Category: Seoul, South Korea

S. Korea, US moving to use latest detection gear to counter NK chemical biological threats

South Korea and the United States are moving to employ their latest detection equipment to prepare for North Korean chemical and biological weapons in the joint military drill planned for this year, sources said Sunday. The move is in response to Pyongyang being accused of using the lethal VX nerve agent to kill Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at a crowded airport in Malaysia on Feb. 13. The allies have been conducting the Able Response chemical and biological warfare exercise every year for the past six years.

AP Explains: What chemical weapons N. Korea possesses

North Korea may have found a new use for its large stockpile of chemical and biological weapons, which are meant to attack South Korean and U.S. troops in case of another war. Malaysian police said Friday that a chemical weapon – the toxic VX nerve agent – was used to kill the estranged half brother of Pyongyang’s absolute leader at the Kuala Lumpur airport on Feb. 13. If North Korea’s involvement is confirmed, this would be an unusual and extremely high-profile use of its chemicals in an assassination.

AP Explains: What chemical weapons does N. Korea possess

North Korea may have found a new use for its large stockpile of chemical and biological weapons, which are meant to attack South Korean and U.S. troops in case of another war. Malaysian police said Friday that a chemical weapon – the toxic VX nerve agent – was used to kill the estranged half brother of Pyongyang’s absolute leader at the Kuala Lumpur airport on Feb. 13. If North Korea ‘s involvement is confirmed, this would be an unusual and extremely high-profile use of its chemicals in an assassination.

AP Explains: What chemical weapons does N. Korea possess

North Korea may have found a new use for its large stockpile of chemical and biological weapons, which are meant to attack South Korean and U.S. troops in case of another war. Malaysian police said Friday that a chemical weapon – the toxic VX nerve agent – was used to kill the estranged half brother of Pyongyang’s absolute leader at the Kuala Lumpur airport on Feb. 13. If North Korea ‘s involvement is confirmed, this would be an unusual and extremely high-profile use of its chemicals in an assassination.

North Korea has large chemical weapons stockpile: Seoul

North Korea has not signed a global chemical weapons convention that prohibits the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons. Kim Jong-Nam , the murdered half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un AFP/Toshifumi KITAMURA, Ed JONES SEOUL: North Korea has up to 5,000 tonnes of chemical weapons, South Korean experts said Friday , including the toxin used to assassinate its leader’s half-brother.

N.Korea Blames Seoul for Kim Jong-nam’s Death

North Korea in its first statement on the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of leader Kim Jong-un, alleged a conspiracy orchestrated by South Korea. Without naming Kim Jong-nam, whom it merely described as “a citizen” of North Korea, the official KCNA news agency accused Malaysian authorities of conspiring with South Korea to sabotage the North.

Study: Life expectancy to keep rising, though U.S. to lag behind

While most people born in rich countries will live longer by 2030 – with women in South Korea projected to reach nearly 91 – Americans will continue to have one of the lowest life expectancies of any developed country, a new study predicts. Scientists once thought an average life expectancy beyond 90 was impossible but medical advances combined with improved social programs are continuing to break barriers, including in countries where many people already live well into old age, according to the study’s lead researcher, Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London.

Coco Rocha joined by daughter to ring Nasdaq closing bell

EXCLUSIVE: ‘She cares more about destroying me than her own kids.’ Ex of ‘vindictive’ Lisa Marie Presley hits back at claims she found ‘disturbing’ pictures of children on his computer, promising bombshell revelations about her ‘It’s a fake presidency’: Mika Brzezinski fires back at Trump after the President’s marathon press conference criticizing the media and Morning Joe’s feud with advisor Kellyanne Conway Revealed, the intriguing truth about infidelity: Only men have the adultery gene, career women fuel divorce and men stray most aged 55 to 65 Massachusetts woman ‘is raped and nearly a dozen tourists are bound and robbed’ by masked gunmen at popular Colombian beach resort Manchester United soccer legend Dwight Yorke ‘is denied entry into US’ under Trump’s border laws because of ‘Iranian stamp in his passport’ ‘Far exceeded my expectations’: Face transplant recipient hails staggering … (more)

Donna Air and Kate’s brother James Middleton lucky in love

EXCLUSIVE: ‘She cares more about destroying me than her own kids.’ Ex of ‘vindictive’ Lisa Marie Presley hits back at claims she found ‘disturbing’ pictures of children on his computer, promising bombshell revelations about her ‘It’s a fake presidency’: Mika Brzezinski fires back at Trump after the President’s marathon press conference criticizing the media and Morning Joe’s feud with advisor Kellyanne Conway Will you be able to use your FACE to unlock the iPhone 8? New handset ‘will have a front-facing 3D laser scanner so it recognizes you’ Democrat from ultra-liberal Portland, Oregon says he’s looking at the 25th amendment because he fears for Trump’s mental health ‘I woke up to see a little boy at the end of my bed’: People reveal the creepiest things that have ever happened to them Batten down the hatches: Most powerful storm to hit southern California in years barrels in bringing up … (more)

Acting president pledges to nurture 100 global venture firms by 2020

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Friday pledged to nurture 100 global venture firms by 2020 as part of the government’s efforts to promote startups, create jobs and revitalize the economy. To achieve this goal, the government plans to provide “strategic, tailored” assistance, including legal counseling, to help venture firms prepare for their entry into foreign markets or expand their presence abroad.

Hotel Shilla shares shine amid rumors of Samsung heiress’ rise

Shares of a luxury hotel led by Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s younger sister were on the rise amid rumors that she might fill the group’s leadership vacuum. Shares in Hotel Shilla, led by Lee Boo-jin, the eldest daughter of Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, soared Friday as market watchers speculated the 46-year-old female tycoon may succeed her brother in managing South Korea’s most powerful conglomerate.

Hanjin Shipping ends 40 years of sailing

A court in South Korea has declared the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping, after two weeks of appeals that ended Friday, bringing to a close 40 years of the company’s history as a leading shipping line and leaving challenges for the industry. The demise of the company — once the largest shipping company here and the world’s seventh biggest — began in 2008 in the midst of the financial crisis.

South Korean court approves arrest of Samsung heir

A South Korean court approved on Friday the arrest of a billionaire heir to Samsung accused of bribery and other charges in connection to a massive corruption scandal. The Seoul Central District Court’s decision to issue a warrant to arrest Lee Jae-yong, 48, a vice chairman at Samsung Electronics and the only son of Samsung chair Lee Kun-hee, makes him the first leader in Samsung’s history to be arrested on criminal charges.

More questions than answers in assassination of Jim Jong Un’s half brother

It looks like a perfectly staged assassination, straight out of the pages of a spy novel: Kim Jong Nam, the estranged, exiled half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, falls ill at a Malaysian airport, complains of being sprayed with some sort of chemical, and drops dead. A look at what officials are trying to piece together as they work to reconstruct what appears to be one of the most audacious, mysterious assassinations in recent Asian history: Kim Jong Nam, a jovial, overweight gambler and playboy, had embarrassed Pyongyang before – he tried to sneak into Tokyo Disneyland; he criticized his half brother – but he’s been generally seen more as an annoyance than an existential threat to North Korea’s stability.

Slain brother was complicated part of North Korean dynasty

FILE – This combination of file photos shows Kim Jong Nam, left, exiled half-brother of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, in Narita, Japan, on May 4, 2001, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on May 9, … SEOUL, South Korea – A failed attempt to sneak into Japan to visit Disneyland in 2001 may have doomed the leadership dreams of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s elder brother, who was assassinated this week in an airport in Malaysia. Banished from his father’s favor, Kim Jong Nam frequented casinos and five-star hotels and traveled around Asia, with little say in North Korean affairs.

AP Sources: Justice warned White House about Flynn contacts

Joseph Dunford, left, and National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as he arrives via Air Force One at MacDill Air Forc… . Kellyanne Conway, left, and Stephen Miller, both senior advisers to President Donald Trump, walk to a news conference with President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Feb. 10, 2017, at the White House in Washin… .

Trump ‘evaluating the situation’ involving Flynn, Russia

Joseph Dunford, left, and National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as he arrives via Air Force One at MacDill Air Forc… . Kellyanne Conway, left, and Stephen Miller, both senior advisers to President Donald Trump, walk to a news conference with President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Feb. 10, 2017, at the White House in Washin… .

UN chief condemns NKorea missile test ahead of UN meeting

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch Monday ahead of an urgent meeting of the Security Council. Guterres called the launch “a further troubling violation of Security Council resolutions” and urged North Korea to comply with its international obligations, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.

North Korean missile test may have been big step forward

A man watches a TV news program showing a photo published in North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper of North Korea’s “Pukguksong-2” missile launch, at Seoul Railway station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 13, 2017. In an implicit challenge to President Donald Trump, North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Sunday in its first such test of the year.

UN Security Council meeting sought over NKorea missile test

A man watches a TV news program showing photos published in North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper of North Korea’s “Pukguksong-2” missile launch and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 13, 2017. In an implicit challenge to President Donald Trump, North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Sunday in its first such test of the year.

Trump, Abe express close bonds after NKorea’s missile launch

A man watches a TV news program reporting about North Korea’s missile launch with a file image of a North Korean missile at the Seoul Train Station in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017. North Korea reportedly fired a ballistic missile early Sunday in what would be its first such test of the year and an implicit challenge to President Donald Trump’s new administration.

North Korea test-fires missile, apparently challenging Trump

PYONGYANG, Korea, Democratic People’s Republic Of – In an implicit challenge to President Donald Trump, North Korea appeared to fire a ballistic missile early Sunday in what would be its first such test of the year. After receiving word of the launch, Trump stood at his south Florida estate with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who called the move “intolerable.”

new North Korea reportedly test fires missile, challenging US

In this Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 file photo, South Koreans watch a TV news program showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s New Year’s speech, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea. North Korea reportedly fired a ballistic missile early Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, in what would be its first such test of the year and an implicit challenge to President Donald Trump’s new administration.

North Korea fires missile as tensions rise

North Korea fires missile as tensions rise North Korea fired an unidentified projectile into the sea off its east coast early Sunday local time. Check out this story on northjersey.com: http://usat.ly/2kxZ8BQ US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe posed for photos with their wives on Saturday night before having dinner together at Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

10 Things to Know for Thursday

In this Jan. 21, 2017, file photo, protesters stage a candlelight vigil calling for impeached President Park Geun-hye to step down in Seoul, South Korea. The Pyeongchang Olympics have been drawn into the country’s biggest political scandal in decades.

Why Trump Should Sanction China

As Trump’s Secretary of Defense James Mattis tours Asia to pledge support to our allies, the best form of reassurance would be action against China’s provocative moves in the region. Secretary of Defense James Mattis is now ending his “Mission Reassurance,” the first foreign trip by a Trump administration official.