S. Korean leader says North can face deepening isolationMarch 1, 2013 - 10:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - South Korean President Park Geun-hye is urging North Korea to abandon its drive for nuclear weapons or face deepening isolation and deteriorating ties with Seoul, The Associated Press reports. Her national speech Friday, March 1, came four days after her inauguration as the country’s first female president. She already faces unusually low popularity ratings. Parliament is gridlocked over objections to her Cabinet nominations and her government restructuring plans. Ties with Pyongyang are also tense. North Korea conducted its third nuclear test in mid-February and has vowed to continue building nuclear weapons. Pyongyang’s state media Friday criticized the start of U.S.-South Korean military drills as invasion preparations. The allies call the drills defensive. Park’s speech marked the 94th anniversary of protests against Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule of Korea. She urged Tokyo to take responsibility for past abuse. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |