ballistic missiles into sea
The launch was reported by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), according to Yonhap, who said they were fired early Wednesday from the Sunan area in Pyongyang, and flew some 550 kilometres (340 miles) before splashing into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
Crypto fugitive Do Kwon sentenced to 4 months in prison for passport forgery
Do Kwon, the co-founder of Terraform Labs, and his aide have been sentenced to four months in prison by a Montenegro court on charges of using forged passports. Kwon and his chief financial officer were arrested in March at Podgorica Airport as they attempted to travel to Dubai. South Korea and the US are seeking Kwon's extradition. The co-founder and his aide had been on the run since fleeing South Korea while under investigation after a Terraform Labs' cryptocurrency crash last year. Interpol has also issued a red notice.
Man who opened Asiana plane door in mid-air tells police he was "uncomfortable" - Yonhap
Man who opened Asiana plane door in mid-air tells police he was "uncomfortable" - Yonhap
S Korea Air Force begins regular large-scale exercise
The eight-day Soaring Eagle exercise began at an air base in Cheongju, 112 kilometre south of Seoul, amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula in the wake of North Korea's firing of a purported solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile last month. The exercise mobilises more than 160 personnel and nearly 60 warplanes, including F-35A stealth fighters, F-15Ks, KF-16s and KC-330 tanker transport aircraft, according to the Air Force, Yonhap news agency reported.
US F-16 jet crashes during training south of Seoul
A US F-16 fighter jet crashed in a farming area south of Seoul during a training exercise on Saturday, said the US military, but appeared to have caused no casualties or property damage. The jet's pilot safely ejected before the crash and was taken to the nearest hospital, the US Air Force said in a statement.
South Korea, US, Japan hold missile defence drills in East Sea
According to Yonhap News Agency, the three nations have been reinforcing security coordination following Pyongyang's provocative acts, such as the launch of a purportedly solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile last Thursday. According to the armed service, the latest exercise features three Aegis-equipped destroyers, the South's ROKS Yulgok Yi I, the US' USS Benfold and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Atago.
North Korea says it tested new solid-fuel "Hwasong-18" ICBM
The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported in state media that Kim, who oversaw Thursday's launch, said the new ICBM would "radically promote the effectiveness of its nuclear counterattack posture and bring about a change in the practicality of its offensive military strategy."
North Korea warns U.S. against intercepting its test missiles
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, warned in a statement that Pyongyang would see it as a "declaration of war" if the U.S. took military action against the North's strategic weapon tests.
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