News
North Korea threatens reprisals as South tries to uphold peace
The sister of North Korea’s leader has warned of retaliatory measures against South Korea that could involve the military, in the latest escalation of tensions over North Korean defectors who have been sending back propaganda and food.
The threat comes as Seoul said on Sunday that Pyongyang should honour past agreements signed between the two countries.
“The South and the North should try to honour all inter-Korean agreements reached,” South Korea’s reunification ministry said in a statement. “The government is taking the current situation seriously.”
On Saturday, Kim Yo Jong, who serves unofficially as one of Kim Jong Un’s top aides, was quoted by state news agency KCNA as saying that the North “will soon take its next action”.
“By exercising my power authorised by the Supreme Leader, our Party and the state, I gave an instruction to the … department in charge of the affairs with [the] enemy to decisively carry out the next action,” Kim said.
“I feel it is high time to surely break with the South Korean authorities. We will soon take a next action.”
Her statement, which did not say what the next action could be, came days after South Korea took legal action against defectors who have been sending material such as rice and anti-North leaflets, usually by balloon, over the heavily fortified border or in bottles by sea.
North Korea said it has been angered by the defectors and, to mark its displeasure, it has during the past week severed inter-Korean hotlines and is threatening to close a liaison office between the two governments.
As part of the effort to improve ties with the North, South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s administration has sought to discourage the leaflet and rice campaigns, and defectors have complained of pressure to avoid criticism of North Korea.
Analysts say North Korea appears to be using the leaflet issue to increase pressure on South Korea amid stalled denuclearisation talks.
“The leaflets are an excuse or justification to raise the ante, manufacture a crisis, and bully Seoul to get what it wants,” said Duyeon Kim, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, a Belgium-based independent non-profit organisation.
Pyongyang feels betrayed and misled by Seoul’s prediction that the United States would lift some sanctions in exchange for North Korea closing its nuclear reactor site, and is upset that leaflets and US-South Korea military drills continue, Kim said.
“They’re upset that Seoul has done nothing to change the environment and is again telling Seoul to stay out of its nuclear talks with Washington,” the analyst added.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
News
Interior minister engages key stakeholders in Ashanti Region
Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, Minister for the Interior, has paid a courtesy call on Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, at the Regional Coordinating Council in Kumasi.
This meeting forms part of his stakeholder engagement efforts to promote peace and security nationwide.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, warmly welcomed Muntaka Mubarak to his office and expressed his gratitude for the Minister’s unwavering support and commitment to enhancing security in the region.
Dr. Amoakohene highlighted key security challenges plaguing the region and sought collaborative solutions to address these issues.
The Interior Minister reassured the Regional Minister of his dedication to working closely together to ensure crime doesn’t go unchecked in the region.
Since taking office, Muntaka Mubarak has been engaging key stakeholders to promote national unity, foster a shared purpose to strengthen peace and security across Ghana, leverage the wisdom and experience of stakeholders for collective progress as well as to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the nation’s prosperity and security.
Also, Muntaka Mubarak is scheduled to meet with Christian Religious Leaders, Muslim Religious Leaders and Zongo Chiefs to foster collaboration and promote peace, social cohesion and security as well as leveraging on their influence in promoting national harmony.
The Interior Minister will also visit agencies under his ministry to boost their morale and encourage the officers to work diligently towards achieving their mandates.
It will also afford him the opportunity to familiarize himself with their operations and assess the situation on the ground for informed decision-making.
News
Rain Foundation makes Ghana proud, strikes key partnership deal
The World Conference of Mayors Inc. led by its founder Johnny L. Ford, its president Jimmie Gardner, and on Sunday,March 30, 2025, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to partner the Relevant Achievers Impacting Nations (RAIN Foundations), an international missions-based organization headed by the renowned Ghanaian Author Ralph Antwi.
The historic ceremony was preceded by the National Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards 2025 – Ghana Edition held on Saturday March 29, 2025, at The Palms Convention Center in Accra, Ghana.
Changemakers from across the 16 regions of Ghana were present to be inspired and empowered. Youth shakers from various sectors of society were awarded.
The partnership between The World Conference of Mayors Inc. and RAIN Foundations has an overriding objective of preparing young people all over the world to prepare for the mantles of leadership.
RAIN Foundations, through its global youth empowerment initiatives, will create a global network of youth shakers to help secure a better future.
The World Conference of Mayors is a global organization that brings together mayors from around the world. The goals of this great organization are trust, trade, tourism, technology transfer, twin cities, treasury, and training.
The organization is partnering RAIN Foundations to host the National Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards 2025 in twenty-five countries this year, as well as the Global Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards.
