North Korea

North Korean and Chinese leaders pledge deeper economic cooperation at Pyongyang summit

The two leaders agree to develop bilateral relations into a new chapter

North Korean's Kim (left) was a guest at a military parade in Beijing in September 2025.

China’s Xi to visit North Korea from Jun 8 to 9 as Beijing seeks cosier ties with Pyongyang

Xi hosted separate Beijing summits in May for US President Trump and Russian President Putin

North Korea test fired strategic cruise missiles and anti-warship missiles from a destroyer on Apr 12

North Korea fires ballistic missiles again, flexing muscle amid Iran war

The missiles are believed to have fallen near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula

The Doomsday Clock is due to be reset in about three weeks.
THINKING ALOUD

Doomsday Clock and the paradox of nuclear weapons

With more flashpoints around the globe, are we inching ever closer to Armageddon?

On the surface, Trump and Xi appear to have found a new warmth – but it’s fragile, says the writer.

Buckle up for a volatile year of Trump-Xi, Taiwan and Kim

The region is heading into an increasingly precarious 2026

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (right) and US President Donald Trump (left) attend a dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct 29, 2025.

Trump gives green light for South Korea to build nuclear powered submarine

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Thursday he has given approval for ally South Korea to build a nuclear powered submarine, a day after the two countries said they have reached a broad trade deal.

“I think we’re going to have a great meeting with President Xi of China, and a lot of problems are going to be solved,” US President Donald Trump said en route to South Korea where he is due to meet with Xi.

Trump expects ‘great meeting’ with Xi in South Korea

The talks, set for Thursday, will be the first time in six years that Trump sits down with Xi

Trump initially threatened to cancel the meeting, their first face-to-face since the pandemic, over the new Chinese measures on critical minerals.

Apec’s economic mission splintered by geopolitics

The gathering in S Korea may be less about multilateral cooperation than the critical side-room bilaterals driven by the US and China

The trip will be To Lam’s first visit to North Korea as Vietnam’s party chief, and follows his August tour of South Korea.

Vietnam’s top leader to visit North Korea this week: ministry

VIETNAM’S top leader To Lam will visit North Korea for three days from Thursday, Hanoi’s foreign affairs ministry said.