It would mark the first high-ranking visit by a U.N. official to North Korea since his predecessor Lynn Pascoe traveled to the North in February 2010 and former U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos went there in October 2011.
NEW YORK/SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) — A senior United Nations official will visit North Korea this week for “wide-ranging” discussions, a spokesman said Monday, amid heightened tensions over the regime’s latest missile test.
Jeffrey Feltman, undersecretary general for political affairs, will travel to Pyongyang Tuesday to discuss “issues of mutual interest and concern” with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho and others, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. He plans to stay for four days.
“The visit is in response to a longstanding invitation from the authorities in Pyongyang for policy dialogue with the U.N.,” he told reporters, according to multiple news reports. “It will be a wide-ranging discussion.”
Feltman’s visit will come a week after North Korea test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile apparently capable of striking anywhere on the U.S. mainland.
The North declared that it has completed its “state nuclear force” with the latest Hwasong-15 test.
He will meet with North Korean government officials, U.N. officials and the diplomatic corps there, the spokesman said.
This photo, taken by AFP on Dec. 4, 2017, shows Jeffrey Feltman, the U.N. undersecretary general for political affairs, who will visit North Korea this week. (Yonhap)
It would mark the first high-ranking visit by a U.N. official to North Korea since his predecessor Lynn Pascoe traveled to the North in February 2010 and former U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos went there in October 2011.
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon planned to visit the now-shuttered inter-Korean industrial complex in North Korea’s border city of Kaesong in May 2015, but the North abruptly canceled its approval for the trip.
Experts expect that Feltman’s visit may set the tone for Pyongyang to come to the negotiation table.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his willingness to serve as a mediator to resolve the problem of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
South Korea’s unification ministry also voiced hope that Feltman’s trip could help the North change its course.
“We hope that the visit can pave the way for North Korea to come to dialogue,” said a ministry official said, asking not to be named.
Licorne test 1971, French Polynesia Photo: The Official CTBTO Photostream
N.K. leader may make official completion of ‘nuke force’ in New Year’s message: Seoul
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may make the completion of its nuclear program official in his New Year’s message, a Seoul official said Tuesday.
The North announced last week that it has completed its “state nuclear force” with the launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which it claims is capable of striking anywhere in the United States.
Kim is likely to declare the achievement in his New Year’s speech, a South Korean unification ministry official said.
“After that, the North may unveil its stance on how to carry out the so-called byongjin policy,” the official said, referring to Kim’s signature dual-track policy of seeking nuclear armament and economic growth in tandem.
Seoul has rejected Pyongyang’s unilateral claim to have completed its nuclear program, saying that there are doubts about the North’s missile capability, including the re-entry and terminal guidance technology.
Experts said that the North is likely to shift its focus to ways to bolster its feeble economy in the face of tougher international sanctions.
The ministry official also said that there is a need to watch how or whether the North would hold a meeting of “Mallima pacesetters.”
Mallima is an imaginary horse that can run extreme distances at a very high speed. The term is used in North Korea to highlight the country’s push to get people to produce results quickly.
North Korea announced in January its plan to hold a conference under the new slogan for self-reliance at the end of this year. The conference would involve top performers who are leading efforts to overcome the country’s economic difficulties. But the North’s media has barely mentioned it.
SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) — North Korea released photos of its new long-range ballistic missile Thursday, which features a different warhead shape from the previous version.
The front part of the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is round and relatively blunt, while that of the Hwasong-14 ICBM is sharp, according to a photograph published by the Rodong Sinmun, a newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and monitored online here. It was shown on a transporter erector launcher (TEL) with nine wheels on each side, indicating the new one is longer than the Hwasong-14, which is carried by a 16-wheel TEL.
The newspaper also made public dozens of other photos of the new ICBM launch early Wednesday morning, including those of leader Kim Jong-un giving a “field guidance” at the launch site north of Pyongyang.
He pumped his fist, monitoring flight data on a screen and celebrating the successful launch with his aides. The missile reportedly flew 950 kilometers at an apogee of 4,475 km to splash into the East Sea.
The North announced that it has completed its “nuclear force” and claimed the ICBM is capable of hitting all areas of the United States and delivering a “super-sized heavy” nuclear warhead.
The newspaper used four front pages to hype up the communist nation’s first ballistic missile firing in 2 1/2 months.
Experts said the round warhead tip may reflect the North’s pursuit of a multiple reentry vehicle.
“North Korea seems to have designed the protection cover of the reentry vehicle in consideration of a possible multiple warhead system,” said Chang Young-keun, a missile expert at Korea Aerospace University in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
He added it appears to have replaced the engine system for the second-stage rocket.
“There’s a possibility that it has a bigger fuel tank and more vernier thrusters,” Chang said. “But it remains unconfirmed whether it’s a solid-fuel engine.”
Shin Jong Woo, a senior analyst at the Korea Defense Security Forum (KODEF) based in Seoul, said the North seems to have used a cluster engine for the first stage of the Hwasong-15 as well.
“The Hwasong-14 type was equipped with one Paektusan rocket engine but the Hwasong-15 appears to have two,” he said.
Pyongyang fired two Hwasong-14 ICBMs in July.
It remains uncertain whether the isolated communist nation has developed a brand-new ICBM in just a few months.
SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) — North Korea announced Wednesday that it has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), claiming that the missile can strike anywhere in the continental United States with a nuclear warhead.
North Korea launched a Hwasong-15 ICBM earlier in the day from an area north of Pyongyang, according to the state-run TV broadcaster in its “important” announcement.
In July, Pyongyang test-fired two Hwasong-14 ICBMs.
The North’s missile flew 960 kilometers to an altitude of around 4,500 km, Seoul’s military said.
“North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that the country realized great historic cause of completing state nuclear force,” the North’s media said.
The Japanese government has been on alert after catching radio signals suggesting North Korea might be preparing for a ballistic missile launch, government sources said Monday, November 27, 2017.
“North Korea might launch a missile within the next few days,” one of the sources said.
But as satellite images have not shown a missile or a movable launch pad, the signals may only be related to winter training for the North Korean military, the sources said.
The reclusive state has been relatively quiet recently, not conducting a nuclear or missile test since Sept. 15 when it launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile over northern Japan into the Pacific Ocean.
Analysts say, however, the North may resort to more military provocations after U.S. President Donald Trump put Pyongyang back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism on Nov. 20.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned in a statement on Sept. 21 that he could take the “highest-level” of retaliatory action against the United States after Trump threatened to “totally destroy” the country if it moves against the United States or its allies, in a speech at the United Nations earlier that month.
Rodong Sinmun Sheds Light on Trump’s Hideous Crimes
Date: 11/15/2017 | Source: KCNA.kp (En) |
Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) — Trump betrayed his true colors as an old lunatic, mean trickster and human reject during his one night and two days stay in south Korea, says Rodong Sinmun on Wednesday in a commentary.
Trump in his 35 minutes-long address to the “National Assembly” of south Korea, painted a black picture of the DPRK for 22 minutes, spouting all sorts of rubbish against it, only to stun the public, the commentary notes, and goes on:
The worst crime for which he can never be pardoned is that he dared malignantly hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK.
Trump, who is no more than an old slave of money, dared point an accusing finger at the sun. He should know that he is just a hideous criminal sentenced to death by the Korean people.
He will be forced to pay dearly for his blasphemy any moment.
The second on the list of his hideous crimes is that he malignantly hurt the dignified DPRK and Korean-style socialist system.
Korean-style socialism centered on the popular masses which made its appearance in denial of the exploiting system of capitalism at an inevitable stage of the development of history is the most advantageous and scientific socialism embodying the nature of mankind to live independently.
Such a depraved guy as Trump, who is dreaming a pipedream of spreading venom of corrupt American capitalism in denial of the most advantageous social system of the DPRK, will never grasp the truth that injustice can never prevail over justice until his last breath, buried under the bulwark of the great single-minded unity of the DPRK.
The third of his thrice-cursed crimes is that he spouted a load of rubbish to paint a black picture of the happy life of the great Korean people.
The one who violated the dignity of the people and insulted them should never expect their pardon.
The Korean people will regard the face of Trump as a symbol of wolf-like U.S. imperialism and as a target of merciless retaliation and send him to the hell he likes so much to tout.
The fourth is that he twisted the history of justice and cried out for stifling the DPRK by force of violence.
The reckless remarks spouted by Trump during his junkets cannot but be viewed as the final confirmation of the White House’s policy hostile to the DPRK, a total denial of the existence of the DPRK and an open declaration of war not to allow the existence of the Korean people any more.
Rabid dog’s barking can never frighten the Korean people.
It is the principle and way of the DPRK to toughly react to any acts of hostility.
The U.S. will have to bitterly experience what it dislikes most and witness what it thought of in nightmare.
Thae Yong-Ho, Photo Courtesy Zhang Wei, Voice of America.
On November 2, 2017 House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) issued the following statement urging the administration to relist North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism:
“The North Korean regime’s murderous torture of Otto Warmbier and assassination of Kim Jong Nam are just two examples of a consistent pattern of recent terrorist activities. Before the committee this week, Thae Yong-ho, a high-ranking North Korean defector, endorsed relisting North Korea as a state sponsor of terror. So I urge the administration to take quick action. There is simply no reason for further delay of this decision.”
Note: Chairman Royce’s H.R. 3364 – signed into law on August 2, 2017 – required the administration to determine within 90 days whether North Korea meets the criteria for designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
On November 1, 2017, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs listened to the testimony of Thae Yong-ho, the highest-ranking North Korean defector to ever testify before the House of Representatives. Thae joined the Foreign Ministry in 1988 after receiving degrees in international politics and English from Pyongyang and Beijing Universities. His most recent position was in London, where he was minister and deputy chief of mission from 2013 to 2016, when he defected to South Korea.
Thae began his two and one half hour testimony with a prepared statement
Major points:
Thae worked on the frontline of North Korean diplomacy as the former Deputy Chief of Mission of North Korea. He defected to South Korea in 2016.
Thae lived a life of privilege in comparison to the average North Korean who may deal with oppression and hunger. “I went through elite educational courses in North Korea, which could not even be dreamed of by ordinary citizens there. At the age of 14, I was sent to China for a special elite educational program. More than 20 years of the past 55 years of my life, were very privileged by North Korean standards. I lived and worked in foreign countries such as China, Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The North Korean system provided me with all kinds of political privileges and economic benefits during this time and, in the course of my last posting, I was fortunate enough to live in the UK with my wife and two sons. Throughout my life, my family members and relatives were all dedicated true communists.”
So why did he defect? His reasons are two-fold. First, his two sons were educated in the UK with complete exposure to freedom of thought and information: “I could not force my sons to pretend to be loyal to Kim Jong Un and the North Korean system and to shout ‘long live the supreme leader Kim Jong Un!,’ ‘long live the socialist paradise of the DPRK’ – like I did all my life.”
Second, Thae lived as “a modern-day slave… leading a ceaseless double-life, which was psychologically difficult. I had to pretend to be loyal to the Kim Jong Un regime, even though my heart did not agree. I often was asked questions by my British friends which caught me flat footed. Trying to justify the North Korean system when, deep down, I knew their concerns were fair and legitimate. They asked me things such as:
How could Kim Jong Un persecute his own uncle?
Why does North Korea continue to appeal for humanitarian aid while pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into its nuclear and missile development?
Communism has always opposed a dynastic transfer of power, so how then does the Kim family’s hereditary leadership system prevail so long in North Korea?”
These doubts, of course, could lead to persecution, prison camp or death: “Indeed, if it is discovered that a senior elite may have different ideas or express private dissatisfactions, then he or she could be subject to persecution. And as you all know, even the members of the Kim’s family have been subject to this type of persecution. Such was the case with the killing of Kim Jung Un’s uncle Jang Song Thaek and half-brother Kim Jong Nam. Beyond these high-profile incidents, much more has been going on beneath the surface over the past five years, hundreds of cadres have been persecuted without due process. For example, the families of former North Korean Ambassadors to Cuba and Malaysia were sent to prison camps and nobody knows whether they are now alive or dead.”
Thae says changes in NK over the past five years show signs the Kim Jong Un regime is weakening:
Free markets are flourishing, threatening the state owned socialist economic system.
The welfare system of North Korea has long collapsed and millions of civil servants, army officers, and security forces are dependent on bribes and state asset embezzlement for their survival.
The citizens do not care about state propaganda but increasingly watch illegally imported South Korean movies and dramas. Until now, the North Korean system has prevailed through an effective and credible reign of terror and by almost perfectly preventing the free-flow of outside information.
“These changes, however, make it increasingly possible to think about civilian uprising in North Korea. As more and more people gradually become informed about the reality of their living conditions, the North Korean government will either have to change and adapt in positive ways for its citizens, or to face the consequences of their escalating dissatisfaction.”
Understanding the goals and mindset of Kim Jong Un:
Today, Kim Jong Un thinks that only nuclear weapons and ICBMs can help him avert the continuing disintegration of the North Korean system.
He also thinks that the existence of a prosperous and democratic South Korea so close to the border is, by itself, a major threat towards his dynasty.
While Kim Jong Un has already long had the tools to destroy South Korea effectively, he also believes it is necessary to drive American forces out of the peninsula.
And this can be done, he believes, by being able to credibly threaten the continental United States with nuclear weapons.
Recommendations going forward:
It will take some time to assess the effectiveness of the current economic sanctions and campaign of diplomatic isolation. Thae recommends we continue the momentum and even expand targeted sanctions until the North Korean regime comes back to the dialogue table for denuclearization.
Second, strengthen the U.S.-ROK alliance: “The US and ROK Governments should enhance the level of their coordination and communication under the slogan of ‘We go together.’”
It is a long established dialogue strategy of North Korea to exclude South Korea while communicating only with the US. The US and South Korean Governments should frustrate this North Korea strategy through strong concerted co-ordination.
Use Soft Power Techniques before military options:
Meet with Kim Jong Un: “It is necessary to reconsider whether we have tried all non-military options before we decide that military action against North Korea is all that is left. Before any military action is taken, I think it is necessary to meet Kim Jong Un at least once to understand his thinking and to try to convince him that he would be destroyed if he continues his current direction.”
Educate the North Korean population to stand up to the regime by disseminating outside information—much more needs to be done to increase the flow of information into North Korea. “The U.S. is spending billions of dollars to cope with the military threat. Yet how much does the U.S. spend each year on information activities involving North Korea in a year?”
Open Chinese borders to defectors: Some 30,000 North Korea defectors have come to South Korea. In China, however, tens of thousands of North Korean defectors are living without papers, under the shadows, and are being physically or sexually exploited. US should do more to stop Beijing repatriating defectors back to North Korea.
Enhance military preparedness: “Frankly, Kim Jong Un is not fully aware of the strength and might of American military power.”
Also, “Kim Jong Un genuinely believes that he can break the sanctions regime apart once he compels Washington to accept North Korea’s new status after successfully completing the development of his ICBM program and putting the new missiles into deployment.”
During the Q&A period of the hearing, Thae answered questions from committee members:
Terror List:
The current regime under Kim Jong Un is a reign of terror comparable to crimes committed by the Nazis. The current sanctions are good, but they are not enough as NK maintains a stockpile of supplies. However, these rations will only be given to the elite. (Malnutrition and famine have already decreased the height of the average North Korean by 10 cm.) Placing NK back on the state sponsored terror list would help drive NK out of the international financial systems and cut off funding for further nuclear development.
Mount Paetku, Portrayed as the birthplace site of Kim Jong Il, Courtesy DPRK Tourism
BRAINWASHING AND THE DESSeMINATION OF INFORMATION:
We must understand that North Koreans truly believe Kim Jong Un and his entire dynasty are divine. North Koreans truly believe this and are brainwashed from an early age. The belief in Kim Jong Un as a god makes it easier to convince North Koreans that they should be willing to die for him. Information smuggled into North Korea to prove he is human would help the citizens to unite against him. For example, North Koreans do not know Kim Jong Un is the third son of his father and it is likely his own grandfather didn’t even know of his existence. He was raised and educated in Switzerland and no one knows the true year of his birth.
Mr. Thae: “The Kim Jong Un regime established a full-scale, stupid brainwashing system depicting Kim Jong Un as a god. So I think we should try to concentrate our efforts to educate North Korean people that Kim Jong Un is not a god. He is just a normal human being.”
DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
U.S. broadcasting efforts are critical. Information smuggled into the country should include American TV through small devices. Content should be tailored for each class of North Korean citizen. (There are three classes.) Regardless of class, North Koreans need to know “very simple tailor-made content which can tell the basic concepts of freedom, human rights and democracy.” Currently, movies do come in on SD cards, also referred to as nose cards, because young North Koreans conceal them in their nostrils. The risks are that public executions have been held for simply watching South Korea movies.
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in China (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
The Problem of China:
The Chinese government must support economic sanctions against North Korea and stop sending defectors back to North Korea for torture and labor enforcement or even death. The Chinese must open a route to defection which could allow a mass exodus to occur. The Chinese should set up temporary refugee camps to hold defectors safely until they can continue on to South Korea where they will be welcomed.
Also, China continues to trade with North Korea, especially with the purchase of coal, primarily through unofficial smuggling networks. North Korea trucks carrying ICBMs are Chinese-made, supposedly to support the timber industry. China could use these same smuggling routes and techniques to smuggle in information.
HUMAN RIGHTS:
Thae says, “It’s not a paradise…it is the worst inhuman system in human history.” The system of classification is similar to the feudal class system. It is not a socialist welfare system as it portrays itself. Citizens do not know what fair payment is for work. Sometimes salaries do not even cover the cost of food. Sexual exploitation also exists in which young girls are chosen to work for the family.
25 Aug 2010 – “Storax Sedan” underground nuclear test – July 1962 Storax Sedan (yield 104 kt) – shallow underground nuclear test conducted by the United States on 6 July 1962 at Nevada Test Site. The main purpose of the detonation was to asses the non military dimension of a nuclear explosion. Image in the public domain Photo: The Official CTBTO Photostream
NUKES:
Who is helping them with developing nukes? North Korea has been studying the development of nuclear weapons since the late 1950s under the tutelage of the former Soviet Union. Thae does not know of the need for any outside help at this time.
The purpose of the nuclear program is to put preserve the regime. Kim believes nukes will guarantee his rule and will drive the US from the Korean peninsula through what is essentially blackmail. He believes that once he can successfully prove he can strike the US with a nuclear weapon, the US will pull out of South Korea. Thae says South Koreans are already moving further away from the DMZ, knowing that most successful missiles are only short range at this time.
ELITE NEED TO BE ENTICED TO DEFECT:
The proliferation of nuclear weapons and the ramping up of terror have caused more elites and diplomats to defect than ever before. Elites need to be enticed to leave through specially arranged deals that will help collapse the regime. Thae estimates that the elite (“the core class”) make up about 25 percent of the total population, which would amount to less than 10 thousand people. He noted that even though many people have a high ranking in society, they still do not have free access to information and would have to be educated. He estimates only 300 to 400 people control the country, and these are the only ones with access to world news, Internet, etc.
EXPEL NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMATS WORLDWIDE
Soft power should be used to pressure other countries to expel North Korean diplomats.
US State Department State Sponsors of Terrorism
Countries determined by the Secretary of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism are designated pursuant to three laws: section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act, section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act. Taken together, the four main categories of sanctions resulting from designation under these authorities include restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance; a ban on defense exports and sales; certain controls over exports of dual use items; and miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.
Designation under the above-referenced authorities also implicates other sanctions laws that penalize persons and countries engaging in certain trade with state sponsors. Currently there are three countries designated under these authorities: Iran, Sudan, and Syria.
Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me “old,” when I would NEVER call him “short and fat?” Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend – and maybe someday that will happen!
Donald Trump’s tweet about Kim Jong-Un calling him “old” really only scratched the surface of the insults North Korea has hurled. In state run media, which has made the use of the word “dotard” a household term, he is also referred to regularly as a lunatic, hard-of-hearing maniac, hysterical warmonger, rogue gangster and mentally deranged barking dog.
In 2014, during the release of the satirical comedy “The Interview,” North Korea unleashed a string of insults against President Obama (translations vary):
“Obama always goes reckless in words and deeds, like a monkey in a tropical forest.”
“You can also tell this by his appearance and behavior, and while it may be because he is a crossbreed, one cannot help thinking the more one sees him that he has escaped from a monkey’s body.”
“(He) still has the figure of monkey while the human race has evolved through millions of years.”
“does not even have the basic appearances of a human being”
Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye : “vile prostitute,” “senile granny,” “tailless, old, insane bitch.”
President George W. Bush: “hooligan” who looked like “a chicken soaked in the rain.”
Vice President Dick Cheney: “most cruel monster and blood-thirsty beast.”
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld: “political dwarf, human scum or hysteric.”
State John Kerry: “wolf with a hideous lantern jaw.”
So, back to President Trump’s tweet, the comments ranged from the predictable “Delete your account” and “Impeach Trump,” to the more light-hearted:
Okay, at this point I’m convinced Trump’s account has been hacked. Even he’s not this whacked out. Wait, yes he is.
I… I just… did you just have a stroke or something?
If he won’t take medication the only alternative is that the rest of us do until he goes away.
u ok hun? Xx
Seriously sir step off, go to bed, just breathe
Donald trump just called Kim jong-un short and fat on twitter…… we’re going 2 b blasted into smithereens, my god…
Symptoms of neurosyphilis Confusion, disorientation. Sudden personality changes. Changes in mental stability. Dementia. Depression
Kim Jong-un is living in Trump’s head rent-free
twitter in 2014: oh cool ellen took a selfie with a bunch of other celebrities twitter in 2017: the president just called kim jong-un fat
Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice, but the smart money is on Trump making momma-so-fat jokes at Kim Jong-un.
Remember when President Obama appeared on Between Two Ferns and conservatives said it was beneath the dignity of the office? Trump is currently fat shaming Kim Jong-un on Twitter….
trump: i’m friendly with russia because they’ll help us get on better terms with north korea trump 30 mins later: kim jong-un is short and fat
Trump is so pissed about Kim Jong-un calling him old that he has cancelled his date with Putin to watch “Golden Girls.”
Kim Jong-un went too far this time. Nukes are one thing, but ageism is something else entirely. The American people will not stand for discrimination against old people!
Kim Jong-un’s reply “Yo Potus so fat, it took me two trains, a plane, and a bus to get to his good side.”
Donald Trump just body shamed Kim Jong-un. Next he’s going to unfriend him on Facebook.
“Dear Kim Jong-Un, Do you like me? Circle one: YES NO Your friend (hopefully), Donny”
When you thought nothing could get stranger… Enter Trump saying he’s trying “hard to make friends with Kim Jong-Un”
Just so we’re clear… Our POTUS just “fat shamed” Kim Jong-Un AND called him a “Manlet” in the same tweet. THIS IS THE BEST TIME EVER FOR POLITICS!!!!
someone wrote this EXACT SAME THING in my 7th grade yearbook. Weird.
All I can say is… Kim Jong-Un needs to create a twitter
According to Korea Joongang Daily (JoongAng Ilbo), China has arrested would-be assassins of Kim Han Sol, the 22 year old son of recently assassinated Kim Jong Nam. Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, was assassinated on February 13, 2017 in the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airport through the use of a VX nerve agent, considered to be a weapon of mass destruction. Kim Han Sol is the nephew of Kim Jong Un.
For current updates on the assassination trial of Kim Jong Nam, see
According to the the South Korean daily, seven North Korean spies were secretly dispatched to China on a mission to kill Kim Han Sol. Chinese authorities have two of these spies in custody and is questioning them in Beijing. The anonymous source said that North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau recently sent the team to Beijing — apparently without China’s knowledge — to search for the 22-year-old nephew of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and kill him. Officials from China’s Ministry of State Security apprehended two of the spies, but the whereabouts of the other five suspects are not currently known.
Kim Han Sol is the son of Ri Hye Kyong and the now deceased Kim Jong Nam. They also have a younger daughter. The family had been living in Macau until the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, when the family went into hiding.
Kim Han Sol made a statement in March 2017 in a YouTube Video uploaded by a group named Cheollima Civil Defense.
In a statement on the Cheollima Civil Defense website the organization said the following:
“Cheollima Civil Defense responded last month to an emergency request by survivors of the family of Kim Jong Nam for extraction and protection. The three family members were met quickly and relocated to safety. We have in the past addressed other urgent needs for protection. This will be the first and last statement on this particular matter, and the present whereabouts of this family will not be addressed.
We publicly express our gratitude for the emergency humanitarian assistance afforded to us in protecting this family by the governments of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the People’s Republic of China, the United States of America, and a fourth government to remain unnamed. We also recognize our colleagues who remain in the North or within its system who provide critical assistance in extracting such individuals.
In particular, we recognize Ambassador A.J.A. Embrechts, representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, for his timely and strong response to our sudden request for assistance. Ambassador Embrechts is a credit to the people of the Netherlands and their long and principled stance for human rights and humanitarian norms.
We regret that several nations refused assistance to this family in this particular apolitical, humanitarian emergency. We, and those we aid, recognize with gratitude all who stand with us on the right side of history.”
The Kim Jong Nam murder trial began on October 2, 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is currently in recess until November 6, 2017. Here’s what we know so far:
Kim Jong Nam was the older half-brother of North Korea Kim Jong Un. They shared the same father.
Kim Jong Nam was assassinated on February 13, 2017 at the Kuala Lumpur Airport in Malaysia. His assassination was caught on surveillance cameras.
In the video, Kim Jong Nam is approached from behind by a woman who smears something onto his face, particularly in the area of his eyes. A second woman then repeats the process. The women each go to separate restrooms and wash their hands and then leave the airport without incident.
Kim Jong Nam gestures for help from airport security and is escorted to a medical area of the airport. He is medically distressed and is transported to a hospital but pronounced dead at the hospital. (Initial reports said he was dead within 20 minutes, but the trial account says it was approximately 2 hours before death occurred.)
The chemicals are later determined to be a VX nerve agent classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations.
The women are identified via video surveillance and are arrested within a few days of the incident. They claim they thought they were part of a prank for a reality TV show and did not know the chemicals were lethal. Both women claimed they were directed by four men known only by nicknames.
The women have been charged with murder and face death by hanging if it convicted.
This combination of file handout pictures released by the Royal Malaysian Police in Kuala Lumpur shows suspects Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam, left, and Siti Ashyah of Indonesia, right, who were detained in connection to the Feb. 13, 2017, assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. (AFP/Getty Images)
The women face death by hanging if convicted.
TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS THROUGH 10.26.17
The accused are Indonesian citizen Siti Aisyah, 25, and Vietnamese citizen Doan Thi Huong, 29.
Murder occurred at 9 am while Nam waited near the check-in counter in the departure hall at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. He was travelling alone.
Nam was carrying a passport that said his name was Kim Jong Chol, which is the name of Kim Jong Un’s younger brother.
See More about Kim Jong Chol, Eric Clapton Super Fan at:
The North Korean government requested that no autopsy be performed on the body. The attorney general’s office in Kuala Lumpur overruled the request and the autopsy was performed on February 15. No next of kin was available to identify the body and North Korea officially denied the dead man was Kim Jong Nam, insisting instead it was actually the Kim Jong Chol identified by the passport. Through a secret process, DNA was obtained from Kim Jong Nam’s son and the body was confirmed to be that of Kim Jong Nam. (Kim Jong Nam’s family is now in hiding.)
The autopsy confirmed acute VX nerve agent poisoning. Nam’s body was released to the North Korean embassy under pressure. Malaysian and North Korean relations are now very tense.
The trial was briefly moved to a lab to safely view VX stained clothing belonging to both the victim and the suspects.
Next, video footage showed Kim Jong Nam after the attack in distress, escorted to an onsite medical clinic, walking first and then staggering, and on a stretcher being wheeled to an ambulance.
Video also showed the two suspects fleeing the scene after washing their hands.
It was revealed that Kim Jong Nam had $100,000 in cash on him when he died.
Each woman’s lawyer was hired by her own country and blame NK for the attack, insisting women are just dupes.
Police revealed that Huong had done a practice “prank” at the airport two days before.
About two weeks into the trial, the issue of the mystery men who are suspected of directing the two women began to unfold.
The men have only been named in court by the pseudonyms they gave to the women:
Mr.Y, seen walking with Doan into the airport and also seen pouring liquid into Doan’s hands.
Mr. Chang, seen with Siti Aisyah at a restaurant and also seen pouring liquid into her hands.
Hanamori, also known as Grandpa/Uncle, suspected of giving orders to Mr. Y and the apparent ringleader of the operation.
James who is suspected of recruiting Siti Aisyah.
(Although it has not yet been discussed in the trial, Interpol issued an international red warrant for Ri Ji Hyon, Hong Song Hac, O Joong Gil and Ri Jae Nam. These four are charged in the crime as well, a charge called “Common Intention,” but are considered to be “still at large.”)
On October 24, the trial moved to the scene of the crime. The overwrought suspects were transferred to wheelchairs and one was crying. They had to wear bullet proof vests and handcuffs.
A North Korea scientist named Ri Jong Chol has not been charged although he did own a car that took two of the men to the airport on the day of the crime. Due to “insufficient evidence” he was deported back to NK.
It was revealed Nam had a total of 4 passports all bearing the name of Kim Chol.
The four wanted men all left Malaysia by air on the same day as the murder and video shows attempts to make changes to their appearances after visits to the restroom.
