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Jon Herskovitz
For Jon Herskovitz's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Lee Jae-myung (center), leader of South Korea's opposition Democratic Party, arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 27, 2023
South Korean court rejects arrest warrant for opposition leader
Last week, several members of Lee Jae-myung’s own party broke ranks and voted to allow an arrest warrant for the sitting lawmaker to proceed.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 21, 2023
South Korean leader warns Russia and North Korea on arms deals
Both Washington and Seoul say that Moscow has used North Korean weapons against Ukraine for a long time.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 11, 2023
North Korean weapons cache gives Kim a role in the Kremlin’s invasion
Kim Jong Un is expected to cross into Russia this week for his first trip outside the peninsula in four years for talks with Vladimir Putin.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends what state media report was a launching ceremony for a new tactical nuclear attack submarine in North Korea, in this picture released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 8, 2023
North Korea holds ceremony for new ‘tactical nuclear’ submarine
The country’s state media released photos Friday of a ceremony for the vessel, which appeared to have 10 missile tubes, attended by leader Kim Jong Un.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 7, 2023
China sending officials to North Korea before Kim’s Russia trip
The Chinese group led by Liu Guozhong will travel to North Korea for celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the country’s founding on Saturday.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a ceremony commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement at Busan Cinema Center in Busan, South Korea, on July 27.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 16, 2023
South Korea leader seeks breakthrough in deterring Kim Jong Un
Yoon expects the summit with Kishida and Biden will lead to agreement on ways to enhance their response to nuclear threats from North Korea.
People attend a mass rally denouncing the U.S. in Pyongyang on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 27, 2023
North Korea, China and Russia mark Korean War anniversary
The celebrations come at a crucial time for Kim Jong Un as he seeks to ease up on pandemic border controls that slammed the brakes on his economy.
Russian and North Korean flags fly above a street in Vladivostok, Russia, in 2019. As Pyongyang prepares to mark the Korean War's 70th anniversary, Kim Jong Un's regime has Russia to thank.
WORLD
Jul 26, 2023
North Korea’s depleted coffers are filling up again thanks to Russia
New funds are enabling Kim Jong Un to ignore financial incentives designed to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 10, 2023
North Korea threatens to shoot down U.S. spy planes
A spokesman for North Korea’s Defense Ministry said the U.S. was engaging in 'the most undisguised nuclear blackmail” by planning to bring a nuclear-armed submarine to the Korean Peninsula.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 5, 2023
South Korea salvages North’s spy satellite in intelligence win
Experts said the recovered pieces could provide information about the secretive state’s rocket program and give clues about possible sanctions violations.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 23, 2023
Two Koreas speed up drone race after unprecedented incursions
South Korea’s cabinet this week approved plans for a new drone command to be set up by the military.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 18, 2023
Failed North Korean rocket is intelligence win for Kim’s foes
A North Korean satellite launch that ended in failure will provide a trove of information about the secretive state’s rocket program as South Korea salvages large sections from the bottom of the sea.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Apr 24, 2023
As Yoon heads to U.S., Russia’s war puts focus on huge South Korean artillery stockpiles
President Yoon Suk-yeol has indicated his government may be open to changing its policy about providing lethal aid to Ukraine under certain conditions.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 21, 2023
North Korea’s top diplomat tells G7 that nuclear weapons will stay
The message served as a reminder that leader Kim Jong Un may try to force his way on to the agenda when G7 leaders hold their annual summit next month in Japan.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 10, 2023
North Korea cuts phone link with South after slamming ‘traitors’
South Korea’s Unification Ministry said that North Korea failed to respond for a fourth straight day to regularly held calls on an inter-Korean liaison communications channel.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 28, 2023
North Korean defectors are dying lonely deaths in wealthy South Korea
Nearly 90% of defectors in Seoul said they’ve had trouble settling into their new homes after a decade, with many experiencing mental health problems and other adjustment issues.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 16, 2023
Japan needs South Korea to defend against Kim Jong Un’s missiles
While the two sides feuded, North Korea was busy rolling out a new generation of rockets that are quick to fire and maneuverable in the air, posing a threat to both countries.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 1, 2023
Foreign Minister Hayashi set to attend 'Quad' talks hosted by India
Bolstering ties with India has been a priority for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government as it seeks partners beyond the U.S. to counter security threats posed by the likes of China.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 2, 2023
North Korea shuts door on U.S. talks, raising risk of provocations
The last time North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement, Pyongyang test-launched two short-range ballistic missiles about a day later.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jan 30, 2023
North Korea could get a vital lifeline from arms sales to Russia
While Washington said the weapons won’t do much to alter the battlefield, the sales would open a new stream of revenue to a country isolated from much of world trade.

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