A toast, by Eoin Mac Giolla Padraig: A long life and a happy one a quick death and an easy one a good woman and a pretty one a bottle of wine and another one a defence lawyer in the family and a damn good one

China asks N. Korea to join ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative While North Korea was not considered sufficiently financially transparent to be allowed to become a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, its cooperation is key to the success of any and all planned infrastructure projects involving China, Russia and South Korea. Visit NK News for More

North Korea to develop new international tourism zone North Korea is developing a new international tourist zone in Samjiyon County, close to the China-North Korea border. The area already has an airport, and can be expected to attract visitors interested in climbing Mt. Paektu. Visit NK News for more

S. Korea, U.S. to wrap up joint drill this week (The Korea Herald) South Korea and the United States are to complete their annual joint military drill Foal Eagle this week, officials here said Thursday, amid Pyongyang's continued threat of retaliation.

Kim Jong-un-Xi summit to take place when convenient (Yonhap News) Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un when it is convenient for them, China's foreign ministry said Thursday.

Kremlin ready for bilateral talks with Kim Jong Un: Putin aide According to Yury Urashov, North Korea has "promised" that Kim Jong-Un will be in Moscow for the May celebrations, and some form of bilateral meeting with President Putin will take place. Visit NK News for more

South Korea to punish factories for raising wages (The Guardian) South Korea has said it will punish three factory owners for bowing to North Korean pressure in a wage dispute over workers at the Kaesong joint industrial zone.