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Kang Jin-kyu AFP

North Korea's Kim oversees test of high-thrust engine: state media

North Korea's Kim oversees test of high-thrust engine: state media

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the ground test of an upgraded rocket engine, state media reported on Sunday, marking another key step in its weapons programme. Defence experts believe North Korea is planning to use its solid-fuel rocket engines for launching intercontinental ballistic missiles. The engines enable

Belarus leader visits North Korea for first time

Belarus leader visits North Korea for first time

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko began his first official visit to North Korea Wednesday, with the two countries united by Western sanctions, closeness to Russia and accusations of rights violations. Belarusian state news agency Belta reported that that the two sides would sign during the two-day visit a treaty of

N. Korea's Kim vows 'irreversible' nuclear status, warns Seoul of 'merciless' response

N. Korea's Kim vows 'irreversible' nuclear status, warns Seoul of 'merciless' response

North Korea will never give up nuclear weapons, leader Kim Jong Un said, indicating that it will soon designate South Korea the "most hostile state", according to a state media report on Tuesday. Kim also told the country's rubber-stamp legislature in a policy address on

Behind the BTS comeback, the dark side of K-pop

Behind the BTS comeback, the dark side of K-pop

K-pop oozes with talent, flair and hard work, but the spectacularly successful South Korean music industry also has a dark side -- sometimes with tragic results. Ahead of BTS's comeback concert on Saturday, AFP looks at the intense competition, the gruelling training, the tight control over stars'

Kings of K-pop: What to know about BTS's comeback

Kings of K-pop: What to know about BTS's comeback

BTS, the world's biggest boy band, reunites on stage on Saturday in a K-pop extravaganza watched by hundreds of thousands of fans in downtown Seoul and by millions around the planet online. AFP gives the lowdown on what to know ahead of the concert -- BTS's

'East meets West': KPop Demon Hunters brings global fans to Seoul's sites

'East meets West': KPop Demon Hunters brings global fans to Seoul's sites

Australian visitor Nhung Nguyen made the hike up steep steps to a stunning Seoul park precisely because of its star turn in mega-hit "KPop Demon Hunters". The real-life settings of the animated film, fresh off a double Oscars win, have become a pilgrimage site for fans

Ex-South Korea leader Yoon gets life in prison for insurrection

Ex-South Korea leader Yoon gets life in prison for insurrection

A South Korean court declared former president Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid in 2024 an insurrection, sentencing the disgraced leader to life in prison on Thursday. Yoon abruptly declared martial law in a televised address in December 2024, saying drastic measures were needed to root out "