TOKYO — A rumor that an explosion occurred at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear facility set off a brief panic Friday in the South Korean stock market, illustrating one of the ways in which Seoul is vulnerable to its neighbor. South Korean government officials found zero evidence that an explosion had actually occurred, and a visiting U.S. diplomat in Tokyo said he’d heard nothing to suggest the rumor was true. Radiation-monitoring devices in the region showed no unusual activity. Read full article > >

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Rumor of N. Korean nuclear explosion prompts brief stock panic in South

BEIJING — Saying the Korean Peninsula was “at a turning point,” South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday offered North Korea a “window of opportunity” to improve relations but warned of a powerful retaliation if Pyongyang launches another military strike. “There should be a new opportunity amid changes and uncertainty,” Lee said. “If North Korea shows its attitude of sincerity, a new era on the Korean Peninsula can be opened.” Read full article > >

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S. Korean president sees ‘window’ to deal with North

The Korean peninsula is at a “turning point” with opportunities for change, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak says in a new year address.

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Two Koreas ‘at a turning point’

Thousands of North Koreans are attending the funeral for the former leader Kim Jong-il, many of whom have been seen crying and wailing on state television.

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VIDEO: Is N Korea’s grief ‘choreographed’?

SEOUL — With snow falling and thousands packing Pyongyang’s wide streets, North Korea on Wednesday choreographed a dramatic state funeral for leader Kim Jong Il. In a ceremony that began early afternoon, perhaps delayed several hours by the weather, Kim’s hearse departed from a memorial palace and turned through the North Korean capital city. Read full article > >

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North Korean heir, Kim Jong Eun, leads funeral for father

Receiving visitors from South Korea, the North expressed its wish to enact agreements on economic exchange that were scuttled by the late South Korean leader Lee Myung-bak.

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North Korea Presses South to Implement Economic Pact

Two prominent South Koreans are allowed to cross the border into the North to pay respects to the late leader of the secretive state, Kim Jong-il.

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S Korean duo allowed to mourn Kim

This was a bad year for bad guys. Departing the political scene — or departing the scene altogether — were Osama bin Laden , North Korea’s “Dear Leader,” Kim Jong Il , and a trio of Arab leaders: Tunisia’s Zine el-Abidine ben Ali, Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak and Libya’s Moammar Gaddafi. There isn’t much tying these farewells together. Bin Laden, who was killed by U.S. Navy SEALS in Pakistan in May, died of what might be described as unnatural but unsurprising causes. Kim, meanwhile, died of a heart attack last week but had been in failing health after a stroke several years ago. Both men could have died at any point in the past several years — 2011 just happened to be their time. Read full article > >

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For the world’s bad guys, 2011 was a dangerous year

SEOUL — One part of this divided peninsula is paralyzed in frenzied mourning of a leader that it deified. The other is shrugging its collective shoulders, hoping that in the wake of Kim Jong Il’s death, nothing too bad will happen. Kim’s body was presented to a grieving North Korea on Tuesday ensconced in a glass case, surrounded by rows of the official state flower, the “Kimjongilia.” The deep red color of the blossoms matched the crimson blanket that covered Kim from the chest down. His head rested atop a tubular pillow. Read full article > >

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As Kim lies in state, reactions in North and South Korea show depth of divide

As North Koreans pay respects.

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Kim Jong-il’s Corpse Displayed

For South Korean and American intelligence services to have failed to pick up clues right away about Kim Jong-il’s death attests to the secretive nature of North Korea.

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In Kim Jong-il Death, an Extensive Intelligence Failure

Kim Jong-il’s son and heir and senior officials pay their respects as the late North Korean leader lies in state ahead of his funeral next week.

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North Korea leader lies in state

It may seem perverse, even obscene, that there are people weeping in the streets over the death of North Korean strongman Kim Jong Il. From our perspective, the only rational explanation is that the tears are forced, a compulsory show of emotion for the cameras and, ultimately, the watchful eye of big brother. Read full article > >

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Kim Jong Il’s death stirs genuine emotions

SINCE HIS death Saturday, a great deal has been written about Kim Jong Il’s diplomatic mastery. The North Korean dictator, after inheriting power from his father in 1994, played a weak hand brilliantly, it is said. He wielded his illicit nuclear weapons program to keep larger powers at bay. He was, U.S. Undersecretaryof State Wendy Sherman told the New York Times , “smart, engaged, knowledgeable, self-confident, sort of the master-director of all he surveyed.” Read full article > >

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Is a third-generation monster North Korea’s destiny?

BEIJING — The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has set off a wave of anxiety among the country’s neighbors and beyond, focused on possible instability on the Korean Peninsula and the unpredictable nature of the succession in the isolated, nuclear-armed country. But along with the concern were some cautious expressions of optimism, and hopes that the sudden and unexpected leadership transition in Pyongyang might offer an opportunity for the country to pursue desperately needed reform of its dysfunctional economic system. Read full article > >

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With elder Kim’s death, some see window for change in North Korea