North Korea rejects peace talks with South Korea
Pyongyang follows statement with two further missile tests

North Korea has rejected further peace talks with South Korea and declared that its decision is “completely the fault of South Korea's actions”.
The statement followed a speech by South Korea President Moon Jae-in on Thursday, in which he promised to unite the Korean peninsula by 2045. In it, he said: “A new Korean peninsula, one that will bring peace and prosperity to itself, east Asia and the world, awaits us.”
Describing Moon as “impudent” and “a shameless man,” the North rejected further dialogue when “South Korea continues its joint military exercise” with the US.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The statement added: “We even question if [Moon's] thought process is sound when he mentions ‘talks’ between North and South while playing out war scenarios that plan to destroy most of our armies in 90 days.”
The North's reunification spokesman added: “We have no more words to talk with South Korean officials.”
Sky News points out that “denuclearisation talks have been stalled” despite an agreement to revive them at a June meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Upping the ante yet further North Korea has test-fired two missiles into the sea off its eastern coast, according to the South Korean military.
The two “unidentified projectiles” travelled 230km (140 miles) reaching an altitude of 30km (18 miles), says South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. It was the sixth such test in less than a month.
Although President Donald Trump has downplayed the weapons tests, CNN says analysts believe “they should give reason for Washington to worry”.
This “latest provocation” is intended to “pressure Seoul into pushing cross-border economic ties and persuading Washington to make concessions in any future talks over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme”, The Guardian says.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why the catastrophe bond market is growing
The Explainer The bonds pay for climate change disaster damages
-
How is the Trump bill changing 529 plans?
The Explainer The new bill provides a boost for people pursuing trades and vocational careers or seeking professional licenses and certifications
-
Destination unknown: the exciting ins and outs of mystery travel
The Week Recommends Surprise yourself the next time you vacation
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Wonsan-Kalma: North Korea's new 'mammoth' beach resort
Under the Radar Pyongyang wants to boost tourism but there won't be many foreign visitors to Kim Jong Un's 'pet project'
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
South Korea elects liberal Lee as president
speed read Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, was elected president following months of political instability in the wake of Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment
-
North Korea's army of fake IT workers
The Explainer Using AI and stolen information to craft false identities, they are becoming an 'increasing menace' to top tech companies in the US and UK
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations