Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — North Korea and China have signed a formal agreement on building a high-speed railroad linking the Chinese border with the North’s capital Pyongyang and the southern city of Kaesong, a source said. The accord signed in February, and which could involve South Korea, calls for the two neighbors […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — North Korea’s imports of luxury goods have surged to over 10 percent of its annual budget in 2012, the first year of youthful leader Kim Jong-Un in office according to a South Korean government report. Analysts and officials attributed the sharp rise, despite worsening economic troubles and international […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un’s powerful aunt has not been seen in public for nearly three months and is believed to be critically ill. If so, the development could significantly impact the young leaders’ underlying power base among family members, sources and analysts here say. Kim Kyong-Hui has […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Lee Jong-Heon, East-Asia-Intel.com Fleeing North Korea has been increasingly difficult due to tightened border controls and stronger internal security measures since the country’s new ruler Kim Jong-Un assumed power a year ago, South Korean officials and sources say. But defectors in Seoul say that desperate North Koreans will keep trying to […]