US Steps Up Navy Challenges Against N. Korea

US-drafted measure strengthened by Obama appearance at meeting

(NEWSER) - The UN Security Council today adopted a US-drafted resolution that outlines much of President Obama’s plan to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The president’s attendance at the meeting of heads of state—just the fifth in UN history—underscores the centrality of the issue for his administration. Though the measure passed unanimously, the US was not able to convince Russia and China to include Iran and North Korea by name, notes the Washington Post. More»

Bilateral negotiations would be first directly between nations

(NEWSER) - The US diplomat in charge of North Korea policy will visit Pyongyang next month for the first bilateral nuclear negotiations between the countries, South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo reports today. Amid signs from reclusive Kim Jong Il of a thaw in relations, Stephen Bosworth will lead a delegation that will also visit China and Japan, key players in six-party talks aimed at curbing the North’s nuclear ambitions. More»

Suspected weapons vessel may be headed back home

(NEWSER) - The North Korean cargo ship being monitored by the US Navy has abruptly changed course and may be heading home, Reuters reports. The Kang Nam, believed to have been carrying arms to Burma, was being tracked under toughened UN sanctions instituted after the country's recent nuclear test. "We've no idea where it's going," said one official. "The US didn't do anything to make it turn around." More»

(NEWSER) - The new sanctions in place against Pyongyang have their first test: The US is monitoring a North Korean ship that left port today and may be carrying illegal weapons, reports Reuters. The Navy is keeping the Kang Nam in its sights in international waters as a "subject of interest." Officials wouldn't say precisely what the ship is suspected of carrying or where it's headed. More»

First test since 2006 draws international condemnation

(NEWSER) - North Korea announced today it had successfully conducted its first nuclear test since 2006, catching the South and the US off guard and drawing a swift denunciation from Barack Obama. The underground test produced a 4.7-magnitude earthquake, but as with the previous test, it remains unclear whether the North has successfully expanded its weapons capabilities. Hours later, the country fired a short-range missile from its east coast. More»