from this, syria has benefited technologically and north korea has acquired hard currency. >> north korea is trying to promote nuclear development. we suspect that it exports dangerous substances. but what do we know about north korea's ability to produce chemical weapons? >> north korea has strengthened its chemical warfare capabilities since the 1990s largely to offset its disadvantage in conventional military. it has up to 5,000 tons of chemical agents. chemical weapons are one of the most important deterrents for north korea. if used against south korea with long range artillery shells, a large number of casualties would result. we don't know whether or not korea's nuclear weapons are operational today but we know its chemical weapons are. >> north korea has a new leader, kim jong-un. do you think the recent change of leadership will affect relations with the country and syria? >> north korea and syria have two things in common. both of their leaders have inherited power from their fathers and both countries are isolated. so their cooperation is likely to continue in the years to come

from this, syria has benefited technologically and north korea has acquired hard currency. >> north korea is trying to promote nuclear development. we suspect that it exports dangerous substances. but what do we know about north korea's ability to produce chemical weapons? >> north korea has strengthened its chemical warfare capabilities since the 1990s largely to offset its disadvantage in conventional military balance. it has up to 5,000 tons of chemical agents. chemical weapons are one of the most important deterrents for north korea. if used against south korea with long-range artillery shells, a large number of casualties would result. we don't know whether north korea's nuclear weapons are operational today, but we know its chemical weapons are. >> north korea has a new leader, kim jong-un. do you think the recent change of leadership will affect relations between the country and syria? >> north korea and syria have two things in common. both of their leaders have inherited power from their fathers and both countries are isolated. so their cooperation is likely to continue in the ye

republic of korea, and this is the way the regime wants you to see life in north korea, as a utopian paradise. it's not the way melanie kirkpatrick, a senior fellow at the hudson institute sees north korea. she's about to publish a book about the people who've escaped the north and those who have helped them. >> i'd argue, not only is it the most totalitarian regime in existence today, it's probably the most totalitarian regime in existence in history. it is hard to describe to americans the extent of the repression there. >> reporter: kwang jin kim was a north korean banker who defected eight years ago. he now lives in south korea. >> the life in north korea is like hell, you know, and the life outside is like heaven. >> reporter: this is the so-called "demilitarized zone," the heavily militarized buffer zone between the two koreas, which are still technically at war. south korea has one of the world's most prosperous economies. by all accounts, north korea is one of the most oppressive, closed regimes of modern times. as many as two million north koreans have died of starvation. hu

we have been to north korea three times. it was most recently in may. we went there with samaritan purse and frank linn graham. north korea had bad floods and weather and we went there to examine how extensive the famine was. over eye million people died from it. we got a unique chance to go out and talk to members of the north korea countryy side . until then, people when the media went to north korea there was little acess. but because we were there several times. the north koreans gave us greater acess. can you see how many people coming with us . the country has been very gracious to us. but it is -- we don't wander around with complete freedom. but they are gracious letting

china and north korea are traditional alies who fought on the same side in the korea war. for china securing stability in north korea should be the top priority. >> the least thing china wants to see is the chaos in the after math in the passing away of chairman kim jong il. >> a newspaper ran an editorial calling on china to serve as a protector of north korea. to ensure our smooth power of transfer. the article was -- to earn the people's understanding for financial aid to its impoverished neighbor. china considers south korea to be an important economic partner in the region. but it cannot turn its back on the north which is undergoing a crucial leadership change. >> you could call it the price of power in japan. this country has six prime ministers in five years. so perhaps it's no surprise its latest leader is this trouble. hoe took office a few months ago. polls suggest his approval rating is cut in half and herr wearing he might be forced to call a general election this year. first the numbers. our survey suggests 30% of respondents support his cabinet. it's half th

this is the 10th year in a row communist north korea has topped the list. rest are taken up by muslim countries, saudi arabia are second and third by somalia and iran. in fact 38 of the top 50 persecuted countries are muslim countries. >> carl muller is president of open doors u.s.a. i talked with him of how the recent death of kim jong il could effect christians in that country. >> dr. muller, is there any hope thing wills get better now we have a rep cent regime change there? >> yes. well, that is one of the big questions. continues to be evident to us at open doors, north korea is on the same trajectory it has been over the last 60 years. kim jong un who is the new dictator of north korea has followed not only in the footsteps of his father, but grandfather, kim sung. it may indeed get far worse. >> hard to imagine that. >> sudan and nigeria. even today a militant islamic group gave christians three days to get out of northern nigeria. what are you seeing in these countries? why is this happening? >> what we are seeing is a remarkable thing taking place.

the report says north korea will likely carry out another provocation by the end of the year or early next year and the military launched an artillery attack in 2010 on a south korean island. the north has historically allowed tensions to rise at times of uncertainty within the regime. the report says the nuclear or

north korea denies the claim. well a lot more online for you at r.t. dot com including america's foreign policy future president obama received a response from china after saying the u.s. should reduce its military might in asia but. just where it's placed in the region also for you on our web site. the possible reasons behind the failure of russia's first interplanetary mission in years. at r.t.

. >>> north korea has harsh words for the south korea president. now, media are calling him human trash. he visited the zone for the first time since the death of north korean leader, kim jong-il. he instructed forces to remain cautious. he called them the world's most belligerent nation. it's a profanity for the people now in mourning. the agency warned the military and people would punish them without mercy. leaders criticized them for not sending an official mission for kim's death. they will never deal with such a government. >>> south korean and u.s. marines are going to do their first exercise together in 20 years. south korean military officials say it involves landing and flairing exercises in the southeastern city. those stationed in okinawa japan may take part. they plan to conduct military exercises every other year. they did not specify when they would hold this year's drill. it's likely to be part of an annual joint exercise in march. it's a show of force to check military by north korea following kim's death. >>> japan's minister in c

. >>> hopes that north korea would alter its course on nuclear development under its new leadership are quickly fading. the country has announced that it intends to continue to promote its nuclear program under new leader kim jong-un. a statement released by the north's committee for the peaceful reunification of the fath fatherland on thursday referred to south korean president ba k's new year speech. he said if they halted the south would provide it with guaranteed safety and economic assistance through resumption of the six-party talks on the north's nuclear program. the north's statement says nuclear deterrents offer security and that it cannot be traded for some form of aid. it says as long as hostility remains between twot counthe tw countries, the north would continue to strengthen its nuclear capability. the top u.s. diplomat for asia is calling on the chinese government to use its influence to stop the north's new leadership from provoking the south. u.s. assistant secretary of state campbell met south korean chief enjoy on north korea and other senior officials in seoul. after

the president of south korea says the change of leadership in north korea could represent a turning point in relations with pyongyang. let's check in with the latest business news. a change of direction for india's economy. >> since march of 2010, the indian central bank has raised interest rates 13 different times. that may be about to change. let me explain that. the governor of the reserve bank of india has told the bbc that it may reverse its trend of raising interest rates amid fears of a global economic slowdown. the central bank of india has certainly been seen as very aggressive in its interest-rate hikes as it tries to battle and control rising consumer prices. the governor spoke to the bbc and explained that the bank is likely to shift its focus towards boosting growth. >> from here on, we can't expect a reversal of monetary tactics -- we can expect a reversal monetary tactics, but it is difficult to say when that will take place. we have to be mindful of the fact that even as inflation is expected to trend down, there are -- the depreciation of the rubpy. we are more mindful of

the best we can do is be ready. >> north korea over the past few weeks has. their army and public squares. south korea at with fewer soldiers is offering a different image, a military that it once to be slim and strong, relied more on skills than simple numbers. it is rare to be allowed to get this close to special korean -- south korea's special forces, but this art -- this is a new time. the sudden change in leadership in north korea has meant pressure to prove they are fully prepared. even the soldiers have to begin with the basics. first-class military skiing, for beginners. south korea relies on, scripps. every male citizen it is meant to serve for two years, a steady supply of cheap soldiers, but it also means that few of them have much experience. as south griot watches the signs of military changed -- as south korea watches the signs of military change across the border, they are still training. >>> it is two years now since the devastating earthquake in haiti. >> yes, january, 2010, and magnitude 7 earthquake hit the central american country and kill

it focuses mostly on kim jong un's links to north korea's military. it shows him riding horse back, inspecting army units and getting on a tank. state media reported kim jong un companied his father to inspect missiles in 2009. he has made it clear he will press forward with the military first policy promoted by kim jong il. we have some more insight. tell us more about what north korea's state run media have been doing to promote kim jong un? >> they have -- it's likely a sign of the regime's eergness to sell him as the legitimate successor. kim jong un made his first appearance in north korean media in september 2010. it happened during the nomination of new party leadership. a photograph showed him sitting two places to the right of his father. he held the title of vice chairman of the party's central commission. kim jong un featured prominently during his father's funeral. he began commander in chief of the armed forces on december 30th, the day the official period of mourning ended. the state tv biography you mentioned repeatedly shows kim jong u

how frustrating is it that you cannot get into north korea? how difficult is it to come up with the accurate report without having access to the country? >> the reporting on the situation in the country has been undertaken for almost a decade now by 80 special office. there are a number of reports by the secretary general, by the ngo's, by the world food program. also through meetings with asylum seekers. the only thing that has prevented me from going into the country is being denied a visa. judging from the quantity and quality of reports, it is almost a total description of what is actually going on in the country. i am not in any way doubtful of the basis of these reports. this is a picture of what is actually going on in the country. >> what have your findings been thus far? >> well, in a quick take of the situation there -- is a country that is consistently in capable of meeting the requirements of the population in terms of food , then there is a serious incapacity of the state to promote human rights. on top of that, all rights in the

in north korea. we are involved. we don't want to have to deploy over there because of north korea so belergerent. >> scouth korea can defend themselves. there is a treaty. treaties can be end. south korea president when bush was in office asked if we could end the war. >> they have more arstillly in the north korea and within 32 of 40 million people. >> true. true. but we help our friends. whether it is smaller, sure. the problem is i have cut them and bring them all home. >> cut foreign aid . cut to egypt and israel and everyone. >> first of the all israel wouldn't exist. >> it would. >> we have -- the dollars and helping them stay. >> three billion a year and one and half percent of the cogross domestic product. that is essential to the israelis . paul would say stop it. >> also stop it egypt and jordan. >> governor paul or congressman paul wants everything stopped and that's my issue with him. it is not a reasonable approach to anything. >> and the point is, israeli want the aid because people wh

. >> north korea has paraded its 1 million man army in public squares. south korea, with fewer soldiers, is offering a different image. a military it wants to be slim and strong, relying more on skills than simple numbers. it's rare to be allowed to get this close to south korea and special forces. these are unusual times. the sudden change of leadership in north korea has meant increased pressure on units like this one to prove they are fully prepared. even elite soldiers have to begin with the basic spirit in this class, military skiing for beginners. every male citizen is meant to serve for two years. it also means many of them have low experience. the camaraderie here on the mountain has a new attention here this winter. lucy williamson, bbc news, south korea. >> the afghan president karzai has condemned a video apparently showing four u.s. marines urinating on what appears to be dead insurgents in afghanistan. that's all for the moment. stay with us here on "bbc world news." come. is plenty more to bumpe >> make sense of international news. bbc.com/

the report says north korea will likely carry out another provocation by the end of the year or early next year and the military launched an artillery attack in 2010 on a south korean island. the north has historically allowed tensions to rise at times of uncertainty within the regime. the report says the nuclear or missile test could be timed to coincide with a presidential elections later this year in the u.s. and south korea. the north may test a more sophisticated uranium-type nuclear weapon to stress leadership abilities of kim jong un. the report says that the north will try to consolidate the new regime by re-opening dialogue with the u.s. and returning to the six-party talks on its nuclear development. but it predicts the stalemate between the two koreas will continue as the north increases criticism of the government of president bach. the u.s. has offered to send vitamin but the north has asked for rice and corn. some experts say kim jong un doesn't want people to know the foot shipments are foreign aid. the north korean industry issued a statement saying u.s. offered to res

korea to the war old and maybe the war old to north korea. r.t. more sco our prospects for the struggling european currency remain low in the new year as the euro fell sharply at the end of twenty eleven debt burden countries are racing to implement more sturdy measures with spain announcing almost nine billion years in cuts investment advisor patrick young says he doubts the single currency still has a viable chance of survival. unfortunately the prognosis for the new year must be one of a terrible hangover it is absolutely to my mind clear that we are going to have a crushing recession it's a tragedy but the european union has alternately made no effort to resolve its problems we've had one shower after another sham after another sham and they've been spelt summit and unfortunately there's just nothing at this juncture that gives us any reason to be remotely optimistic apart from the fact that we're going into a new calendar year the euro is living on borrowed time it has been on life support for the last six months it could survive on life

korea to the world and maybe their war old to north korea. r.t. more sco prospects for the struggling european currency remain low in the new year as the euro fell sharply at the end of twenty eleven debt ridden countries are bracing to implement more sturdy measures with spain announcing almost nine billion euros and cuts professor of competition law dr marcus kerber says whether the single currency lives or dies will be determined this year two thousand and twelve is going to be the decisive year for the euro are the we have to be breaking decisions. which means that we could even take into consideration whether or not to split up the us or the euro will not survive anyway the rescue directors as we have see this form one of the half years but no will not be able to continue because it is only curing the syndromes treating the symptoms without trying to put an end to the fundamental mismatch within the eurozone that there is a lack of competitiveness having tighter for fiscal controls mean that the nation states give up a fundamental part o

korea to the world and maybe their war old to north korea. written off r.t. moscow. russia of course welcome twenty twelve in with a buying being the world's biggest country the celebrated new year's times there we go it is all about figs two it's nine time zones with the country's far east kicking kicking off the festivities and russia's western most point the baltic city of kaliningrad finishing them off while hundreds also gathered in moscow's red square of course to toast those pictures from their world was treated to last celebrations and fireworks all over the globe let's take a look at the pictures from new york we are times square for the ceremonial ball dropping at midnight the festivities two iconic saying from australia the bridge lighting up among the first countries to open its doors to the new littering fall over sydney harbor asia to thinking about with spectacular shows across the region pretty scene from dubai as well hundreds gathered in the world's tallest building to watch the amazing illumination display their lives revel

that's how the change at the top was described in north korea. in his new year's message, he said 2012 would usher in an opportunity for better relations. as we report from seoul, he warns that both countries also face uncertainty. >> the president described the new year as a significant turning point for peace on the korean peninsula. he said that following the death of kim jong il changes and uncertainties were expected, but there could also be new opportunities. if north korea comes forward with sincerity, we will open a new era for the korean peninsula together. through dialogue we should get rid of distrust between each other and go towards mutual respect and pros period of time. >> the president said that window was still open for the north and fit halted its nuclear program, the seoul government was ready to return to talks and even help the north revive its beleaguered economy. but there was also a warning sent across the board. president lee cautioned that if the north did engage in any hostile provocations, the south would respond firml

. >>> the leaders of south korea and china have agreed to monitor north korea's moves as the new leadership establishes itself. the south korea president lee myung-bak andinin held a summit. visiting china to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. officials from the south korean presidential office say the leaders agree to work together towards a peaceful, stable and nuclear-free korean peninsula. but they agreed it would be difficult to restart negotiations on the north's nuclear program or bilateral talks between the two koreas. they believe the new north korean leadership is unlikely to want dialogue with other countries at this stage. the leaders also talked about efforts to forge a free trade agreement. the president said his country hopes to begin talks with china by march. and the president also discussed last month's deadly incident in the yellow sea. a chinese fishing boat captain fatally stabbed a south korean maritime police officer. the chinese side reportedly promised to educate its fishermen to prevent similar attacks. >>> three north kore

korea to the world and maybe their war old to north korea riff not r.t. moscow. for twenty pm on the first day of the new year here in moscow of course russia welcomed two thousand and twelve with a bang being the world's biggest country it celebrated new year not once not twice but nine times thanks to its nine different time zones with the country's far east kickstarting the festivities and russia's a western most point the baltic city of kaliningrad finishing off while hundreds also gathered in moscow's red square to toast the new year of the world was treated to operation so far works over the globe to hawaii has just become the latest now to ring in the new year while australia was among the first countries to open its doors to the new year with glittering fireworks all over sydney harbor asia picked up the baton with spectacular shows held across the region and in dubai hundreds gathered at the world's tallest building to watch an amazing illumination display millions of revelers packing cities all over europe for the countdown to midnight with cele

wants to continue to exchange views with china about north korea. another u.s. official said that china wants to monitor the progress of the new north korean leader, kim jong-un. nhk's correspondent in beijing says that china is exercising caution to avoid provoking north korea. >>> pro-democracy activists in myanmar are saying the number of political prisoners released by the government so far falls short of what western countries had expected. the pro-democracy activists say at least 33 short-term prisoners have been freed, far fewer than the more than 1,000 prisoners the united states and european nations have set as a condition for lifting economic sanctions. the activists also say no major political prisoners serving long sentences have been granted amnesty. that includes those involved in activities against the former military-led government. last month u.s. secretary of state hillary clinton urged the current military dominated myanmar government to release all political prisoners. on wednesday president thein sein called for national reconciliation in hi

formal discussions between japan and north korea on the issue have been stalled since 2008. the families are aging. the average age of parents is over 85 years old. >> the change of leadership in north korea after the death of kim john-il is an opportunity to resolve the abduction issue. i urged the prime minister to use this chance. >>> north korea's leader kim jong-un inspected a tank force on sunday. he was officially appointed supreme commander of the military on saturday, a position held by his late father. the country's state media said that the inspection was conducted along with kim jong-il's brother-in-law and the chief of the north korean people's army general staff. kim jong-un told the tank force to prepare for action and maintain its readiness to react to any situation as quickly as possible. our correspondent says that kim jong-un visited a military unit as soon as possible to strengthen his position as successor to his father. >>> an arab advisory body is calling for immediate withdrawal of arab league monitoring team in syria. the arab parliament of represent

, north korea has paraded their million man army. south korea it is showing a slim and strong military, relying more on skilled and simple numbers. it is rare to be allowed this close to south korean special forces, but these are unusual times. the sudden change of leadership in north korea has met a huge pressure on units like this to prove they are fully prepared. even elite soldiers have to begin with the basics. this class? military skiing, for beginners. south korea relies on conscripts. every male citizen is meant to serve out two years. it makes for a steady supply of cheap soldiers, but it also be -- it also means fewer of them have much experience. as south korea watches for signs of change across the defacto border, the camaraderie on the mountain has a new tension. >>> michelle obama has challenged and a count of her role in the white house that appeared in a book. she denies she has been battling her husband's top aides, as steve kingston reports. >> she is a trendsetter, role model, and working mother. what does michelle

for instance, north korea is a good example. i went over there in 1994 to help prevent an almost certain war between north and south korea. i negotiated with kim il-sun, the grandfather, and the most revered leader, and worked out an agreement that he would do away with nuclear weapons and that he would have peace with north korea and south korea. and president clinton adopted that agreement and put it into effect. unfortunately, when president bush came into office, george w. bush, he threw all that in the waist basket. syria is a different proposition. that's a case where the people are rising up, the regime in power, nobody knows how much support they have among their own people, still are very abusive, and i think the world is very reluctant to go in like we did in libya, to have a military operation against syria. it's a much more powerful company and much more a respected country, having been there since ancient times. >> should assad go, though, do you think? >> i think assad is very likely to go in the next few months, m

wants to continue to exchange views with china about north korea. another u.s. official said that china wants to monitor the progress of the new north korean leader, kim jong-un. nhk's correspondent in beijing says that china is exercising caution to avoid provoking north korea. >>> mitt romney is a step closer to becoming the leader of the u.s. republican party. and he got there thanks to eight votes. the former massachusetts governor came out on top in the gop's first contest to pick their candidate for november's presidential elections, squeaking past former senator rick santorum to win the iowa caucuses. official results posted by the republican party of iowa say romney grabbed 30,015 votes and santorum took a 30,007. the pair fought a neck and neck contest all day. gop members in the midwestern state voted tuesday. returns poured in from around -- from about 1,800 locations to their headquarters in the capital of des moines. in the end, both men walked away with more than 24% of the vote. romney has highlighted his ability to revitalize the economy. >> this

wants to continue to exchange views with china about north korea. another u.s. official said that china wants to monitor the progress of the new north korean leader, kim jong un. nhk's correspondent in beijing says that china is exercising caution to avoid provoking north korea. >>> pro-democracy activists in myanmar say the number of political prisoners released by the government so far falls short of what western countries had expected. the pro-democracy activists say at least 33 short-term prisoners have been freed, far fewer than the more than 1,000 prisoners the united states and european nations have set as a condition for lifting economic sanctions. the activists also say no major political prisoners serving long sentences have been granted amnesty. that includes those involved in activities against the former military-led government. last month u.s. secretary of state hillary clinton urged the current military-dominated myanmar government to release all political prisoners. on wednesday president thein sein called for national reconciliation in his indep

has offered to send vitamin tablets and biscuits to north korea, but the north has instead asked for rice and corn. some experts say kim jong-un doesn't want his people to know the food shipments are foreign aid. a statement was released last may saying the u.s. offered to resume food shipments. the u.s. has suspended assistance for more than two years, but the statement said the u.s. has drastically changed the types of food being sent. analysts say the ministry aims to underscore a promise made by the u.s. to deliver the remaining 300,000 tons of grain. >>> a nationwide monitoring system malfunctioned last month, sparking widespread concern. the operator says the system stopped operating due to poor maintenance. the emergency response and support system failed to transmit data to terminal screens at the nuclear and industrial safety agency for more than 24 # hours from december 30th. the agency also failed to notice the problem for more than one hour. the system monitors pressure, temperature, and other real-time conditions of reactors around the country as well as radiation levels