North Korea has condemned the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, describing them as an 'illegal act of aggression' and a violation of a sovereign nation's rights. The statement was issued by a spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry and reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), citing Al Jazeera.

According to the KCNA report, the spokesperson said that US involvement in the attacks was 'within expectations' and reflected what was described as the United States’ 'hegemonic and gangster-like' nature. The statement further asserted that the aggressive war initiated by the US and Israel was unacceptable under any circumstances.

North Korea called on all parties to respect international law and the United Nations Charter, urging them to refrain from actions that could escalate regional tensions, according to the KCNA report.

North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party has begun its key congress in the capital, Pyongyang, held once every five years. The gathering has drawn attention for possible announcements on the country’s next steps in its nuclear program. In his opening speech, Kim Jong Un called for accelerating economic development, improving living standards, and driving rapid change across all sectors. He also criticized defeatism and poor leadership within the party, which observers interpret as a warning of potential disciplinary actions against some officials.

State media reported that despite hardships since the 2021 congress, the country is entering a new phase of hope and confidence. The congress will set directions on housing construction, economic planning, and military strategy, and it traditionally concludes with a military parade showcasing new weapons. Kim has previously stated that the congress will outline plans to strengthen the nation’s nuclear arsenal, while scientists are believed to be developing smaller warheads for long-range missiles.

Western sanctions continue to pressure North Korea’s economy, aimed at cutting funding for its nuclear program. Analysts suggest Kim may emphasize nuclear progress and closer ties with China and Russia during the event.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inaugurated a new housing project in Pyongyang for the families of soldiers killed while fighting on Russia’s side in the Ukraine war. State media released photos on Monday showing Kim visiting the newly built apartments with his daughter. The initiative is presented as a tribute to the fallen soldiers, described as martyrs, and as a move to strengthen internal unity while reaffirming support for Russia.

According to South Korean and Western intelligence sources cited in the report, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to fight for Russia, with Seoul estimating around two thousand North Korean soldiers killed. Analysts suggest Pyongyang is receiving financial aid, military technology, and supplies of food and fuel from Moscow in return. The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim praised the fallen as heroes who sacrificed their lives for sacred national values.

Although Monday’s report did not directly mention Russia, it follows Kim’s recent pledge of unconditional support for all policies and decisions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has informed lawmakers that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be preparing to designate his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor. The agency raised its earlier assessment of the teenager being the “most likely successor,” according to details shared by South Korean politicians Park Seon-won and Lee Seong-gwon after a closed-door briefing in Seoul. Lee said Kim Ju Ae’s presence has been increasingly highlighted at major national events, including Armed Forces Day and visits to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and that she has begun expressing opinions on some policies.

Yonhap News Agency reported that if Kim Ju Ae attends or receives a title at the ruling Workers’ Party congress later this month, speculation about her succession will intensify. Very little is known about her, though she is believed to be in her teens. Her first public appearance was in 2022 at a missile test, and she has since accompanied her father to multiple state events, including a military parade in Beijing.

The NIS also briefed lawmakers that Kim Jong Un is overseeing the development of a large submarine capable of carrying up to 10 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, possibly powered by a nuclear reactor.

The United Nations Security Council’s sanctions committee is preparing to ease restrictions on humanitarian aid projects in North Korea, according to diplomatic sources in Seoul cited by AFP on Friday. The move comes as the nuclear-armed country remains under multiple international sanctions for its weapons program, while facing a stagnant state-controlled economy and prolonged food shortages.

Sources said that 17 humanitarian projects are currently being implemented in North Korea by major international organizations such as UNICEF, as well as South Korea- and US-based NGOs. Analysts believe the relaxation will allow these groups to deliver nutritional supplements, medical equipment, and water purification systems to the country.

A South Korean foreign ministry official stated that Seoul continues efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to North Korea without political considerations, expressing hope that Pyongyang will respond positively to initiatives for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. The development was reported shortly after a senior South Korean official hinted at possible new progress on North Korea issues.

North Korea has confirmed the test launch of its upgraded long-range large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS). The test, conducted on Tuesday by the country’s Missile Administration, aimed to verify the system’s enhanced technological capabilities. According to the state news agency KCNA, four rockets were fired during the test, striking a maritime target approximately 358 kilometers from the launch site. Leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the launch and described the test as crucial to strengthening the nation’s strategic deterrence.

Kim stated that the system’s strike capability has reached its highest level and asserted that no other country would be able to match this technology in the coming years. He said the results pose a serious threat to forces seeking military confrontation with Pyongyang. Kim also announced that the upcoming Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea will outline the next phase of plans to reinforce the country’s nuclear deterrence.

The report came as Japan and South Korea said North Korea had fired two ballistic missiles into the East Sea earlier this week, marking its second launch this month.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has publicly dismissed his deputy premier, Yang Song Ho, during an official government event. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the dismissal was carried out immediately. Kim sharply criticized government officials, calling them irresponsible, rude, and incompetent, and accused many of becoming accustomed to defeatism, irresponsibility, and inactivity.

KCNA quoted Kim as saying that Yang was unfit to handle heavy responsibilities and described his appointment as a mistake in the leadership selection process. Yang previously served as minister of machinery industry before being promoted to deputy premier overseeing that sector. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that he was also an alternate member of the Workers’ Party leadership council. His successor has not yet been announced.

The public nature of the dismissal and Kim’s strong criticism highlight ongoing dissatisfaction with bureaucratic performance within North Korea’s leadership structure, though no further details were provided on potential replacements or policy changes.

North Korea has issued a strong condemnation of the United States, calling it 'shameless' and accusing Washington of actions that undermine the dignity of the United Nations. The statement, released Monday by Pyongyang’s mission to the UN, described U.S. behavior as a 'heinous crime' and urged that discussions at the UN should focus on such conduct rather than imposing sanctions on other countries.

According to the statement, North Korea views the United States’ actions as showing contempt for the UN. Although no specific incident was mentioned, analysts cited in the report suggested the reaction may have followed international criticism of the U.S. after the detention of Venezuela’s president. The report noted that North Korea remains under long-standing UN Security Council sanctions due to its nuclear and missile programs.

The statement reflects Pyongyang’s continued opposition to U.S. influence in international institutions and its ongoing frustration with global pressure over its weapons development.

North Korea launched two ballistic missiles from its eastern coast, marking its first such test in two months. The launch coincided with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to China, according to TRT World. The previous missile test by Pyongyang took place in November, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump approved South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines.

The missile launches come just before a historic conference of North Korea’s ruling party, the first in five years, where economic and defense strategies are expected to be discussed. In preparation for the meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the construction of additional factories to expand and modernize missile production.

State media reported that Kim recently inspected a weapons production facility and directed a 250 percent increase in production capacity. The timing of the launches and Kim’s directives underscore Pyongyang’s continued emphasis on strengthening its defense capabilities ahead of major political events.

North Korea has conducted a test of long-range cruise missiles under the direct supervision of its leader Kim Jong Un. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missiles flew over the sea west of Pyongyang along designated trajectories and accurately hit their targets. Kim expressed satisfaction with the results and announced that the country would continue sustainable development of its nuclear capabilities.

KCNA did not specify the exact launch site. However, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that its military detected multiple missile launches from the Sunan area near Pyongyang on Sunday morning. The report also suggested that North Korea might conduct additional missile tests before the end of the year.

Kim stated that regular testing of nuclear capabilities is necessary due to ongoing security threats. He emphasized that Pyongyang will persist in its efforts toward unlimited and sustainable advancement of nuclear strength.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the expansion and modernization of the country’s missile production starting in 2026. According to state media reports on Friday, he also directed the construction of new weapons factories to meet growing demand. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim inspected several ammunition and weapons plants with senior officials and instructed them to fulfill the operational needs of the state’s missile and artillery forces.

Kim emphasized that overall production capacity must be increased to keep pace with the armed forces’ requirements, describing missile and ammunition manufacturing as crucial to strengthening war deterrence. In recent years, North Korea has significantly increased missile testing, which analysts say aims to improve strike precision, challenge the United States and South Korea, and test weapons before potential exports to other countries such as Russia.

The report followed news that Kim had visited a nuclear submarine plant, pledging to counter South Korea’s nuclear submarine development and being briefed on research into new underwater weapons. The ruling Workers’ Party is set to hold its first congress in five years in early 2026 to finalize the next five-year economic and military development plan.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the test launch of a new long-range surface-to-air missile from the country’s eastern coast, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The missile reportedly destroyed an aerial target about 200 kilometers away, marking a step in Pyongyang’s development of high-altitude defense technology.

KCNA added that Kim also inspected a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, weighing around 8,700 tons and designed to launch surface-to-air missiles. The project is part of North Korea’s broader naval modernization program, one of five key defense priorities announced by the ruling party. Kim emphasized that global instability makes nuclear and naval modernization “inevitable,” criticizing U.S.–South Korea cooperation on nuclear submarines as a threat to regional security.

The developments come as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin sent a New Year message to Kim, highlighting 2025 as a potentially significant year for Moscow–Pyongyang relations, signaling deepening strategic ties amid global geopolitical shifts.

North Korea conducted its first ballistic missile test in several months on Wednesday, launching multiple short-range missiles from areas near Pyongyang toward the northeast. South Korea’s military reported that the missiles traveled approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles) and landed on land rather than in the sea. The launch comes just a week before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, which will host leaders from the United States, China, and South Korea. The test violates United Nations sanctions and has prompted immediate intelligence sharing between South Korea, the United States, and Japan. In response, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol convened an emergency security meeting with military and intelligence officials. Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the launch posed no immediate threat to Japan, though Tokyo is monitoring developments closely. Analysts view the missile test as a potential political signal ahead of the APEC summit.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he has “pleasant memories” of former U.S. President Donald Trump and is ready for dialogue if Washington abandons its demand for nuclear disarmament. Kim previously met Trump three times during his first term, but talks broke down in 2019 over North Korea’s nuclear concessions. The Korean leader emphasized that peaceful coexistence is possible if the U.S. acknowledges reality. His comments come as Seoul’s new government urges renewed engagement with Trump.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has departed Pyongyang aboard his bulletproof Taeyang-ho train, heading to Beijing for a multilateral diplomatic summit. He will meet leaders including China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, sharing the stage with 26 nations. For security, the 20-hour train journey replaces air travel. The heavily armored train features bulletproof glass, radar-evading netting, and onboard mortars. Kim has used this special train for key international visits since 2018, emphasizing his “armored train diplomacy.”