President called on N. Korea to return to talks and pledged not to pursue "absorption unification," marking 107th anniversary of Independence Movement

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has gifted top government and military officials new sniper rifles following a weeklong ruling party congress celebrating his leadership.

But it has launched a debate about the young Kim Ju Ae's viability as the next leader for the country of 25 million - a dictatorship which has only ever been ruled by a member of the Kim family.

SEOUL, March 2 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a cement factory on Sunday and called for continued production to meet new goals set during a recent key party congress, state media KCNA said on Monday.

Kim Jong Un says North Korea can completely destroy South Korea if it feels threatened, and he refuses to engage with Seoul.

SEOUL, Feb 28 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim ⁠Jong ⁠Un has presented new sniper ⁠rifles as ceremonial gifts to party and military officials, ​calling them a "wonderful weapon" and a sign of his trust, state media KCNA news ‌agency said on Saturday.

By Joyce Lee and Jack Kim SEOUL, Feb 26 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he would focus on expanding his country's nuclear arsenal and that prospects for improving relations with the U.

Kim, who has been in power since 2011, has served as general secretary of the Workers’ Party since 2021, when he formally assumed the title previously held by his late father, Kim Jong Il.

North Korea on Saturday released pictures showing leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter at a rifle range, the latest propaganda images to promote the child touted as a potential successor.