April 1 | Unification Minister mentioned DPRK-Japan
dialogue (in an interview with Sankei Shimbun) ・ “If
dialogue between Tokyo and Pyeongyang contributes to peace and
denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, Seoul won’t oppose it.
We will intensify efforts to gather information on Japanese
abduction victims to seek a cooperation system with Japan.” |
April 2 | The DPRK claimed it “succeeded in a test-fire
of a new-type intermediate-range solid-fuel hypersonic missile”
(April 3, Rodong/KCNA) < Statement by the
Ministry of Unification (April 2) > o “The recent
missile launch by the DPRK marks the third missile provocation
this year since the March 18 launch. We condemn repeated
provocations by the DPRK that violate the UN resolutions and
pose great threat to the peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
o “The launch is an overt provocation that seriously threatens
the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the
international community. South Korea, the U.S., and Japan agreed
on the need to step up trilateral coordination to lead the
international community in taking a united response against the
DPRK.” |
April 2 | Statement by the Unification Ministry on North
Korea’s attempt to meddle in general elections ・ The
Ministry of Unification, in the January 4 statement, sternly
warned North Korea for creating tension on the Korean Peninsula
through threats and criticisms and urged it to cease any attempt
to meddle in general elections. ・ Ahead of the elections,
however, North Korea continued to plot against and disparage
President Yoon Suk Yeol, to issue exaggerated reports of
anti-government protests in South Korea through the North’s main
newspapers such as Rodong Sinmun and KCNA, and to divide South
Korean society. ・ North Korea’s actions are serious
matters that can undermine the foundation of the liberal
democratic system. The South Korean government will not accept
this, and it is evident that wise South Korean people will not
be swayed by it. ・ The government once again strongly
warns of North Korea’s malicious attempts that have been
strengthening ahead of the elections. We clearly point out that
fake news, propaganda and incitement from North Korea cannot
work in the system of liberal democracy. |
April 2 | The South
Korean government imposed independent sanctions against Russian
ships involved in shipping containers of military supplies
between Pyeongyang and Moscow and Russian individuals and
companies involved in the illegal sending of North Korean IT
workers abroad to earn foreign currency in support of
Pyeongyang’s nuclear and missile development (2 vessels, 2
companies, and 2 individuals) ・ △ (Vessels) LADY R and
ANGARA △ (Companies) Intellekt LLC and Sodeistvie △
(Individuals) Sergey Mikhaylovich Kozlov (head of Intellekt LLC)
and Aleksandr Fyodorovich Panfilov (head of Sodeistvie). |
April 3 | Enlarged plenary meeting of the Cabinet
(virtual) (April 4, Rodong/KCNA) |
April 4 | The UN Human Rights
Council adopted a resolution on the situation of human rights in
the DPRK < Statement by the Ministry of
Unification (April 5) > o The South Korean government
welcomes the news that the resolution, co-sponsored by 54 states
including South Korea, was adopted by consensus at the 55th
regular session of the Council. o The government made its
return as a co-sponsor to the UNHRC resolution in December 2022
and has been proactively participating in drafting efforts.
o The government is deeply concerned about the ongoing
systematic, widespread, and dire human rights violations within
North Korea and urges the North to take actions necessary to
improve human rights, including addressing the issues of
abductees, detainees, and prisoners of war, and ensuring access
to information for North Korean residents, in accordance with
the resolution. o The Ministry of Unification visited
Geneva, Switzerland, where the UN Human Rights Council is held,
along with Choi Jin young, son of missionary Choi Chun gil
detained in the North since 2014, and reaffirmed the
international community’s solidarity in resolving the issue of
detainees. - The ministry will persist in its efforts to
closely cooperation with the international community to address
the issues of detainees, abductees, and prisoners of war, and to
substantially improve human rights in North Korea in the
future. |
April 4 | Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, “We’re open to
dialogue with the DPRK, progress will be noted in the
Biden-Kishida summit (April 10)” (in an interview with Sankei
Shimbun) ・ “Based on the shared recognition that the door
to dialogue with North Korea is open, we will reaffirm our
commitment to closely cooperate with the U.S. and with South
Korea and the U.S. to address the situation. Also, the issue of
abductees is a human rights issue that cannot be neglected for a
moment.” |
April 5 | Kim Jong Un gave field guidance at the
construction site for second-stage flats in the Hwasong area
(April 6, Rodong/KCNA) |
April
5 | Remarks by Kim Sun Kyung, vice
minister of the International Organization Department of North
Korea’s Foreign Ministry, condemning the adoption (April 4) of a
human rights resolution (KCNA) ・ “We scathingly denounce
the resolution as a grave infringement upon the DPRK’s
sovereignty and an act of interference in its internal
affairs. |
April 8 | Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un sent a message of
sympathy to Russian President Putin regarding the floods
(Rodong/KCNA) |
April 10
| The U.S.-Japan summit (Washington,
D.C.) < Joint Press Conference (April 10,
Local) > ・ President Biden, “We welcome the
opportunity for our allies to initiate dialogue with North
Korea. Japan seeking a dialogue with the North is a good thing.
We are open to dialogue ourselves at any time without
preconditions.” ・ Prime Minister Kishida, “We aim for
high-level consultations with North Korea to resolve various
issues. The establishment of a meaningful relationship between
Japan and North Korea is in the interest of both and it could be
hugely beneficial to regional peace and stability.” “The U.S.
and Japan and the ROK trilaterally, and the U.S. and Japan
bilaterally agreed to build closer cooperation relating to the
latest situation of North Korea that may cause serious concerns,
including its nuclear and missile development.” |
April 10 | Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un visited Kim Jong Il
Military and Political Academy (April 11, Rodong/KCNA) |
April 11 to 13 | China’s top legislator Zhao Leji visited North
Korea ・ Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress
Zhao Leji met with Chairman of North Korea’s Standing Committee
of the Supreme People’s Assembly Choe Ryong Hae (April 11),
“Strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen reciprocal
cooperation with North Korea on the occasion of the friendship
year.” |
April 13 | Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un met with a Chinese
delegation and enjoyed a special concert given by the Central
National Band of China (April 14, Rodong/KCNA) |
April 15 | President Yoon meets with the U.S. Ambassador
to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield ・ “As a member state of
the UN Security Council, we look forward to working closely with
the United States. We need to firmly uphold the UN sanctions
regime against North Korea and continue to strengthen
cooperation within the Security Council.” |
April 16 | U.S.
Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, “Considering all
possible options for an alternative to the UN Security Council’s
expert panel on North Korea sanctions.” (Visit to the DMZ)
・ Relating to the UN surveillance system for monitoring
North Korea, which will end its activities at the end of this
month, “We must seek options both inside and outside the UN
system, including the option of excluding China and
Russia.” |
April 16 | Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un attended the
completion ceremony for the second-stage 10,000 flats
construction project held in the Hwasong area (April 17,
Rodong/KCNA) |
April 19 |
Remarks by Kim Sun Kyung, vice minister of
the International Organization Department of North Korea’s
Foreign Ministry, condemning U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda
Thomas-Greenfield’s visit to South Korea (KCNA) |
April 19 | The
DPRK General Missile Bureau announced a test launch of a cruise
missile in the West Sea (April 20, KCNA) |
April 20 to 23 | The
Worker’s Party of Korea held the second workshop of officials in
the field of propaganda work (April 24, Rodong/KCNA) |
April 22 | Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un guided a combined
tactical drill simulating a nuclear counterattack, launched
ballistic missiles (April 23, Rodong/KCNA) <
Statement by the Ministry of Unification (April 23) >
o “We deplore North Korea for once again violating UN Security
Council resolutions and posing nuclear threats, while using
ROK-U.S. joint military drills as an excuse. The ROK-U.S. joint
military exercises are to be solely defensive to keep peace from
nuclear threats and military provocations by the DPRK.” -
“The South Korean government will closely monitor North Korea’s
developments together with relevant ministries to prepare for
all possible scenarios in response to North Korea’s various
provocations.” |
April 24
| Remarks by Kim Yo Jong, the vice
department director of the Central Committee of the WPK, and the
chief of the Foreign News Section at North Korea’s Foreign
Ministry regarding ROK-U.S. military exercises
(Rodong/KCNA) |
April 24
| Remarks by Im Chon Il, vice foreign
minister of the DPRK in charge of Russian affairs, denouncing
the U.S. military aid to Ukraine (Rodong/KCNA) |
April 25 | Remarks by Kim Un Chol, vice foreign minister
of the DPRK in charge of U.S. affairs, denouncing the U.S.
sanctions against the DPRK (KCNA) |
April 25 | Supreme
Leader Kim Jong Un watched the evaluation test-fire of a 240 mm
shell of a multiple rocket launcher (April 26, Rodong/KCNA) |
April 26 | Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un visited Kim Il Sung
Military University on the 92nd founding anniversary of the
Korean People’s Revolutionary Army (April 25) (Rodong/KCNA) |
April 29 | Remarks by the director of the Department of
Foreign Military Affairs of the Ministry of National Defense of
the DPRK condemning the U.S. for supplying a new
surface-to-surface missile system to Ukraine (KCNA) |
April 27 | Remarks by the spokesperson for North Korea’s
National Aerospace Technology Administration condemning the U.S.
for its attempt to militarize outer space into war theater
(April 27, KCNA/April 28, Rodong) |
April 27 | Remarks
by the spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry
condemning the 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
released by the U.S. State Department (KCNA) |
April 30 | UN
Security Council Sanctions Committee Panel of Experts officially
disbanded |