SEOUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-fired two short-range missiles off its east coast on Thursday, South Korean defense ministry said Thursday.

    One was fired at 5:20 p.m.(0820 GMT) and the other at 6:00 p.m.(0900 GMT) from Sinsang-ni, near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, South Korean defense ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said.

U.S. beefs up sanctions against DPRK

    WASHINGTON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions against two companies that were allegedly involved in nuclear weapon and missiles-making activities by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    The United States will freeze any assets held by Namchongang Trading Corp. of the DPRK, and bar it from any dealings with American companies or individuals, the State Department said in a statement. Full story

DPRK's nuclear weapons not to threaten others: newspaper

    PYONGYANG, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The nuclear weapons of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) were "neither threatening other countries, nor be used for preemptive attacks," said a commentary carried by the Rodong Sinmun daily on Sunday.

    The DPRK's nuclear deterrent is, to all intents and purposes, of self-defensive nature and has an aim and mission to champion peace, the commentary said. Full story

U.S. extends economic sanctions on DPRK

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington June 23, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    WASHINGTON, June 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama has decided to extend economic sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for another year because of its nuclear activities.

    Obama on Wednesday extended Executive Order 13466, which was signed by his predecessor George W. Bush last June, for another year in order to ensure the measure would continue in effect beyond June 26. Full story

Pyongyang stages anti-U.S. rally to mark Korean War anniversary

    PYONGYANG, June 25 (Xinhua) -- An anti-U.S mass rally was held Thursday in the Kim Il Sung Square, center of Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    The rally, which was attended by more than 100,000 Pyongyang residents, was staged to mark the 59th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.   Full story

DPRK newspaper calls for "patriotic war of justice"

    PYONGYANG, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Rodong Sinmun, a leading official daily newspaper of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Thursday called for a "patriotic war of justice" to defend the country's peace and security.  Full story

DPRK newspaper accuses U.S. of providing nuclear umbrella to S Korea

    PYONGYANG, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Rodong Sinmun, an official daily of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Monday accused the United States of attempting to provoke a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula.

    The U.S. commitment to provide a nuclear umbrella to South Korea under the pretext of "inexistent threats from the DPRK," shows its "gangster logic" to attempt to dismantle the DPRK's nuclear program while providing South Korea with a nuclear umbrella and attempting to "launch a pre-emptive strike against the DPRK," said a commentary carried by the newspaper.    Full story