Summary of external news of North Korea this week

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of external news on North Korea this week.

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Chances of Trump-Kim summit 'go up' after U.S. midterms: expert

WASHINGTON -- The chances of another summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could increase following last week's midterm elections, as Pyongyang may view Trump as a weaker and easier negotiating target following a major Republican defeat, a U.S. expert assessed Monday.

"I do think that chances go up of a meeting after the midterm elections," said Victor Cha, Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), during a press briefing held to preview potential agendas and meetings during Trump's upcoming trip to Asia.

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N. Korea's nuclear power recognition demand could hinder prospects for Trump-Kim summit: ex-U.S. official

WASHINGTON -- North Korea's apparent demand to be recognized as a nuclear power could complicate U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to arrange another summit with leader Kim Jong-un, a former senior State Department official said Monday.

"I think my understanding, at least, is that the North Koreans have communicated to the United States that the only condition under which there could be consideration for a summit is if the United States accepted North Korea as a nuclear power," Kurt Campbell, former deputy secretary of state, said.

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HRW urges U.N. to address N. Korean human rights situation alongside security issues concerns

WASHINGTON -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the United Nations to address North Korea's human rights situation alongside security issues in future diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang.

In a commentary published Monday, the New York-based rights group, citing a recent U.N. report highlighting deepening repression in the country, said the U.N. General Assembly should recommend that future dialogue with North Korea address human rights and security concerns together, rather than treating them as separate issues.

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N. Korean Embassy in China undergoes renovation amid closer Pyongyang-Beijing ties

SEOUL -- North Korea's Embassy in Beijing appears to have undergone expansion and renovation work recently amid strengthening ties and growing high-level exchanges between Pyongyang and Beijing, sources said Thursday.

The interior expansion work involved two buildings, reportedly including dormitory facilities, with some of the work being detected around the time of leader Kim Jong-un's surprise visit to the Chinese city of Dandong last month, according to sources familiar with the matter.

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N. Korean FM slams G7 nations' call for denuclearization, says its nuclear pursuit remains 'steadfast'

SEOUL -- North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui denounced Thursday a joint call from major countries for denuclearization of the regime, saying its commitment to nuclear buildup remains "steadfast."

Choe made the remarks in a commentary released by state media, after the Group of Seven (G7) advanced nations issued a joint statement following their foreign ministers' meeting in Paris earlier this week.

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