Only at NK-MHI News:​ N. Korea calls for bumper “nuclear bomb” rice harvest in response to sanctions, By Dagyum Ji Rodong Sinmun says low gasoline supplies and drought affecting production Youth hostel renting space from N. Korea’s Berlin embassy denies DPRK ties, By Leo Byrne The City Hostel Berlin has found itself accused of a possible UN sanctions breach Cambodia’s Prince Ranariddh to visit North Korea, By Oliver Hotham Prince, whose father built close ties with North Korea, says he hopes to prevent “nuclear war” Post-election, how can Beijing and Seoul cooperate on North Korea? By Seoyeon Kim Sejong Insitute scholar Seong-Hyon Lee argues Moon must mend ties with Beijing Unsung Heroes: Who is behind Kim Jong Un’s economic reforms? By Fyodor Tertitskiy A North Korean perestroika is taking place, but it is being pushed by officials with little sway

Top NK-MHI Stories from around the web: S. Korea to dispatch veteran politician to China forum for possible fence-mending (Yonhap News) South Korea will dispatch a veteran politician with close ties with President Moon Jae-in to join a key Chinese government forum to be held in Beijing next week, the presidential office said Friday, heralding a possible recovery of the bilateral relations marred by the deployment of an American-built defense system here… Malaysia considering N. Korea travel warning before Asian Cup preliminary (Yonhap News) Malaysia, which has been at serious diplomatic odds over the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half brother Kim Jong-nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport early this year, is studying the issuance of a North Korea travel warning in order to change the venue of its upcoming Asian Cup preliminary… China Tests New Missile Close to Korean Peninsula (The Diplomat) The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) has conducted a number of weapons tests, which included the launch of a new missile type in the northeastern Bohai Sea close to the Korean Peninsula, the Information Bureau of China’s Ministry of National Defense announced on May 9… Malnourished soldiers ordered to toil in fields (Daily NK) It has been reported that military officials of the 42nd Brigade stationed in Samsu County, Ryanggang Province, have mobilized soldiers for personal gain and farming duties despite pervasive malnutrition throughout North Korea’s armed forces… Will Gasoline Prices Shake Pyongyang? (The Peninsula) A cutoff of Chinese crude oil would be very problematic for Kim Jong Un as he pursues his byongjin line. “Looking forward, the price volatility suggests the North Korean landmass might not be the only thing shaking following its next nuclear test, and opens new avenues for affecting change in North Korean society. With widespread markets for commodities and services…” -MHI