N. Korea sentences US reporters to 12 years labor

Jun 08, 2009 - N. Korea sentences US reporters to 12 years labor By VIJAY JOSHI, Associated Press Writer Vijay Joshi, SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea convicted two American journalists and sentenced them Monday to 12 years of hard labor, intensifying the reclusive nation's confrontation with the United States. Washington said it would "engage in all possible channels" to win the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for former Vice President Al Gore's San Francisco-based Current TV media venture. - 18 Comments

North Korea may fire a missile toward Hawaii

Jun 18, 2009 - North Korea may fire a missile toward Hawaii By HYUNG-JIN KIM, Associated Press Writer SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea may fire a long-range ballistic missile toward Hawaii in early July, a Japanese news report said Thursday, as Russia and China urged the regime to return to international disarmament talks on its rogue nuclear program. The missile, believed to be a Taepodong-2 with a range of up to 4,000 miles (6,500 kilometers), would be launched from North Korea's Dongchang-ni site on the northwestern coast, said the Yomiuri daily, Japan's top-selling newspaper. It cited an analysis by the Japanese Defense Ministry and intelligence gathered by U.S. - 6 Comments

North Korea Issues Pardons

Aug 04, 2009 - SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has issued a "special pardon" to two American journalists convicted of sneaking into the country illegally, and he ordered them released during a visit by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, North Korean media reported early Wednesday. The release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee was a sign of North Korea's "humanitarian and peaceloving policy," the Korean Central News Agency reported. - 51 Comments

N. Korea Fired Improved Scud Missile

Jul 07, 2009 - Associated Press Sunday, July 05, 2009 SEOUL, South Korea — A barrage of ballistic missiles that North Korea test-fired over the weekend may have included a new type of a Scud with an extended range and improved accuracy that poses a threat to Japan, a South Korean newspaper reported Monday. Pyongyang launched seven missiles into waters off its east coast Saturday in a show of force that defied U.N. resolutions and drew international condemnation. - 7 Comments

No better nuclear deal for N.Korea after Bush-envoy

Dec 17, 2008 - By Paul Eckert, Asia Correspondent WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea, which is resisting verification of its atomic programs, should not expect the incoming Obama administration to offer easier terms, the top U.S. nuclear negotiator said on Tuesday. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said talks in Beijing last week broke down over North Korea's unwillingness to commit to inspections and other steps that are "standard the world over" when verifying nuclear disarmament. - 1 Comment

North Korea launches perfect Italian pizza

Mar 18, 2009 - By Peter Foster in Beijing (Telegraph.co.UK) It has taken almost 10 years of work, but North Korea has acquired the technology to launch a project very dear to its leader's heart - the nation's first "authentic" Italian pizzeria. The launch of Pyongyang's first Italian restaurant meanwhile brings to fruition a ten-year effort by Kim Jong-il - a renowned gourmand and lover of western food - to create the perfect pizza and pasta in his homeland. Related Articles US and China in secret talks on N Korea chaos fears after Kim Jong-il 'stroke' North Korea to be removed from terror blacklist after nuclear disclosure, says George Bush North Korea hands over nuclear data and US agrees to lift trade embargo North Korea 'to test missile capable of reaching US territory' North Korea celebrates Kim Jong-il's birthdayLast year a delegation of local chefs was sent by Kim to Naples and Rome to learn the proper Italian techniques after their homegrown efforts to mimic Italian cuisine were found by Kim to contain "errors". - 4 Comments

Journalists Set for Trial in North Korea

Jun 02, 2009 - They are held alone in separate rooms and only occasionally allowed outside. In 12 weeks they have had one visitor. They pass the time with exercises, meditating and frequent weeping. - 1 Comment

North Korea's "Official" News

Jun 23, 2009 - http://www.kcna.co.jp/index-e.htm I was on Mental Floss this morning and they had an article on the "official news" North Korea is delivering to their citizens. It's nothing new for such a country to print only the news they wish others to hear...pure propaganda. But it made me a little more thankful for the freedom we exercise in America. - 8 Comments