Capital of North Korea; seat of power and diplomacy amid regional tensions
Binance has replenished the majority of stolen assets from a historic cyberattack. The company will cover the remaining losses with a combination of internal funds and insurance. Authorities are tracing funds as withdrawals resume in phases to restore user access.
Ukraine has reported that North Korea has deployed missile personnel and thousands of troops to western Russia and the Kursk region and that Moscow has used North Korean KN-23/KN-24 missiles in recent strikes. Kyiv, Western analysts and local officials say the transfers increase Russia's ballistic missile capacity at a time when Ukraine lacks high-end air defences.
South Korea is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. Yangsan records 42.5C, the hottest on record; Seoul and other cities face severe heat warnings. Authorities have activated new disaster measures, deploy cooling efforts, and warn residents to stay indoors and hydrate as power demand and health risks rise.
Russian forces have launched large overnight missile-and-drone strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian officials have reported dozens of deaths and widespread damage to residential buildings, a school and the Lithuanian embassy. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said delays in deliveries of anti‑ballistic interceptors have worsened casualties and urged expedited air‑defence support.
State media has highlighted public health tips for surviving a heat wave, including dog-meat soup, as Pyongyang records near-record temperatures. The pieces cast Kim Jong Un as sharing the heat with citizens and showcase several cooling foods and related imagery.
European nations and the UK are intensifying efforts to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet, with new EU sanctions allowing the sale of seized Russian oil cargoes. Putin warns that seizures amount to piracy and promises a response, while Western and Russian officials describe a growing maritime confrontation surrounding sanctioned oil shipments.
South Korea’s president has proposed resuming high‑level talks with North Korea to turn the armistice into a peace treaty. He calls for dialogue among directly involved parties to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities, while pledging to ease tensions and pursue peaceful coexistence. North Korea remains unreconciled, continuing weapons tests and strengthening frontline defences.
President Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce this month’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, citing cost and his "very good relationship" with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. The US and South Korea have cut the drill’s length and scope; Seoul says the exercises began as scheduled. Pyongyang has denied direct communication and called scaled-back drills still provocative.
North Korea has fired ballistic missiles toward the eastern sea, prompting an emergency security meeting in Seoul. South Korea and the US have coordinated responses and warned Pyongyang against further launches as tensions rise amid scaled-down Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.
South Korea has said the U.S. Marine Corps notified Seoul in June that it cannot deploy forces for the biennial Ssangyong amphibious exercise because U.S. forces are tied up by operations in the Middle East. Seoul and Washington are consulting on when to resume training. The move follows U.S. cuts to other joint drills and recent North Korean missile launches.
A Russian drone strike on a warehouse near Kyiv’s western suburbs has caused a large fire, damaged dozens of homes and a care facility, and killed dozens of people. Ukrainian officials say criminal negligence is being investigated as evacuations continue and both sides widen long-range attacks.
Russia and North Korea have opened a one-kilometre, two-lane road bridge across the Tumen River, creating the first direct road link between the countries. Trucks have begun crossing and Russian officials say the bridge will handle up to 300 vehicles daily and connect to Russia’s federal road network; passenger traffic will start when the crossing is fully operational later this year.
The IAEA reports that North Korea has expanded its Yongbyon uranium enrichment facility and operates an annex at Kangson. The new Yongbyon building can house up to 28 centrifuge cascades, potentially increasing weapons-grade uranium production. Seoul and Western assessments echo concern about ongoing violations of UN resolutions.
Missiles launched from North Korea’s Wonsan area have flown about 250 km toward eastern waters. Seoul and Washington say the launches do not threaten the homeland; Pyongyang frames the event as a responsive act after the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. The launches follow North Korea’s accusation that the drills are provocative.
The Seoul court has ruled that North Korea must pay 44.6 billion won in damages over the destruction of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, a move the South regards as a symbolic judgment in a long-running diplomatic standoff.
South Korea has said it is coordinating with Washington to enable a possible US–North Korea meeting after President Trump said he plans to meet Kim Jong Un later this year. President Lee has also ruled out sending troops to the Strait of Hormuz and said Seoul will protect its merchant ships with minimal measures.
The IAEA has remained deadlocked over safety and security issues amid the Washington-Iran clash, three days into the UN conference. Diplomats face a test as they push for consensus on nuclear threats in a volatile confrontation that has escalated since late February.
North Korea has conducted Sunday missile tests observed by Kim Jong Un and his daughter, with the regime saying the launches strengthen war readiness. South Korea and Japan report missiles landing outside EEZs after launches near Wonsan, as Pyongyang rolls out further military displays amid stalled diplomacy.
Zelensky has told the UN that Ukraine has transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. He says North Korea is using soldiers as currency to support Russia, while Kyiv seeks humanitarian and legal pathways amid international scrutiny.
A joint South Korean–UN investigation has concluded that North Korean mines caused a September 21 blast in the DMZ that wounded three South Korean soldiers. Seoul has demanded an official apology and is conducting mine-clearing; Pyongyang has denied responsibility and has launched a ballistic missile from Wonsan, escalating tensions.
South Korea has demanded an apology and recalled its ambassador after Ukraine’s president revealed Kyiv transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea in January 2025. Seoul says the disclosure violated a confidentiality agreement and risks Pyongyang retaliation; Ukraine says the matter is a diplomatic misunderstanding.
North Korea has reportedly conducted underwater-launch tests from a submarine that could carry ballistic missiles, signaling a push to deploy a submarine-based nuclear deterrent. South Korea and the United States detect launches, while analysts warn the tests aim to advance Pyongyang’s maritime combat capabilities and pressure for diplomacy.
North Korea has fired multiple ballistic missiles off its east coast. Seoul and Washington are analyzing the missiles’ specifications after some flew over 900 kilometers. The launches come amid heightened tensions following a DMZ landmine incident and a flurry of Pyongyang missile tests, including a hypersonic weapon. Diplomats and leaders reaffirm calls for restraint as military readiness increases.
The New Yalu River Bridge is set for a ceremony linking Dandong in China with Sinuiju in North Korea. Since 2014 the opening has been delayed amid questions over Pyongyang’s willingness to deepen economic ties with Beijing. Analysts say the project could gradually boost bilateral trade while affecting broader Beijing-Pyongyang-Russia dynamics.
North Korea has tested two underwater-capable missiles in eastern waters, aiming to showcase the Navy’s ability to carry out strategic missions and reinforce its nuclear deterrent, according to state media. The tests follow a string of weapon demonstrations, including hypersonics, and come amid stalled diplomacy with the United States and South Korea.
North Korea has renewed threats and expanded fortifications along the border, warning of a strong response to South Korean provocations. Seoul reports multiple border incidents and warning shots as both sides escalate military measures amid a longstanding standoff.
North and South Korea engage in renewed discussions on restoring military communication and clarifying the land Military Demarcation Line amid rising border fortifications. Seoul proposes talks, potentially including the United Nations Command, while Pyongyang maintains a hard line and warns of consequences.
Kim Jong Un has reportedly arrived in Dandong, China, crossing via the New Yalu River Bridge. The trip underscores North Korea's pivot toward Beijing as Pyongyang seeks stronger ties and economic cooperation with its longtime ally. A Beijing visit would follow Xi Jinping's June meeting with Kim, signaling expanded bilateral cooperation.
Kim Jong Un has visited China, signalling closer ties with Beijing and Moscow as North Korea seeks economic and political support amid global tensions. The New Yalu River Bridge has opened, potentially boosting trade and signaling a strategic alignment ahead of regional milestones.
Swiss Vice President Cassis has visited North Korea on a three-day trip, reopening a Swiss diplomatic office and signaling a push for regular political dialogue. North Korea remains under sanctions; Switzerland aims to strengthen direct contacts and regional stability. The visit follows recent engagements by other Western states and regional tensions.