North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) views the launch of a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile on December 18. Kim's speech comes ahead of a year that will see pivotal elections in South Korea and the United States. Pyongyang has now ruled out the possibility of unifying with South Korea, and the country must fundamentally change its principle and direction toward South Korea, Kim said. The move raised regional tensions and sparked fresh sanctions from the US, Australia, Japan and South Korea. The apparent success also came after Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to help North Korea build satellites.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 31, 2023 07:42 UTC