NK weekly-external news
Summary of external news of North Korea this week
SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of external news in North Korea this week.
------------
Sullivan stresses U.S.' commitment to 'complete' Korean Peninsula denuclearization
WASHINGTON -- National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Thursday that he reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula during his talks with top Chinese officials in Beijing this week.
Sullivan made the remarks during a press conference in the Chinese capital amid lingering concerns in South Korea over the absence of references to the denuclearization goal in recently adopted Democratic and Republican policy platforms.
------------
S. Korea, U.S. wrap up key summertime military exercise against N. Korean threats
SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States on Thursday wrapped up a major combined military exercise after its 11-day run as the allies sought to bolster their joint defense readiness against evolving North Korean military threats.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, which began on Aug. 19, came amid persistent concerns over Pyongyang's weapons development and heightened inter-Korean tensions worsened by the North's recent trash balloon campaign.
------------
Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, U.S. discuss efforts to block N. Korea's illicit funding
SEOUL -- The deputy nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States have discussed ways to work together to cut off North Korea's sanctions-evading funding channels, such as illegal cyberactivities and ship-to-ship transfers, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.
The talks took place in New York on Monday (local time) between Lee Jun-il, director general for Korean Peninsula policy, and Seth Bailey, deputy special representative for North Korea, ahead of a symposium on North Korea's cyberthreats.
------------
(LEAD) N. Korea has yet to allow entry of U.N. resident coordinator appointed in March
WASHINGTON -- North Korea has not yet allowed the entry of a U.N. resident coordinator appointed nearly six months ago, a U.N. official said Tuesday, noting discussions with Pyongyang still continue over the return of international staff to the reclusive country.
In March, Joe Colombano of Italy assumed his role as the coordinator for the North in an appointment that the U.N. said was confirmed by Pyongyang. But he and dozens of other U.N. personnel have yet to enter North Korea to resume their work in the North.
------------
N. Korea sent over 13,000 containers suspected of carrying arms to Russia: lawmaker
SEOUL -- North Korea has sent more than 13,000 shipping containers suspected of carrying arms to Russia since mid-2022 amid deepening bilateral military ties, a lawmaker said Tuesday, citing a military intelligence report.
The North delivered the shipments that could hold more than 6 million 152-millimeter artillery shells through its eastern port of Najin over the roughly two-year period, according to a Defense Intelligence Agency report submitted to Rep. Kang Dae-sik of the ruling People Power Party.
------------
S. Korea seeks 3.6 pct rise in defense budget for 2025
SEOUL -- The defense ministry on Tuesday requested a 3.6 percent increase in defense spending next year to bolster capabilities to respond to evolving North Korean military threats.
Earlier in the day, the Cabinet endorsed the proposed budget of 61.59 trillion won (US$46.3 billion) for 2025, compared with 59.42 trillion won this year.
------------
Pentagon spokesman calls N. Korea 'complicit' in Russia's invasion of Ukraine
WASHINGTON -- A Pentagon spokesperson accused North Korea Monday of being "complicit" in Russia's war in Ukraine as he reiterated the United States' concerns over Pyongyang's provision of munitions and other military equipment to Moscow.
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder made the accusation during a press briefing in response to a question of whether Pyongyang is able to secure enough missiles for 250 launchers that it has said would be deployed to front-line areas.
------------
Yoon, U.S. Senate's armed service committee chief discuss alliance, N.K. threats
SEOUL -- President Yoon Suk Yeol met with the head of the U.S. Senate's armed service committee Monday to discuss ways to bolster the combined defense posture against North Korean threats, his office said.
During the talks with U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) in Seoul, Yoon stressed the need to advance the bilateral alliance and trilateral cooperation involving Japan to effectively deter North Korean threats, the presidential office said.
(END)
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
