NK weekly-domestic news
Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week
SEOUL, March 28 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of domestic news in North Korea this week.
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N. Korea reports on brisk preparations for school opening season in April
SEOUL -- North Korea reported Friday that brisk preparations were under way for the start of the new academic year in April, including the nationwide distribution of school uniforms and other items.
The Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's main newspaper for the general public, published the report as the country prepares to start a new semester April 1.
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(3rd LD) N. Korea releases photos of what appears to be airborne control aircraft for 1st time
SEOUL -- North Korea on Thursday disclosed what appears to be an airborne early warning and control aircraft for the first time and said leader Kim Jong-un supervised tests of "suicide attack drones" equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published photos of the airplane while reporting Kim supervised performance tests of drones with AI technology and a reconnaissance drone Tuesday and Wednesday.
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N. Korea slams Japan's new military command for self-defense forces operations
SEOUL -- North Korea on Wednesday denounced Japan's launch of a new military command aimed at better integrating its self-defense force units, claiming Tokyo is in the final stage of preparing to become a "war state."
Japan on Monday launched the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Joint Operation Command, a new command designed to oversee joint operations of its ground, maritime and air defense forces, in a bid to better respond to emergency situations and smoothly coordinate with U.S. troops in Japan.
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N. Korea to host large-scale art festival for late founder's upcoming birthday
SEOUL -- North Korea on Tuesday announced the hosting of a large-scale art festival to mark the birth anniversary of late national founder Kim Il-sung next month.
The April Spring People's Art Festival will take place at several venues in Pyongyang, including the People's Palace of Culture, from April 10-17, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported ahead of Kim's birthday on April 15.
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N. Korea warns of overwhelming response over S. Korea-U.S.-Japan naval drills
SEOUL -- North Korea on Tuesday denounced recent joint naval drills by South Korea, the United States and Japan, warning of "overwhelming" and "decisive" responses to any provocations from hostile countries.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) issued the message in a commentary, referring to the trilateral joint maritime drills conducted in international waters off South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju from Monday through Thursday last week.
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N. Korea slams S. Korea-U.S. military drills, threatens to bolster striking power
SEOUL -- North Korea on Monday denounced the latest annual joint military drills by South Korea and the United States, warning it will continue to strengthen its striking power to overwhelm any threats from its enemies.
The disarmament and peace institute at North Korea's foreign ministry issued the condemnation after Seoul and Washington wrapped up their 11-day annual Freedom Shield exercise Thursday.
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(LEAD) N. Korea's new ambassador to Bulgaria takes up office: KCNA
SEOUL -- North Korea's new ambassador to Bulgaria has taken up office, the North's state media reported Sunday.
North Korean Ambassador to Bulgaria Ri Hak-mu presented a copy of credentials to Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev last Thursday, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
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