North Korea ‘to allow nuclear monitoring’

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New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who’s been visiting North Korea, says Pyongyang agreed to allow international inspectors to resume monitoring its nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, the United States has praised North Korea’s decision not to retaliate after a military exercise by South Korea (pictured) near their disputed sea-border. Lisa Mullins get’s the latest from The World’s Mary Kay Magistad in Beijing. Download MP3

Aftermath of North Korean shelling

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Most residents of the South Korean island of Yeongpyeong have left the island, after last week’s shelling by North Korea. But some remained, as Jason Strother found out during a visit to the island. Download MP3 (Photo: Jason Strother)

North Korea urged to halt ‘belligerent action’

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South Korea has threatened military strikes after an attack by the North killed two South Korean soldiers and set off one of the worst clashes between the two sides in decades. The White House described President Obama as “outraged” by the incident. In a statement, the White House called on Pyongyang to halt its belligerent action but officials say it’s too soon to discuss whether the US might take any action of its own. The World’s Jason Margolis has more. Download MP3
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North Korean defectors watch party congress

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North Korea’s ruling party has opened the way for Kim Jong-il to hand power to his youngest son. North Korea’s succession is being closely watched by one group in particular: North Korean defectors. Reporter Jason Strother spoke with some former North Korean soldiers about the latest news from the north. Download MP3

North Korea on Twitter

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North Korea appears to have ramped up its propaganda war against South Korea and the US by turning to Twitter and YouTube – websites that most citizens of the reclusive communist country are banned from viewing. The World’s technology correspondent Clark Boyd has more. Download MP3

• North Korea’s Twitter feed
• North Korea on YouTube
• The World team on Twitter

U.S. joins Japan to remember Hiroshima

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Japan today paused to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city of Hiroshima. Thousands gathered for the ceremony including for the first time, official representatives of the United States. Anchor David Baron speaks about the significance of this with Leonard Spector, an expert in nuclear non-proliferation.

New sanctions against North Korea

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The US will impose new sanctions on North Korea, following the crisis over the sinking of a South Korean warship. The move was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a visit to South Korea. An international inquiry blamed North Korea for sinking the Cheonan warship in March, with the loss of 46 lives, but Pyongyang has denied any involvement. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• UN condemns attack some website
• North Korea’s agenda

North Korea’s agenda

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the international community must respond in the growing crisis over the sinking of a South Korean warship. She said there was “overwhelming” evidence that North Korea was to blame, and urged Pyongyang to halt its “policy of belligerence”. But why would North Korea torpedo a South Korean ship and kill dozens of sailors? Matthew Bell is exploring Pyongyang’s agenda. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• No easy options
• North Korea discussed in US-China talks

Clinton urges China on North Korea

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Download MP3The Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the US is working hard to avoid an escalation after a report blamed North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean warship. After talks in China, Clinton urged countries in the region to contain “the highly precarious situation created by North Korea”. China is the only country with any real leverage over North Korea and so far Beijing has refrained from criticizing its neighbor. Marco Werman talks with The World’s Mary Kay Magistad in Beijing. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• North Korea – secretive state
• South Korean official blames North Korea

North Korea’s Kim visits China

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A train believed to be carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has left the Chinese city of Dalian and is reportedly bound for Beijing. Neither North Korea or China has confirmed Kim’s presence in the country, but media reports suggest he will meet top Chinese leaders. He arrived in China on Monday, traveling on his special train. Mary Kay Magistad reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• North Korea: secretive state

Kim Jong Il, “fashion icon”

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A North Korean website says the “Dear Leader” began a global fashion trend with his zippered jumpsuits. Many North Koreans apparently believe it. North Korea watcher and author Barbara Demick explains how authorities there have mastered the art of propaganda. Download MP3

• BBC profile of Kim
• “Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea” book info

North Korea’s failing currency

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The North Korean government recently knocked two zeros off its currency, the won. And it ordered citizens to turn in their old cash savings. The move caused panic and riots, now the North Korean government has apparently fired the official who led the currency revaluation program. Katy Clark talks with Marcus Noland who is an expert on North Korea’s economy at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Peterson Institute for International Economics

North Korea’s strategic arsenal

North Korea says it will continue to co-operate with the United States on ending its nuclear program and agrees that stalled talks need to resume. The country’s foreign ministry said Pyongyang would work with Washington to “narrow remaining differences”. In June, the UN Security Council voted to impose tougher sanctions on communist North Korea, following a nuclear test carried by the North Koreans in defiance of previous UN resolutions.

Iran ‘concealed nuclear facility’

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Iran has been accused of concealing a second uranium enrichment plant in defiance of international calls for transparency over its nuclear plans. The US, UK and France demanded UN inspectors be given immediate access to the facility. Iran revealed the existence of the plant to the UN watchdog, saying it was not yet operational and would only be used for nuclear energy. Tehran has previously acknowledged it has one enrichment plant, at Natanz (pictured in AP photo). Katy Clark reports.

• BBC coverage
• Iran’s key nuclear sites
• Background Brief: Nuclear Standoff with Iran

Nuclear disarmament

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The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for nuclear disarmament, in a session chaired by President Barack Obama. Many organizations and networks have been campaigning for complete nuclear disarmament for decades. The World’s Jeb Sharp takes a look at these movements and where they are now. Download MP3 (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• BBC coverage of today’s UN resolution
• FAQ: Nuclear disarmament