North Korea

July 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) said today that reports of cyber attacks by North Korea are another example of why the United States needs to be better armed to fight these alarming 21st century security threats.

As chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security, Sen. Carper has been pushing to increase protections against just such cyber attacks as those reported this week against U.S. and South Korean government websites.    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- Senator Mark Begich released the following statement in response to news that North Korea is preparing to test an advanced missile capable of traveling 4,000 miles, a distance that would put population centers in Alaska and U.S. bases on the Pacific island of Guam within striking distance:

"The latest action by North Korea reinforces the need for us to complete the fielding of the final 14 interceptors at Fort Greely for a total of 40. I made the case yesterday to Defense Secretary Gates on our tour at Greely, and I will continue to push for full funding of this program as we need a fully deployed system to adequately protect Alaska, Hawaii and the rest of the country against rogue nations like North Korea.    » read more »

May 25, 2009 -- President Obama spoke today with Japanese Prime Minister Aso to review the situation following North Korea's nuclear test.

The President underscored that North Korea's nuclear test was a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions and therefore warranted a collective response by the international community.

The two leaders agreed that continued close bilateral cooperation is imperative, and decided to intensify coordination with the Republic of Korea as well as with China and Russia. They pledged to work closely in the United Nations Security Council to obtain a resolution with concrete measures to curtail North Korea's nuclear and missile activities.    » read more »

May 25, 2009 -- The President spoke to Republic of Korea President Lee Myung-bak this evening to consult and coordinate our reaction to the North Korean nuclear test.

The two Presidents agreed that the test was a reckless violation of international law that compels action in response. They agreed to work closely together to seek and support a strong United Nations Security Council resolution with concrete measures to curtail North Korea's nuclear and missile activities.

President Obama assured President Lee of the unequivocal commitment of the United States to the defense of the Republic of Korea. President Obama expressed his appreciation to President Lee for the decision by the Republic of Korea to join the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).    » read more »

May 25, 2009 -- "Today, North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law. It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch. These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations. North Korea's attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as well as its ballistic missile program, constitute a threat to international peace and security.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- Today in the Wall Street Journal Asia, John McCain writes that "American leadership is also needed on North Korea." Yet he goes on to describe a method for action that would bring us back to Bush Administration policies that didn't work with North Korea for six years and made America less safe.

John McCain: Photo by Jason Means (CC)    » read more »

Chicago, IL -- April 25, 2008 -- "I am deeply disturbed by the evidence of North Korea's assistance to an illicit nuclear program in Syria. This represents a dangerous and completely unacceptable development.

Unfortunately, it comes after nearly eight years of a failed policy that has been long on tough talk and short on results, as North Korea has withdrawn from the Nuclear Nonproliferation treaty, quadrupled its stockpile of plutonium, resumed testing of long range missiles, detonated a nuclear weapon, and exported nuclear technology to Syria.    » read more »

Reports to Air on all ABC News Broadcasts and Platforms Beginning Friday, February 22

Thursday, February 21, 2008 -- With the New York Philharmonic set to perform a live concert from Pyongyang, ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff will report from inside North Korea on the Philharmonic's historic visit, beginning Friday, February 22. While there Woodruff will also report on the ongoing denuclearization process.    » read more »

26 January 2008 -- North Korea has called for a peace treaty formally ending the Korean War to be signed as soon as possible, to ease military tensions with the United States.

The call was made in a commentary published by the Rodong daily, the newspaper of the North's ruling Workers' Party. It said now is the right time for a peace treaty to replace the armistice that has been in place since 1953.

The Korean peninsula is technically still at war since the fighting ended.    » read more »

January 24, 2008 -- In March 2007, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) took the unprecedented step of suspending its operations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly known as North Korea. In April, the UNDP withdrew from the country entirely, because North Korea had declined to allow UNDP to impose tighter controls on its activities to increase transparency and accountability.    » read more »

October 3, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today made the following statement on the announcement that North Korea has agreed to declare and disable its nuclear program by the end of the year.

“I welcome today's announcement that North Korea will fully declare and disable its nuclear program by the end of the year.

It remains clear, however, that while this is an important step in the right direction, more remains to be done to ensure complete and irreversible disarmament of North Korea's nuclear program.    » read more »

24 September 2007 -- North Korea says flooding caused by last week's typhoon, Wipha, has destroyed 14,000 homes and 109,000 hectares of crops.

The state news agency KCNA reported the damage Monday. It says the floods also destroyed or damaged 8,000 public buildings and washed out roads, bridges and railways. The report did not mention any deaths or injuries.

Most of the heavy rains and flooding occurred in the southwestern part of the country, including the capital, Pyongyang.    » read more »

02 October 2007 -- The United States said Tuesday it has approved a draft six-nation accord under which North Korea will declare and disable its nuclear programs by the end of the year in exchange for aid and diplomatic benefits. China is expected to release the document within the next day or two.

U.S. officials say the latest round of six-party talks, which ended Sunday in Beijing, was not originally intended to produce a document.    » read more »

23 September 2007, Tianjin, China (By Jim Stevenson) -- Top ranked United States and defending champion Germany have advanced to the semifinals of the Women's World Cup football (soccer) tournament in China. VOA's Jim Stevenson reports both teams had similar paths to the semifinal round.

The United States and Germany each faced an opponent that put up a strong fight in the first half of their quarterfinal games Saturday. England held the United States scoreless until the 48th minute    » read more »

18 September 2007, Shanghai, China (By Jim Stevenson) -- The United States has defeated Nigeria, 1-0, to reach the quarterfinal round of the Women's World Cup football tournament in China. VOA's Jim Stevenson was at the game in Shanghai, where the Americans dominated in a soggy and sparsely filled stadium.

As bands of rain periodically drenched the field from the approach of typhoon Wipha, the U.S. women stormed to a quick lead against Nigeria in the opening minute. Midfielder Lori Chalupny easily chipped in a loose ball in front of the goal.    » read more »