A Japanese court has held North Korea responsible for human rights violations against four plaintiffs lured to the country by false promises of a "paradise on Earth."

North Korea is claiming its latest missile launch verified an improved rocket launcher’s strike capability, mobility, intelligence and accuracy.

North Korea says its leader Kim Jong Un oversaw successful test firing of "large-caliber rockets" on Tuesday. State-run Korean Central Television reported on Wednesday that four of the weapons hit a target in waters 358.5 kilometers from the launch site. It said the launches were carried out to verify new technology.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said North Korea continues to produce nuclear material at a pace that could allow it to add up to 20 nuclear weapons a year, underscoring concerns that Pyongyang has no intention of slowing its nuclear program.

The court ruled the four plaintiffs had “most of their lives taken away” by Pyongyang. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The following is a summary of domestic news in North Korea this week. ------------ Pyongyang briefly reports Kim's New Year's greeting to China's Xi SEOUL -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un sent a New Year's message to Chinese President Xi Jinping,

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited an art studio on Sunday to guide the creation of sculptures to be displayed at a memorial for North Korean troops who died fighting