Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un signed a treaty upgrading their relationship and pledging military assistance if either one is attacked, drawing criticism from NATO, South Korea and other countries.
In a summit in Russia, President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un showed how geopolitical tensions have brought the two neighbors isolated by the West into closer alignment.
On Monday, a dark green train with yellow trim was spotted at the border where Russia, China and North Korea meet. It runs with one passenger in mind: the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.
Questions about the dynastic ruler's children and possible succession scenario arose with the apparent second child's repeated appearances in public in public in recent months.
His young daughter Kim Ju Ae also attended. Some observers interpret this as Kim's message that nuclear weapons will protect future generations of North Koreans.
North Korea is marking a key state anniversary Friday with calls for stronger loyalty to Kim Jong Un, but there was no word on an expected military parade amid heightened international tension.
North Korea's Kim Jong Un vows to develop more powerful means of, days after the country's first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in more than four years
The U.S. is also proposing U.N. sanctions in response to North Korea's six ballistic missile launches since September, each of which it says "were in violation of UN Security Council resolutions."
In a speech at a key political conference, Kim Jong Un vowed to further bolster his military capability, maintain draconian anti-virus measures and push hard to improve the economy.
As North Korea's dictator marks a milestone on Friday, he might be facing his toughest moment yet, as crushing sanctions, the pandemic and growing economic trouble converge
NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Wilson Center senior fellow Jean Lee about North Korea acknowledging a tense food situation and how flooding, sanctions and other issues are adding to the problem.
Earlier this week, the U.S. and other leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations issued a statement calling for North Korea to abandon its nuclear program and return to talks.