SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea said on Friday it will launch a “working” satellite to mark the centenary of founder Kim Il-sung’s birth next month, prompting immediate fears from Japan it would in fact be another long-range missile launch in breach of a U.N. resolution.

In April 2009, a long-range missile test failed when its first stage fell into the Sea of Japan without orbiting a satellite, provoking outrage in Tokyo, which had threatened to shoot down any debris or rocket that threatened its territory.

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s inexperienced young leader has taken his first big step on the international stage by doing a deal with the United States little more than two months after the death of his father in a move that will help establish his credibility.

The reclusive state agreed to suspend nuclear tests, halt long-range missile launches and enrichment of uranium at a nuclear facility and allow back nuclear inspectors, completing a key piece of business left unfinished by the death in December of Kim Jong-il who ruled the impoverished state for 17 years.

SEOUL (Reuters) – The outside world is warily watching North Korea for any signs of instability following the death of iron-fisted ruler Kim Jong-il and the emergence of his young and untested son as the secretive state’s new leader.

In a surprise move at the end of February, North Korea said it would suspend nuclear tests, uranium enrichment and long-range missile launches, and allow checks by nuclear inspectors. Though Pyongyang has backtracked repeatedly on past deals, it marked an apparent policy shift that could pave the way for resuming long-stalled disarmament talks.

SEOUL (Reuters) – The outside world is warily watching North Korea for any signs of instability following the death of iron-fisted ruler Kim Jong-il and the emergence of his young and untested son as the secretive state’s new leader.

In a surprise move at the end of February, North Korea said it would suspend nuclear tests, uranium enrichment and long-range missile launches, and allow checks by nuclear inspectors. Though Pyongyang has backtracked repeatedly on past deals, it marked an apparent policy shift that could pave the way for resuming long-stalled disarmament talks.

SEOUL (Reuters) – Secretive North Korea raised its military alert ahead of a live-fire artillery drill by rival South Korea Monday amid heightened tension on the peninsula during a delicate transition of power in the impoverished North.

The exercise, involving the use of mortars, some 5,000 rounds of ammunition and attack helicopters, took place near a disputed sea border off the west coast and near a South Korean island bombarded by the North after a similar drill in 2010.

SEOUL (Reuters) – Secretive North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party will hold a special conference in April, state media said on Monday, during which it is expected to formalize a third generation of Kim dynastic rule.

KCNA news agency reported the meeting would “glorify the sacred revolutionary life and feats” of late leader Kim Jong-il and rally around “great successor” Kim Jong-un.

SEOUL (Reuters) – A smiling Kim Jong-un led celebrations of his dead father’s official 70th birthday celebrations in the North Korean capital on Thursday, nearly two months after taking power, indicating a smooth transition in the one of the world’s most closed states.

The third of his line to run the totalitarian North, the youngest Kim is believed to be in his late 20s and sports the same haircut, physique and uniform as his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, the state founder who is revered as its eternal president.

SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean lawyer jailed for protesting against military rule nearly 40 years ago, and who advocates closer ties with rival North Korea and more welfare spending, has surged into the running for the presidency later this year.

Moon Jae-in, 59, has emerged as the kingmaker in the resurgent opposition after playing a catalytic role in unifying the disparate liberal groups into one party late last year, analysts say.

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s new leadership, highly critical of South Korea since taking power, published an unusual “open questionnaire” to its rival on Thursday, demanding answers to show that Seoul was sincere about resuming inter-Korean dialogue.

South Korea has reached out to its reclusive neighbor since the death of the state’s leader Kim Jong-il last December in the hope of persuading Pyongyang to suspend its nuclear program and return to regional aid-for-disarmament talks.

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s capital faces its worst electricity shortages in years just as a new leadership takes power in the impoverished state and pushes ahead with lavish building projects to celebrate the centenary of its founder’s birth.

The Pyongyang-based diplomat, who asked not to be named, said the city of 3 million and home to the leadership elite, has seen daily power supplies almost evaporate as freezing winter temperatures bite.