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North Korea accuses South Korea of kidnapping its citizens and demands their immediate return after Seoul's Ministry of Unification said 13 of them had defected to South Korea from China, where they worked in a Pyongyang-operated restaurant. China says that the 13 people, a male manager and 12 young female employees, had legitimate passports and had freely exited China. [http:--www.straitstimes.com-asia-east-asia-north-korea-claims-defectors-were-kidnapped-by-seoul ("The Straits Times")]North Korean defectors
2016-04-12

Kim Jong-un, the supreme leader of North Korea, announces that the country is now in possession of a hydrogen bomb, according to North Korean state media. Experts from South Korea however are skeptical about this claim.
2015-12-10

North Korea's state agency KCNA announces the country will launch a satellite sometime between December 10 and December 22. The launch will take place around the time of South Korea's presidential election on December 19 and close to the first anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-il. South Korean officials, as well as the US, believe that the isolated state is testing long-range missile technology with the aim of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile.
2012-12-1

South Korea offers food aid to North Korea after recent floods which have killed over 500 North Koreans.
2012-09-7

North Korea says it will accept all South Korean delegations wishing to pay respects to the late leader Kim Jong-il.
2011-12-23

A South Korean presidential aide warns that North Korea could conduct a third nuclear weapons test if disarmament negotiations do not resume.
2011-10-7

The "Chosunilbo" newspaper in South Korea reports that Kim Pyong-il, the half-brother of current North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, is under house arrest in Pyongyang.
2011-07-1

South Korea reissues an invitation to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to a nuclear summit next year.
2011-06-1

South Korea agrees in principle to resume discussions with North Korea on humanitarian issues including reuniting families separated by the Korean War.
2011-02-9

South Korean media report that two North Koreans have been executed in front of 500 spectators for handling propaganda leaflets floated across the border from South Korea, apparently as part of a campaign by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il to tighten ideological control as he grooms his youngest son as eventual successor.
2011-01-24