Thirteen North Koreans working at a restaurant based outside the country have defected to South Korea, the Unification Ministry says, marking the first mass defection since the United Nations passed powerful economic sanctions against the communist country last month.

North Korea fires another short-range missile off its east coast on Friday, South Korean officials said, as regional leaders met in Washington to discuss the threat of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

North Korea warns that its military is ready to attack Seoul's presidential palace unless South Korean President Park Geun-hye apologizes for "treason" and publicly executes officials responsible for what Pyongyang says are plans to attack its leadership.

South Korean health authorities say a man who recently returned home from Brazil has been confirmed to be infected with the Zika virus.

North Korea fires five short-range missiles into the sea off its east coast -- the latest in a series of launches ordered by leader Kim Jong-Un amid rising military tensions.

North Korea fires a ballistic missile into the sea, South Korean and US officials say.

A small artificial earthquake has been detected in North Korea, according to South Korean officials who say it was probably due to "blasting work".

Google's artificial intelligence (AI) program on beat South Korean professional Lee Sedol in the ancient board game Go, recovering from Sunday's loss to win its fourth match in a five-game series.

North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea, South Korea's military has said.

North Korea warns of "indiscriminate" nuclear strikes on the US and South Korea as they begin their largest ever military drills.

South Korean defence ministry claims that North Korea fired several short-range projectiles into the sea.

South Korean opposition lawmakers have ended a parliamentary filibuster that lasted 192 hours, which is believed to have set a new world record.

President Obama has signed off new expanded sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear programme, weeks after it launched a long-range rocket.

North Korea executes its army chief of staff Ri Yong-gil, according to unconfirmed South Korean media reports.

Asian markets continue their downward trend, with Japan failing more than 7% in two days.

South Korea is to suspend operations at a jointly run industrial park in North Korea following the North's recent rocket launch and nuclear test.

A satellite sent into space by North Korea is in orbit but it is not yet clear whether it is working, South Korea's defence ministry has said.

The UN Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting later following North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket.

North Korea has brought forward the possible date of a controversial "satellite" launch to as early as Sunday, regional governments say.

In South Korea, where dogs are considered a traditional delicacy and have only recently become popular as pets, Jung's love for her canine friends is viewed by some as odd. But others see her as a champion of animal rights.