Josh Smith - The Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Oct 31, 2021

Printing coupons and eating swans typify North Korea's economic and food woes

North Korea has long suffered from food insecurity, with observers saying that mismanagement of the economy is exacerbated by international sanctions over its nuclear weapons.

ASIA PACIFIC

Oct 20, 2021

Arriving in fighter jet, South Korea's Moon Jae-in urges defense industry growth

The military display came a day after North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine.

ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS

Oct 16, 2021

From spy satellites to mobile networks, South Korea hopes new rocket gets space program off ground

Seoul plans to test its first domestically produced space launch vehicle next week, a major step toward ambitious its goals of 6G networks, spy satellites and even lunar probes.

ASIA PACIFIC / Society

Sep 14, 2021

South Korea's lack of anti-discrimination laws takes toll on LGBT youth, activists say

When an anti-discrimination petition gained 100,000 signatures in four days, a petition opposing the measures gathered the same number of signatures just as quickly.

ASIA PACIFIC

Sep 2, 2021

South Korea says it is developing more powerful missiles to deter North Korea

In its defense blueprint, the Defense Ministry said it would develop new missiles 'with significantly enhanced destructive power.'

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Jul 20, 2021

Caught between China and the U.S., Asian countries stockpile powerful new missiles

Asia is sliding into a dangerous arms race as smaller nations that once stayed on the sidelines build arsenals of advanced long-range missiles.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS

Jul 3, 2021

Kim's reshuffles serve to keep North Korea elite in line as crises mount

What may be the most significant reshuffle of top North Korean officials in years by leader Kim Jong Un serves as a warning to the ruling elite, analysts say.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Jun 22, 2021

North Korea ridicules U.S. hopes for talks as allies rethink approach

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said the United States appears to be interpreting signals from Pyongyang in a way that would lead to disappointment.

ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal

Jun 16, 2021

Fear of 'pervasive' digital sex crime affecting life for South Korean women

Many victims have said they have considered suicide or leaving the country, Human Rights Watch said in a report.

ASIA PACIFIC

Apr 20, 2021

For South Korea's youngest 'sea women,' warming seas mean smaller catches

Every year the waters are a little less icy — warming as much as 2.6 times more than the world average — changing the undersea habitat and casting doubt on the future of the 'sea women.'

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Mar 31, 2021

Inter-Korean missile race may leave North Korea with tactical nuclear weapons

North Korea's yearslong quest to develop precision missiles capable of evading detection and striking targets in South Korea has accelerated.

JAPAN

Mar 25, 2021

Japan prods U.S. to fix 'East Sea' reference over North Korea launches

Japan and South Korea have long been at odds over the name of the body of water between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Mar 4, 2021

Biden faces calls to adopt more pragmatic approach on North Korea

No significant breakthroughs were made with Pyongyang under former U.S. President Donald Trump, and a growing number of observers say it's time to try something new.

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 19, 2020

Mysterious North Korea site may be building nuclear components, report says

A mysterious North Korean facility may be producing components for building nuclear bombs, a new report suggests, offering clues to understanding the site near the capital that has perplexed experts and policymakers.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Oct 13, 2020

'I have failed': North Korea's Kim shows tearful side in confronting hardships

North Korea watchers say Kim has also sought to portray himself as a more traditional political leader than his eccentric father, Kim Jong Il.

ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS

Mar 26, 2020

North Korea shows confidence in face of coronavirus outbreak

With international focus on the coronavirus, North Korea has doubled down on its missile development and military exercises in recent weeks while signaling new confidence that it has dodged an outbreak of its own.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Jan 27, 2020

North Korea urges citizens to 'break through barriers' as nuclear standoff continues

While a North Korean deadline for the United States to soften its stand on denuclearization talks passed uneventfully over the New Year, state media and propaganda efforts have been focusing on the prospect of a long confrontation with the United States.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Sep 11, 2019

South Korea surges ahead of North in building up military

South Korea and North Korea have continued to pour resources into modernizing their militaries despite a frenzy of diplomacy since 2018, creating tension that has sharpened as talks have stalled.

ASIA PACIFIC

Jun 18, 2019

Chinese raids target 'Underground Railroad' of North Korean defectors

A decade after leaving her family behind to flee North Korea, the defector was overwhelmed with excitement when she spoke to her 22-year-old son on the phone for the first time in May after he too escaped into China.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

May 11, 2019

'Missiles like these will start the war': North Korean tests showcase growing capability

North Korea's second missile test on Thursday signals it is serious about developing new, short-range weapons that could be used early and effectively in any war with South Korea and the United States, analysts studying images of the latest launches say.

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