Latest North Korea News
Occupying the Northern half of the Korean peninsula, North Korea is one of the world's most closed societies often criticized for its violation of human rights.
Korea was independent for most of its history, but was occupied by Japan in 1905 during the Russo-Japanese war. It was divided into Soviet and American occupied zones following World War II. Both North and South Korea claimed sovereignty of the entire peninsula, which led to the Korean War, lasting from 1950 to 1953. An armistice ended the fighting, but the countries are still officially at war with each other - a peace treaty was never signed.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was founded under President Kim Il-so'ng, and operates under the principal of economic and diplomatic "self reliance" as a hedge against other communist powers. Because of the government's secretive nation and its isolation - very few foreigners visit - it is often called "The Hermit Kingdom." Cellular phone access is limited and international calls are illegal, except for the political elite. Internet use is also limited for most of the population.
The single-party state is currently led by Kim Jong Il, and the nation's long-range missile development as well as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs concern the international community. During the 1990s, after years of economic mismanagement, the country started relying on international aid in order to help feed its population, but still spends considerable resources on its military, following the Songun doctrine - or "military first."
In 2002, President George W. Bush called North Korea part of the "axis of evil" and a "outpost of tyranny." While talks between the United States and North Korea are ongoing, there are no formal diplomatic relations - and no exchange of ambassadors. President Bill Clinton visited in August in 2009 and spoke with Kim Jong Il in order to exchange the release of two American journalists who were said to have entered the country illegally.
In September 2010, Kim Jong-un was made a four star general and given positions in the national party. Many analysts think this means he will succeed his father Kim Jong Il, who is thought to be in poor health.
See below for the latest news and video reports on North Korea.
- Play CBS Video North Korea
- Play CBS Video Emergency U.S. aid for North Korea
- Play CBS Video North Korea ready to restart nuke talks?
- Play CBS Video U.S. and South Korea stage military exercise
- Play CBS Video Saving North Korean orphans
- Play CBS Video Will Middle East crises spread to North Korea?
- Play CBS Video State of the Union 2011 In Full
- Play CBS Video Flash Points: President Hu Goes to Washington
- Play CBS Video Evening News Online, 01.18.10
- U.S. to renew N. Korea nuclear talks
Obama administration appoints a new envoy amid renewed efforts to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear program
Read Full Story » - US sending emergency aid to North Korea
U.S. has said it will provide North Korea $900,000 in emergency aid through U.S. charities
Read Full Story » - Russia: N. Korea ready to talk, halt nuke tests
Kim Jong Il reportedly tells President Dmitry Medvedev North is willing to halt tests if long-stalled 6-party talks resume
Read Full Story » - North Koreans vote in rubber-stamp elections
"Songs reverberated throughout the country" as North Koreans participated in election designed to strength the Kims' rule
Read Full Story » - N. Koreans caught doping at World Cup
FIFA finds 5 women testing positive for steroids; North Korea claims musk deer gland extract was used for medical purposes
Read Full Story » - Equatorial Guinea falls 1-0 in World Cup debut
Norway beats Women's World Cup newcomers playing their first official match outside of Africa
Read Full Story » - U.S. beats N. Korea 2-0 in Women's World Cup
Lauren Cheney and Rachel Buehler score second-half goals as Americans open play at World Cup with a win
Read Full Story » - New Korea tensions over reported missile movements
Local papers say that South Korea has redeployed missiles close to the border with North Korea
Read Full Story » - Seoul: N. Korea may have nuke warhead technology
Pyongyang may have mastered miniaturization technology to mount nuclear warhead on missile, S. Korea defense chief says
Read Full Story » - NYT: Myanmar-bound N. Korea ship stopped by U.S.
New York Times reports U.S. Navy forced North Korean ship suspected of carrying missile technology to turn around
Read Full Story » - North Korea frees American detained for half year
Man held by N. Korea for a half year, reportedly for proselytizing, will return to the United States after being brought to Beijing by U.S. envoy
Read Full Story » - N. Korea to free American man Eddie Jun
Man held since November, reportedly for proselytizing, to go free after N. Korea says U.S. envoy expressed regret
Read Full Story » - N. Korea's Kim in Beijing on rare trip abroad
Kim Jong Il travels by armored train to solidify ties with neighbor and key ally
Read Full Story » - U.S. team flies to N. Korea as Kim visits China
Group led by senior American envoy will assess concerns about food shortages in the reclusive communist nation
Read Full Story » - Carter: NKorea wants guarantees to give up nukes
Former president says Pyongyang has demanded U.S. security guarantees in return for abandoning its nuclear weapons programs
Read Full Story »