North Korean state media this week slammed Japan for “betraying” agreements Pyongyang and Tokyo made during their first summit 20 years ago.

A former Pyongyang envoy issued a public statement criticizing Japan through the foreign ministry, and the Choson Sinbo piled on with three articles denouncing Japan’s government and media for politicizing the abduction issue and creating obstacles to normalizing relations. 

Health officials are also warning of a flu wave that may afflict the country as the cold weather months approach, a little over a month after North Korea claimed it had wiped out COVID-