A deepening political crisis in South Korea has not diminished the military readiness of 28,500 troops stationed in the Asian state, a U.S. official said on Friday, but Washington is closely monitoring the situation.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says he will implement the “toughest” anti-U.S. policy, less than a month before Donald Trump takes office as U.S. president.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to implement the “toughest” anti-U.S. policy, state media reported Sunday, less than a month before Donald Trump takes office as U.S. president. Trump’s return to the White House raises prospects for high-profile diplomacy with North Korea.

North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un's regime vowed to adopt its "toughest" policies against the U.S. during its annual meeting last week.

A catastrophic plane crash involving Jeju Air in South Korea has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 179 people, making it the deadliest air accident of 2024. The plane was carrying 181 people on board when the accident occurred.

All but two of the 181 people aboard a Jeju Air flight were killed when the plane crash-landed at a South Korean airport on Dec. 29.

The control tower issued a bird strike warning and shortly afterward the pilots declared mayday, South Korean officials said.