NK weekly-external news
Summary of external news of North Korea this week
SEOUL, July 26 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of external news in North Korea this week.
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(LEAD) N. Korea's economy expands 3.1 pct in 2023, snapping 3-yr contraction: BOK report
SEOUL -- North Korea's economy grew by more than 3 percent last year, rebounding from a contraction for a third consecutive year on the back of steady improvement of the manufacturing sector and trade with its allies Russia and China, a central bank report showed Friday.
The country's economy is estimated to have advanced 3.1 percent last year, following a 0.2 percent contraction in 2022, a 0.1 percent dip in 2021 and a 4.5 percent decrease in 2020, according to the report from the Bank of Korea.
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(LEAD) U.S. sets up $10 million reward for info on N.K. malicious cyber actor
WASHINGTON -- The United States offered Thursday to provide a reward of up to US$10 million for information on a North Korean cyber actor targeting America's critical infrastructure, as it strives to prevent Pyongyang's ability to generate revenue through illicit means to fund its weapons programs.
The State Department announced the reward, accusing Rim Jong-hyok -- a North Korean national associated with a cyber group known as Andariel -- and others of being involved in malicious cyberactivities targeting U.S. hospitals, government entities, defense contractors and others.
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(2nd LD) U.S. sanctions China-based individuals, entities accused of supporting N.K. missile, space programs
WASHINGTON -- The United States on Wednesday slapped sanctions on a China-based network of six individuals and five entities for their alleged involvement in the procurement of items supporting North Korea's ballistic missile and space programs.
The Treasury Department issued the sanctions after Pyongyang's persistent launches using ballistic missile technology, including a failed attempt at a military spy satellite launch in May, in breach of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
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U.S. voices concerns over N.K.-Russia cooperation after Moscow official's visit to Pyongyang
WASHINGTON -- The United States reiterated its concerns Wednesday over growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, after Russia's vice defense minister visited Pyongyang last week in a sign of deepening bilateral ties.
Matthew Miller, the State Department's spokesperson, made the remarks, hours after the Treasury Department issued sanctions on six individuals and five entities accused of being involved in the procurement of items supporting the North's ballistic missile and space programs.
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N. Korea presumed to have sent over 5 mln artillery shells to Russia: minister
SEOUL/TOKYO -- North Korea is believed to have sent containers that can carry more than 5 million artillery shells to Russia, South Korea's defense chief has said, amid persistent concerns over deepening military cooperation between the two nations.
Among shipments presumed to have been delivered to Russia from North Korea as of July 15 were containers that can hold some 5.2 million artillery shells as well as scores of short-range ballistic missiles, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said in an interview published in the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper earlier in the day.
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(Olympics) N. Korea to have 16 athletes in 7 sports in Paris
PARIS -- Making its first Summer Olympics appearance in eight years, North Korea will have 16 athletes competing in seven sports in Paris, data showed Tuesday.
According to the organizing committee for Paris 2024, North Korea will have 12 female and four male athletes in artistic gymnastics, athletics, boxing, swimming, diving, judo, table tennis and wrestling.
North Korean artistic gymnast An Chang-ok prepares for the Paris Olympics in the training facility inside the International Broadcast Centre in Paris on July 22, 2024. (Yonhap)
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(LEAD) Kim may try to reignite 'bromance' with Trump if he returns to White House: ex-Trump official
WASHINGTON -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may try to rekindle his "bromance" with former President Donald Trump if he returns to the White House, a former U.S. official said Monday, predicting Kim could propose a deal to limit his regime's nuclear program in return for American troops' pullout from South Korea.
H.R. McMaster, who served as national security advisor for Trump from 2017-2018, made the remarks amid speculation that the GOP presidential nominee, if reelected, could seek direct diplomacy with Kim in pursuit of a peace deal.
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