Allies are returning to large-scale drills as a warning to Pyongyang after records of missile launches from North Korea last year and South Korea’s elimination of anti-Bande operations.

Source: https://houstonianonline.com/us-and-south-korean-forces-are-conducting-the-largest-joint-exercise-in-years/

Although the allies argue that the field exercises are intended for planning their response to a potential North Korean attack, Pyongyang consistently denounces them as a rehearsal for invasion and has in the past countered with missile launches.

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-f16-fighter-jet-crashes-south-korea-b2461744.html

A meeting between Kim Jong-un and CIA director Mike Pompeo in North Korea's capital Pyongyang led to the duo joking about attempts on the world leader's life.

Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/incredible-plot-assassinate-kim-jong-31547252

And he said the United States has tried repeatedly to have an unconditional dialogue with Pyongyang but it has refused.

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/12/20/north-korea-and-russia-clash-with-us-south-korea-and-allies-over-pyongyangs-latest-missile-launch/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=north-korea-and-russia-clash-with-us-south-korea-and-allies-over-pyongya

A nuclear test is a red line for Beijing, and Pyongyang needs economic aid from China to deal with its thorny economic situation.

Source: https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/kim-yo-jong-joins-the-norths-chorus-threatening-response-to-south-korea-us-military-drills/

Any meeting could take place in the Pacific city of Vladivostok, which is relatively close to North Korea, and would come after Russia's minister of defence visited Pyongyang in the summer for talks with Kim.

Source: https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/05/kim-jong-un-to-meet-putin-and-broker-weapons-sales-for-ukraine-war-use

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on any potential economic boost that North Korea is seeing from munition sales to Russia, but said the US remained concerned that Pyongyang will deliver more military equipment to the Wagner Group.

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/01/31/north-korea-could-get-a-vital-lifeline-from-arms-sales-to-russia/

DANDONG, China -- Large cargo trucks have been seen crossing a key bridge for trade between North Korea and China in recent weeks, signaling the reopening of cross-border commerce that could alleviate shortages plaguing Pyongyang.

Source: https://biztoc.com/x/d53cf2f0ca2ef35f?ref=ff

Earlier this week, South Korea called Pyongyang its "enemy" in a defense document -- the first time in six years it has used the term, signaling a further hardening of Seoul's position.

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/politics/north-korea-fires-icbm-missile-that-lands-in-japan%27s-eez

He also said Moscow could help Pyongyang build satellites — after the North failed twice recently to put a military spy satellite into orbit.

Source: https://www.citizen.co.za/news/news-world/putin-accepts-kims-invitation-to-visit-north-korea/

He dodged the issue, however, of military cooperation, saying only that Russia is abiding by the sanctions prohibiting procuring weapons from Pyongyang.

Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/9957157/kim-jong-un-russia-ukraine/

In another sign of the North's post-pandemic opening, KCNA said Saturday that a team of North Korean athletes departed from Pyongyang to participate in the Asian Games starting next week in Hangzhou, China.

Source: https://www.startribune.com/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-inspects-russian-bombers-and-a-warship-on-a-visit-to-russias-far-east/600305080/

Inter-Korean relations have always been difficult, but they have been even more hostile since Yoon took office in May and promised to take a harder position against Pyongyang.

Source: https://www.chiangraitimes.com/news-asia/n-koreas-kim-jong-un-orders-explosive-nuclear-arsenal-expansion/

Japan’s Defense Ministry warned on Monday it would destroy any North Korean missile that enters its territory after Pyongyang notified the country of plans to launch a “satellite” between May 31 and June 11.

Source: https://krdo.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2023/05/29/japan-warns-it-will-destroy-any-north-korean-missile-that-enters-its-territory-after-pyongyang-signals-satellite-launch-imminent/

Ju Ae apparently is Kim’s child who retired NBA star saw during his trip to Pyongyang in 2013.

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kim-jong-un-ap-south-korea-seoul-united-states-b2256599.html

Kim accused Washington and Seoul of trying to “isolate and stifle” Pyongyang with U.S. nuclear strike assets constantly deployed in South Korea, calling it “unprecedented in human history.”

Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1711216/north-koreas-kim-orders-new-icbm-bigger-nuclear-arsenal-amid-tension

Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang General Control Centre of the National Aerospace Technology Administration on Friday to learn about developments in using the spy satellite.

Source: https://www.samfordcrimson.com/kim-jong-un-claims-to-see-us-target-regions-with-spy-satellite-including-pearl-harbor-and-hickam-air-base-2023-11-25.html

Last year, the US, Japan, and South Korea entered a trilateral defense agreement eyeing Pyongyang and Beijing.

Source: https://news.antiwar.com/2023/02/19/north-korea-launches-ballistic-missiles-in-response-to-war-drills/

Later Saturday, Kim visited a local theater to watch Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty ballet performance, Russia’s ambassador to Pyongyang, Alexander Matsegora, was quoted as saying by the Russian RIA Novosti state news agency.

Source: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/world-news/2023/09/north-korean-leader-to-visit-russias-pacific-fleet-as-he-continues-trip-focused-on-arms-cooperation/

Moscow and Pyongyang have promised to boost defense cooperation.

Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1827286/us-says-north-korea-will-pay-a-price-for-any-weapons-supplies-to-russia