George Friedman on US-North Korea relations: 'There is a negotiation going on'

KCNA/via REUTERS BEIJING (AP) — China dispatched its highest-level envoy to North Korea in two years on Friday in a bid to improve chilly relations after President Donald Trump last week urged Beijing to pressure Pyongyang to cease its nuclear weapons program.

© POOL/AFP Martin BERNETTI SANTIAGO (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Mexico to break ties with North Korea on Wednesday, adding that "all options" are on the table with regards to the Asian state.

Authored by Marie DuMond via Beyond Parallel, A Predata-Beyond Parallel prediction indicates there is a 43% chance of North Korean WMD activity taking place in the next 14 days. In the next 30 days, there is a 62% chance for North Korean WMD activity. Beyond Parallel defines WMD activity as nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches.

Reuters/KCNA KCNA

SEOUL: North Korea said Wednesday it had carried out a "successful" hydrogen bomb test - its fourth nuclear blast - rattling the region with its latest bout of sabre rattling. Here are five questions about North Korea's nuclear programme and its impact on regional diplomacy and security: Can North Korea's claim be believed? Experts broadly agree that the country probably carried out some kind of nuclear explosion but are sceptical over the "hydrogen" assertion. The first clue that something happened came with reports of a 5.1 magnitude earthquake near the North's nuclear test facility.

PYONGYANG, Korea, Democratic People’s Republic Of — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a New Year’s speech Thursday that he is open to more talks or even a summit with his South Korean counterpart, a statement welcomed by Seoul, which in turn urged the North to take concrete steps toward normalization of relations.

SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of — North Korea’s top official in charge of relations with South Korea has died in a traffic accident, the country’s state media announced Wednesday, potentially dimming the prospect for ties between the rival countries. He was 73. Kim Yang Gon, head of the United Front Department at the ruling Workers’ Party, died Tuesday morning, the Korean Central News Agency reported. It said a state funeral will be held Thursday but gave no further details about his death.