S EOUL—Kim Jong Un’s top military officers have returned from Russia, suggesting North Korea’s combat contributions could take a back seat and potentially allow for Pyongyang’s role to be played down in any peace talks over the war in Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stressed his order of a quick expansion of his forces' nuclear capabilities, citing the annual U.S.-South Korea military exercises, according to the country's state media.

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said her country will never see South Korea as a partner for diplomacy