Putin, Kim Vow Stronger Russia-North Korea Ties — State Agency

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchanged letters indicating stronger bilateral relations amid Moscow’s international isolation over its war in Ukraine, North Korean state media reported Monday.

The letters follow Pyongyang’s recognition of two Moscow-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and the country’s reported readiness to send workers to the breakaway regions to aid in their reconstruction.

Putin told Kim that Moscow and Pyongyang would “continue to expand the comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations with common efforts,” according to the state news agency KCNA.

Kim noted in his letter to Putin that Russian-North Korean strategic and tactical cooperation has “put on a new high stage in the common front for frustrating the hostile forces' military threat and provocation.”

Pyongyang typically uses the term “hostile forces” to refer to the United States and its allies.

Putin’s message on the anniversary of the end of Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula — marked as Liberation Day by North Korea — contained similar language to the one he sent Kim last year.

In the 2021 letter, Putin expressed confidence that the sides would further promote mutually beneficial cooperation following Kim’s first Russia visit in 2019.

The Kremlin has not yet commented on Putin’s reported letter to Kim.

North Korea last month became the third state after Russia and Syria to officially recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, collectively referred to as the Donbas.  

Donetsk People’s Republic leader Denis Pushilin hailed North Korea’s recognition as a “triumph of diplomacy” for the breakaway region and expressed hope for “active and fruitful cooperation” with its newly acquired Asian partner.  

Russia’s Ambassador to Pyongyang Alexander Matsegora has said North Korean workers would be an “asset” in “the serious task” of restoring the destroyed social, infrastructural and industrial facilities in the Donbas during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/putin-kim-vow-stronger-russia-north-korea-ties-state-agency/?feed_id=11028&_unique_id=62f9da00c40d4

Russia, North Korea to 'expand' relations: Putin to Kim Jong-un

Fast News

Moscow and Pyongyang to expand bilateral relations, Russian President Putin tells North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un in a letter, says North Korean state media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, April 25, 2019. (Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the two countries will "expand the comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations with common efforts," Pyongyang's state media has reported.

In a letter to Kim for North Korea's liberation day, Putin said that closer ties would be in both countries' interests, and would help strengthen the security and stability of the Korean peninsula and the Northeastern Asian region, North Korea's KCNA news agency said.

Source: Reuters

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/russia-north-korea-to-expand-relations-putin-to-kim-jong-un/?feed_id=10909&_unique_id=62f9764be7053

Kim Jong-un's sister warns South Korea of 'retaliation' over Covid

North Korea's Kim Yo-jong blames Seoul's propaganda leaflets for the country's Covid outbreak even as Pyongyang declares "shining victory" against the disease.

"It is very worrisome that South Korea is sending leaflets, money, sloppy brochures and items into our region," says Kim Yo-jong. (Reuters Archive)

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has accused the South of causing a Covid outbreak in the country and warned of "retaliation", as Pyongyang declared "victory" over its outbreak.

Despite a ban that took effect in 2021, South Korean activists have for years flown balloons containing propaganda leaflets and US dollars over the border, which Pyongyang has long protested against.

On Thursday, Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, blamed these activities for the country's Covid outbreak, saying they were a "crime against humanity", the official Korea Central News Agency reported.

She said that many countries –– and the World Health Organization –– have acknowledged "the danger of spreading an infectious disease through contacting contaminated objects", according to the report.

"It is very worrisome that South Korea is sending leaflets, money, sloppy brochures and items into our region," she said.

Yo-jong warned that Pyongyang was considering "a strong retaliatory response", adding that if the balloons continued, "we will respond by eradicating not only the virus but also the South Korean authorities".

South Korea's unification ministry handling inter-Korean affairs expressed regret.

"We express strong regrets over North Korea repeatedly making groundless claims over the route of the Covid and making very disrespectful and threatening remarks," the ministry said in a statement.

'Shining victory' against Covid

North Korea has previously said that "alien things" near the border with the South caused the Covid outbreak in the isolated country, a claim that Seoul has rejected.

Seoul last month said there have been "no officially verified cases of Covid infections via post or materials".

Yo-jong's comments come as her brother declared a "shining victory" in the battle against Covid-19 after officials reported no new cases of the virus for nearly two weeks.

North Korea has one of the world's worst healthcare systems, with poorly equipped hospitals, few intensive care units, and no Covid-19 treatment drugs or vaccines, experts say.

Even Kim Jong-un apparently suffered from Covid, according to Yo-jong's comments.

Kim "was suffering from high fever during the days of this quarantine war, but he could not lie down for a moment as he was thinking about the people he was responsible for", his sister said.

Source: AFP

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/kim-jong-uns-sister-warns-south-korea-of-retaliation-over-covid/?feed_id=9299&_unique_id=62f47b68086d3

Chicago prosecutor blasts Kim Foxx in resignation letter, can’t work for office 'I don't respect’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

An Illinois prosecutor took Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx to task in a scathing, office-wide resignation letter, saying her office cares more about political narratives than crime victims.

Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Jim Murphy said he "can't continue to work for an administration I don't respect," in his letter resigning his position after 25 years of service. His last day was Friday, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Fox News. 

"I wish I could stay," he wrote. "However, I can no longer work for this Administration. I have zero confidence in leadership."

Fox News has reached out to Foxx's office but has not received a response. 

CHICAGO MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS TEENAGE SISTER, SAY PARTIALLY ASSEMBLED GUN ACCIDENTALLY WENT OFF

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. An attorney in her officer issued a scathing resignation letter Friday blasting Foxx and her policies.  (Cook County State's Attorney)

Murphy cited a number of reasons for his departure, including the "Safe-T Act," a measure that requires prosecutors to present a higher burden of proof to hold accused criminals until trial. 

While Murphy said he supports eliminating cash-bail, he said Foxx's office rushed the reform and that his concerns were brushed aside. Murphy also cited "dangerously" low staffing levels in all units and bureaus in Foxx's office, to the point where one or two-person courtrooms are now common. 

"If this administration was truly concerned with effectively fighting violent crime, then they would fully staff those courtrooms and units," he wrote. "Meanwhile the rest of us are overworked, overstressed, and under-resourced. But at least we were allowed to wear jeans in July."

Murphy said Foxx was angry one day several months ago when he was summoned into a meeting about bond hearings he was involved in. One involved a "massive shootout" and the other a woman who was gunned down walking to a store after being caught in the crossfire. 

Murphy said Foxx was upset about a newspaper headline that indicated the suspect would not face a murder charge under the Safe-T Act. He said Foxx appeared to be more upset with the headline than the fact that a woman had died. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"That is what is wrong with this administration. I've seen day after day," he said. "How many mass shootings do there have to be before something is done." 

"This administration is more concerned with political narratives and agendas than with victims and prosecuting violent crime," he added. "That is why I can't stay any longer." 

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/chicago-prosecutor-blasts-kim-foxx-in-resignation-letter-cant-work-for-office-i-dont-respect/?feed_id=4089&_unique_id=62e48aea1b8cb

Kim Jong Un threatens to use nukes amid tensions with US, South Korea

While Kim has increasingly threatened his rivals with nuclear weapons, it’s unlikely that he would use them first against the superior militaries of the US and its allies, observers say.

Kim's military has test-launched nuclear-capable missiles that place both the US mainland and South Korea within striking distance. (AP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media has said.

Kim’s speech on Wednesday to war veterans on the 69th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War was apparently meant to boost internal unity in the impoverished country amid pandemic-related economic difficulties.

“Our armed forces are completely prepared to respond to any crisis and our country’s nuclear war deterrent is also ready to mobilise its absolute power dutifully, exactly and swiftly in accordance with its mission,” Kim said in his speech, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

While Kim has increasingly threatened his rivals with nuclear weapons, it’s unlikely that he would use them first against the superior militaries of the US and its allies, observers say.

Kim accused the United States of “demonising” North Korea to justify its hostile policies.

He said US-South Korea military drills targeting North Korea show the US's “double standards” and “gangster-like” aspects because it brands North Korea’s routine military activities — an apparent reference to its missile tests — as provocations or threats.

Kim also alleged the new South Korean government of President Yoon Suk Yeol is led by “confrontation maniacs” and “gangsters" who have gone further than previous South Korean conservative governments.

Since taking office in May, the Yoon government has moved to strengthen Seoul's military alliance with the United States and bolster its capacity to neutralise North Korean nuclear threats including a preemptive strike capability.

READ MORE: North Korea's Kim convenes conference to boost 'monolithic' party rule

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO5XQf9Zgw4[/embed]

Tensions spiral

Moon Hong-sik, a deputy spokesperson at the South Korean Defence Ministry, reiterated on Thursday an earlier position that South Korea has been boosting its military capacity and joint defence posture with the United States to cope with escalating North Korean nuclear threats. 

In April, Kim said North Korea could preemptively use nuclear weapons if threatened, saying they would “never be confined to the single mission of war deterrent."

Kim's military has also test-launched nuclear-capable missiles that place both the US mainland and South Korea within striking distance.

US and South Korean officials have repeatedly said in the past few months that North Korea is ready to conduct its first nuclear test in five years.

Kim is seeking greater public support as his country’s economy has been battered by pandemic-related border shutdowns, US-led sanctions and his own mismanagement.

Experts say North Korea will likely intensify its threats against the United States and South Korea as the allies prepare to expand summertime exercises.

In recent years, the South Korean and US militaries have cancelled or downsized some of their regular exercises to support now-stalled US-led diplomacy aimed at convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear program in return for economic and political benefits.

North Korea has said it won't return to talks with the United States unless it first abandons its hostile polices on the North, in an apparent reference to US-led sanctions and US-South Korean military drills.

READ MORE: South Korea to lift ban on North Korean media despite tensions

Source: AP

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/kim-jong-un-threatens-to-use-nukes-amid-tensions-with-us-south-korea/?feed_id=3230&_unique_id=62e22898ac4e8