N.Korea says may seize S.Korean assets at resort (AFP via Yahoo! News)
North Korea has threatened to seize South Korean assets at a resort in its territory, Seoul officials said Thursday, amid growing impatience at the South’s refusal to let its citizens travel there.
China, South Korea discuss North Korea nuclear stalemate (EARTHtimes.org)
Beijing – The foreign ministers of China and South Korea on Thursday discussed efforts to revive stalled six-nation talks on ending North Korea’s nuclear programme, an official said. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his South Korean counterpa…
Mexico defeats North Korea 2-1 (AP via Yahoo! Sports)
Javier Hernandez scored the winning goal in the 69th minute to lift Mexico to a 2-1 victory over North Korea in an international friendly Wednesday. Cuauhtemoc Blanco gave Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute, scoring on a perfectly directed, 20-meter (yard) free kick in the match between two teams headed to this year’s World Cup.
S Korea, U.S. conclude joint military exercises (People’s Daily)
South Korea and the United States wrapped up Thursday their annual joint military drills denounced by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) as a preparation for invasion, while the DPRK showed no unusual military move, military authorities here said. The 11-day exercises, called the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, were aimed at rehearsing the defense of South Korea in case of emergencies …
Reports: N.Korea executes official over currency chaos (AFP via Yahoo! News)
North Korea has executed a top financial official in a desperate attempt to quell public anger at its bungled currency revaluation, South Korean news reports and analysts said Thursday.
S. African diplomat denies N. Koreans working in S. Africa
A South African diplomat denied Tuesday a South Korean news report that North Korean laborers are working in stadiums across South Africa ahead of the football world cup. ”There is no factual basis to it at all,” South African ambassador-designate to Seoul Hilton Dennis told Kyodo News.
France rules out opening embassy in N.Korea (AFP via Yahoo! News)
France will not open diplomatic relations with North Korea but plans to establish an office there to support non-governmental groups, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Thursday.
North Korea’s Leader Has Billions In European Bank (NPR)
According to Britain’s The Daily Telegraph, North Korea’s aging leader Kim Jong Il has $4 billion hidden away in European banks. The money reportedly comes from sales of nuclear and missile technology, drugs and currency counterfeiting. South Korean officials say the money used to be in Switzerland, until the government there tightened regulations to fight money laundering.
