North Korea Fires Unidentified Ballistic Missile: Yonhap

AFP/APP

Seoul: North Korea on Monday launched an unidentified ballistic missile towards the east, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported, citing the military Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff gave no further details about the launch, saying an analysis was under way, Yonhap said.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not offer immediate confirmation of the launch.

The launch comes several days after North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a multiple warhead missile, but the South said that Wednesday’s launch ended in a mid-air explosion.

Read Link: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231124001300315

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has defended its decision to exclude US President Donald Trump from consideration for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, stating that the award is based solely on merit and remains free from political or media influence.

In an official statement, Committee Chair Jürgen Watane-Friedens emphasized that the selection process adheres strictly to Alfred Nobel’s original principles. “Our decisions are based on merit, not campaigns or public appeals,” he said, reaffirming the committee’s independence.

According to reports, nominations for the 2025 Peace Prize closed on January 31—just days after Trump’s inauguration on January 20—meaning that his recent diplomatic efforts, including the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, were not eligible for consideration this year.

Trump’s Campaign for Prize Backfires

Analysts suggest that Trump’s overt push for recognition may have undermined his chances.

“The committee wants to protect its independence from political influence,” said Theo Zeno, a researcher at the Henry Jackson Society. “Trump’s open lobbying likely reinforced the perception that he was trying to pressure the process.”

Experts also noted that the Nobel Committee rarely reconsiders its decisions based on last-minute diplomatic developments or newly signed peace deals.