Sonu Sood

After months of analysis, the Pentagon released the results of the 2021 Global Posture Review (GPR) on Monday (US time), which included its decision to permanently station a previously rotational Apache attack helicopter unit and artillery division headquarters in South Korea, reported Yonhap news agency.

The announcement comes after reports revealed that the North appears to be continuing the operation of a nuclear reactor at its mainstay Yongbyon complex, reports Yonhap News Agency. 38 North, a US monitoring website, said on Wednesday steam was detected emanating from the 5-megawatt reactor in an indication at least one generator is in operation, citing recent satellite imagery. Asked to comment on the report, deputy Ministry spokesman Cha Duck-chul declined to confirm "intelligence matters" but said the government is keeping tabs on the North's nuclear facilities.

North Korea is one of 10 countries designated as "country of particular concern", Yonhap News Agency quoted Blinken as saying in a statement on Wednesday. "I am designating Burma, the People's Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated 'systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom'," Antony Blinken added.

Daniel Kritenbrink, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, arrived at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, after wrapping up a four-day trip to Japan, the first leg of his six-day regional swing. It comes as Seoul pushes to strengthen joint efforts with Washington to resume dialogue with Pyongyang while navigating the increasingly convoluted geopolitics marked by an intensifying Sino-US rivalry, Yonhap news agency reported.

This letter was also marked to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Yonhap News Agency reported quoting Korean American Public Action Committee (KAPAC). The letter was signed by Democratic Representative from California, Brad Sherman, and 22 other lawmakers, according to the KAPAC.

North Korea conducted a series of missile launches in the last two months, including a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test in October, reports Yonhap News Agency. "Our strengthening of self-defence capabilities is an inevitable choice to prevent a war and protect our country's sovereignty, dignity and the people's right to survival and improvement," the ministry said in a note posted on its website.

Moon made the offer during a meeting with the Pope at the Vatican on Friday, saying a papal visit to North Korea will serve as momentum for bringing peace on the Korean Peninsula, reports Yonhap News Agency. The Pope encouraged Moon, saying: "I am willing to go there for peace and help all of you if (North Korea) sends a letter of invitation," according to Park.

In the remarks carried by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency, the spokesperson for the Korea Association for Human Rights Studies berated Tomas Ojea Quintana for having accused the North of rights violations during a recent UN General Assembly session.

The day of the report marks the 71st anniversary of Beijing's participation in the 1950-52 Korean War. Rodong Sinmun, the official paper of North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea further said that the two socialist countries have vowed to continue their ties. North Korea has been seeking to boost rapport with its traditional ally amid an impasse in nuclear negotiations with the US.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) dismissed reports that claimed Kim Yo-jong ousted Kim Jong-un after a coup, reports Yonhap News Agency. A separate government official also said such reports are not true. Citing a report from US-based tabloid "Globe", some news outlets here said Kim Yo-jong staged a coup between May 6 and June 5, and removed Kim Jong-un from the post. The report claimed Kim Jong-un at recent events is actually an impostor, pointing out that his appearance is different than the past, with substantial weight loss.