North Korean leader Kim Jong Un doubled down on his arms buildup in face of what he described as an aggravating security environment as he concluded a major political conference that came as U.S. and South Korean officials said his plans to conduct another nuclear test explosion was imminent.
Kim's comments published by North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Saturday didn't include any direct criticism of the United States or rival South Korea amid a prolonged deadlock in nuclear diplomacy during the three days of discussions that wrapped up Friday.
The plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee also reviewed key state affairs, including efforts to slow a COVID-19 outbreak the North first acknowledged last month and progress in economic goals Kim is desperate to keep alive amid strengthened virus restrictions. North Korea has restricted movement of people and supplies between regions, but large groups of workers have continued to gather at farms and industrial sites, being driven to shore up an economy decimated by decades of mismanagement, U.S.-led sanctions over Kim's nuclear ambitions and pandemic border closures.
The COVID-19 outbreak hasn't slowed Kim's pressure campaign aimed at forcing the United States to accept the idea of North Korea as a nuclear power and negotiating economic and security concessions from a position of strength.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
North Korean ruling party meets amid expectation of nuclear testNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a key political conference where he's expected to review major state affairs, including a fight against COVID-19, and possibly address external relations with Washington and Seoul amid revived nuclear brinkmanship.
Read more »
South Korean truckers broaden strike action to chips; Hyundai output slidesKorean truckers strike, disrupting production at Hyundai
Read more »
North Westside residents delve into Central Okanagan governance, services - Okanagan | Globalnews.caThe consulting group will collect all the information and present recommendations and options for possible improvements.
Read more »
Two suspects make off with vehicle after armed carjacking in North YorkToronto police are responding to an armed carjacking in North York Wednesday night.
Read more »
In documentary The Confession, a South Korean veteran wrestles with taboos and the part he played in Vietnam War atrocitiesSong Jung-geun, a 78-year-old South Korean pastor, is one of a number of veterans who are speaking out about their own roles in the Vietnam War, and the atrocities they say they saw and committed
Read more »
North Korean ruling party meets amid expectation of nuclear testNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a key political conference where he's expected to review major state affairs, including a fight against COVID-19, and possibly address external relations with Washington and Seoul amid revived nuclear brinkmanship.
Read more »