But they stopped short of a mutual defence pact like the one signed between Russia and North Korea last year ... both hailed the accord as a new chapter in their ties. “This truly breakthrough ...

North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency claimed a successful test of a new type of intermediate ... The White House called it a sign of "desperation" and "weakness," but noted that ...

North Korean troops, largely special ops forces, have suffered high casualty rates in bloody assaults, not unlike prison ...

Pyonyang said the tests were carried out "as part of an overall plan to implement efforts to build the country's defence capabilities".