SEOUL, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The United States has until 2012 to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear program, a former U.S. diplomat says.

SEOUL, July 15 (UPI) -- North Korea's No. 2 man might seize power after the expected death of Kim Jong Il, who is believed to have pancreatic cancer, Korean intelligence sources said.

Sotomayor hearings begin:

PYONGYANG, North Korea, July 8 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Il looked frail when seen attending a memorial for Kim Il Sung, his father and the country's founder, CNN reported.

PYONGYANG, North Korea, July 8 (UPI) -- A memorial service was held in North Korea Wednesday to mark the 15th anniversary of the death of the country's founder Kim Il Sung, state media said.

The memorial service Tuesday for Michael Jackson was marked by poignant comments from the singer's 11-year-old daughter, Paris Jackson.

UPI Almanac for Wednesday, July 8, 2009.

SEOUL, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- North Korea acknowledged Tuesday it is preparing to launch what it claims is a satellite, in its first official response to weeks of intelligence reports that it is gearing up to test-fire a rocket believed to be a long-range ballistic missile.

PYONGYANG, North Korea, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- More energy production will help North Korea meet its economic goals for 2009 and beyond, the country's leader, Kim Jong Il , said during a power plant visit.