The Local Germany

Berlin court rules hostel at North Korean embassy must close

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 17:01:21 +0100

The "City Hostel" in Berlin may look fairly innocuous from the outside – but it now faces closure in an unlikely legal drama over international sanctions against North Korea.

North Korea 'using Berlin embassy to supply nukes': spy chief

Sun, 04 Feb 2018 09:59:56 +0100

Germany's domestic intelligence agency chief has revealed North Korea has been acquiring equipment and technology for its nuclear and weapons programmes through its Berlin embassy.

Germany open to Iran-style North Korea talks: Merkel

Sun, 10 Sep 2017 16:29:16 +0200

Germany would lend its weight to a diplomatic push to end North Korean nuclear weapons and missile development along the lines of a past deal with Iran, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday.

Merkel condemns 'verbal escalation' with North Korea after Trump tweets

Fri, 11 Aug 2017 17:15:38 +0200

Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday that she opposed any use of force to resolve the conflict with North Korea, after President Donald Trump said the US military was "locked and loaded".

Germany urges 'restraint' from North Korea and Trump

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 14:50:58 +0200

Germany on Wednesday urged North Korea and the United States to show "restraint" after apocalyptic threats from President Donald Trump and Pyongyang in their mounting war of words.

Berlin backpackers inadvertently funded North Korea

Sat, 13 May 2017 15:19:48 +0200

It's an unusual dilemma that tourists in Berlin have to grapple with: Will getting into a hostel bunk bed help finance North Korea's nuclear ambitions?

German govt to ban tourist hotspot at North Korean embassy

Wed, 10 May 2017 13:09:17 +0200

Update: The German government has confirmed a media report that as part of plans to increase sanctions against North Korea, officials will ban the operation of a popular tourist hostel at the Asian country's Berlin embassy.

North Korea mistakenly outraged at Berlinale

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 13:25:48 +0100

North Korea turned harsh diplomatic language against Berlin's film festival in the mistaken belief that The Interview, the James Franco and Seth Rogen comedy about a murder plot against dictator Kim Jong Un, will be screened there.

Germany's North Korean embassy remains open

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 19:51:00 +0200

The German Embassy in North Korea will continue working as usual for the time being, following Pyongyang's warnings to several diplomatic missions that their safety could not be guaranteed.

Germany summons North Korean envoy

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:42:00 +0200

Germany summoned North Korea's ambassador Friday to convey Berlin's "serious concern" over the sharp spike in tensions on the Korean peninsula, a spokesman said.

Westerwelle: North Korea ‘playing with fire’

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 12:47:00 +0100

Writing in a column for the Bild tabloid, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Saturday he is very concerned about the threat posed by North Korea.

Germany demands North Korea be punished

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:42:00 +0100

Germany's foreign minister said on Friday he wanted his EU counterparts to consider further measures against North Korea beyond UN sanctions in the wake of Pyongyang's recent provocations.

Germany: UN must mull North Korea sanctions

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:21:00 +0100

The United Nations should consider more sanctions against North Korea as a response to Pyongyang's third nuclear test, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Tuesday.

North Korea seeks German economic advice

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 11:55:00 +0100

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is looking to Germany for advice on how to attract international investment to his isolated dictatorship in 2013, a newspaper reported on Saturday.

North Korean envoy wriggles off hook

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:25:00 +0100

The North Korean ambassador to Germany was caught poaching fish in a Berlin river this week – but waved away police who found him, and carried on with a grin, citing diplomatic immunity.

North Korea claims 'natural wonder' in Berlin

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:04:00 +0100

The official North Korean news agency says a little bird and a flowering plant at the country’s embassy in Berlin were signs of Mother Nature’s grief for the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il – rather than the mild winter.

Koreans look to Germany for reunification advice

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:32:00 +0100

South Korea is betting that closer cooperation with Germany can help it solve problems related to the country’s eventual reunification with North Korea.

Two North Korean footballers test positive for steroids

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:36:00 +0200

The Women's World Cup in Germany was hit by a doping scandal on Thursday after North Korea defenders Song Jong-Sun and Jong Pok-Sim both tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid, football officials announced.

German foreign ministry summons North Korean ambassador

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:33:00 +0100

The German foreign ministry said Wednesday it had summoned Pyongyang's ambassador, following North Korea's bombardment of a South Korean border island which killed two marines and two civilians.

Berlin urges UN action against North Korean missile tests

Mon, 25 May 2009 16:02:00 +0200

Germany on Monday sharply condemned North Korea's latest nuclear test, calling it an "irresponsible provocation" that threatened regional stability.