The Pentagon wants Seoul to shoulder more of its defence burden. Analysts say it may have strengthened Kim Jong-un’s hand instead.

The United States and North Korea could "get along", Kim added, but only if the US accepts that North Korea's nuclear weapons are here to stay. His comments, which were made at a five-yearly party congress held in the capital Pyongyang, are seen as leaving a door open to talks with US President Donald Trump ahead of Trump's visit to China in April.

The United States has reaffirmed that it remains open to dialogue with N. Korea without preconditions, S. Korea's chief nuclear envoy said Thursday.

By Joyce Lee and Jack Kim SEOUL, Feb 26 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he would focus on expanding his country's nuclear arsenal and that prospects for improving relations with the U.

North Korea launched cruise missiles toward the sea on Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, three days after the North carried out what it called a simulated nuclear attack on South Korea to protest its military drills with the United States.

Kim Jong Un emphasized North Korea's economic advancements and military objectives at a key political congress, while solidifying his authoritarian rule and addressing international tensions.

An extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz will have severe repercussions for South Korea’s energy security.

Iran is firing ​fewer missiles than it did at the start of ‌the war on Saturday, ‌the top U.S. general said on Wednesday, ⁠as ⁠he argued Iran's military capabilities were greatly diminished as ​the United States expands its strikes inside Iran.