and correspondentjohn sudworth on the challenges of reporting from north korea, surrounded by government. my myjob is to work out how far i can push being a nuisance and an annoyance without getting me or my tea m annoyance without getting me or my team into difficulty. tuesday morning saw one of those moments when, after an hour of speculative gossip, almost everyone here in the niche broadcasting house , the newsroom here at. listened to an announcement, takes a deep breath and embarks on a period of frenzied, journalistic activity which, in this case, could last for seven weeks here is the bombshell. i have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet, where we agreed that the government should call a general election, to be held on the 8th ofjune. all day, reporters and presenters flocked to downing street. occasionally there was some activity. mrjohnson, are you looking forward to an early election? 0k. that's obviously... cabinet ministers have been in there since 8:30am. they're now leaving. mr hunt, are you looking forward to an election? i get a feeling it's going to be a futile task.

and correspondentjohn sudworth on the challenges of reporting from north korea, surrounded by government far i can push being a nuisance and an annoyance without getting me or my team into difficulty. tuesday morning saw one of those moments when, after an hour of speculative gossip, almost everyone here in broadcasting house listened to an announcement, takes a deep breath and embarks on a period of frenzied, journalistic activity which, in this case, could last for seven weeks. here is the bombshell. i have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet, where we agreed that the government should call a general election, to be held on the 8th ofjune. all day, reporters and presenters flocked to downing street. 0ccasionally there was some activity. mrjohnson, are you looking forward to an early election? 0k. that's obviously... cabinet ministers have been in there since 8:30am. they're now leaving. mr hunt, are you looking forward to an election? i get a feeling it's going to be a futile task. no one is going to want to trump theresa may. they will be very obedient and walk straight down the str

south korea, to discuss ways of forcing the north to disarm. to discuss ways of forcing our correspondentjohn sudworthital pyongyang, where his movements are being monitored and tightly controlled. are being monitored this flower show, like almost everything else in north korea, is dedicated to its ruling family. is this is the standard of national defence... and this display is in honour of their abiding obsession, missiles. of their abiding obsession, is it a little strange to have rockets and missiles in a flower show? rockets and missiles in a no. rockets and missiles in a not strange at all. rockets and missiles in a there are reports that there was a missile test this morning. yes? was a missile test this morning. and some suggestions that it failed, have you heard these reports? that it failed, have this is not a failure. that it failed, have we will win and we will have greater successes in the future. there has so far been no mention of the missile on north korean tv. no mention of the but it's true. no mention of the every launch, failure or not, takes the military one step closer to its goa

our correspondentjohn sudworth is one of a group of foreign journalists invited to the north korean capitaltness its parade. his movements are being monitored and tightly controlled. as the parade began, the ground shook. a city at the centre of a mounting crisis echoed to the sound of marching feet. presiding over it all was kim jong—un, apparently untroubled by the international pressure over the now realistic prospect of this most totalitarian states becoming a fully fledged nuclear power. and while president donald trump may be promising to stop it, north korea has other ideas. it is an extraordinary sight. this is state power expressed as mass unity, and it is meant to send two key messages. to the north korean people, that their young leader's grip on power is unassailable, and to the outside world, that he commands massive military capability. we will respond to nuclear war with nuclear war, a senior official told the crowds. a statement given extra force by the rolling out of these weapons, which analysts say may be north korea's first intercontinental ballistic missiles. but while

our correspondentjohn sudworth is in the north korean capital, pyongyang.rything else in north korea, is dedicated to its ruling family. this is the stand of national defence industry... and this display is in honour of their abiding obsession, missiles. is it a little strange to have rockets and missiles in a flower show? no, not strange at all. there are reports that there was a missile test this morning... yeah. ..and some suggestions that it failed. have you heard these reports? this is not a failure. we will win, and we will have greater successes in the future. there has so far been no mention of the missile on north korean tv. but it is true, every launch, failure or not, takes the military one step closer to its goal. the timing of the latest missile test is significant, coming just a few hours before the us vice president, mike pence, arrived in the south korean capital, seoul. it is a message of defiance from here in pyongyang. its quest to become a fully—fledged nuclear power continues. at its big military parade yesterday, it put some of its new

our correspondentjohn sudworth, whose movements are being monitored by authorities there, sent us thisured into central pyongyang in their tens of thousands. of citizens and soldiers alike, north korea has always demanded displays of mass devotion. and, at the front of the crowd, there was kim jong—un, celebrating not a missile launch or a rocket test, but the construction of pyongyang's newest street. the inauguration of a few tower blocks and shops would, anywhere else, raise barely a murmur. in pyongyang, it is met with rapturous applause. it might seem like an extraordinary celebration to mark the opening of a street, but it is about so much more than that. it is about economic survival, resilience, and sending a message to the outside world of total loyalty to the leader. the country's prime minister, pak pong—ju, told the crowd that the opening of the new street sends a more powerful signal to the world than any number of nuclear bombs. but in reality, for north korea, bombs are vital. with reports that another nuclear test may be imminent, we are taken on a tour of a school. the

our correspondentjohn sudworth is in pyongyang with a group of foreign journalists invited to witnessovements are being closely monitored. he filed his report before the parade began. they sing. in north korea, the spectre of war looms large over daily life. these girls are singing about being soldiers... while, not far away, real ones crowd into a shrine to the country's founding president, general kim il—sung. these are scenes akin to a religious pilgrimage, but of course, in honour of a still ruling family dynasty who have at their disposal all of the myth that would rival any of the world's great religions. and as the country prepares to display its devotion at the anniversary of kim il—sung's birth this weekend, there's an awareness of the rising tension with america. translation: we should have the nuclear weapons. if we do not have nuclear weapons, the nuclear weapon of another country will fall on our soil. translation: it doesn't matter whether the americans make the situation on the korean peninsula tense. it doesn't matter. we feel safe because we have the great leader, kim

our correspondentjohn sudworth was invited to witness the event. being tightly controlled, but earlier he described the scene in pyongyang. it's an extraordinary sight. you can actually feel the ground shake as thousands upon thousands of goose—stepping soldiers, tanks, rockets and other weaponry have marched and rumbled their way through the capital city. this is a display of unity for the young north korean leader and it's meant, of course, to send a key message on the anniversary of his grandfather's birth that his grip on power is unassailable, but as donald trump threatens to thwart his nuclear ambitions, it also sends a message to the outside world that this country's military with its nuclear tests and missile launches is vital for its survival and military analysts will, of course, be pouring over these pictures for evidence of the latest state of technological advancement of these forces. there is that speculation that it maybe preparing for another underground nuclear test. i think it's probably unlikely that we'll see a test today, but k

the north korean vice foreign minister was speaking to our correspondentjohn sudworth in the north koreananslation: if the us is reckless enough to use military means, it would mean, from that very day, an all—out war. our nuclear weapons protect us from that threat. we will be conducting more missile threats on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. today, the us vice president, mike pence, was in south korea, if you could send one message to donald trump today what would it be? translation: i would tell him that if the united states encroachers on oui’ if the united states encroachers on our sovereignty, then it will provoke an immediate counter reaction. if the us is planning a military attack against us, we will react with a nuclear pre—emptive strike by our own style and methods. president trump was asked about north korea at easter celebrations on monday. this is what he said. any comment on north korea? they've got to behave. the country with most to fear from the rising tensions is of course south korea. our correspondent stephen evans is in the capital seoul. have a look around. it

because of concerns that north korea is preparing to carry out another nuclear test. 0ur correspondentjohn sudworthg monitored and tightly controlled. it's an extraordinary sight.

our correspondentjohn sudworth is in the north korean capital, where his movements are being monitoredd. this flower show, like almost everything else in north korea, is dedicated to its ruling family. this is the stand of national defence... and this display is in honour of their abiding obsession, missiles. is it a little strange to have rockets and missiles in a flower show? no, not strange at all. there are reports that there was a missile test this morning. yeah. ..and some suggestions that it failed. have you heard these reports? this is not a failure. we will win, and we will have greater successes in the future. there has so far been no mention of the missile on north korean tv. but it is true, every launch, failure or not, takes the military one step closer to its goal. the timing of the latest missile test is significant, coming just a few hours before the us vice president, mike pence, arrived in the south korean capital, seoul. it is a message of defiance from here in pyongyang. its quest to become a fully—fledged nuclear power continues. at its big military parade yesterda

our correspondentjohn sudworth is in pyongyang with the latest.almost certain that the missile test is sent and meant as a deterrent, it came just a few hours before the visit to the south korean capital seoul by the us vice president mike pence. and it's a day after north korea held a massive military parade, a show of strength typical of this most totalitarian of states and at which it unveiled what are believed to be its first intercontinental missiles. it's worth noting that in many regards this is business as usualfor north korea. it has long used brinkmanship and tension to up the ante and then win diplomatic and economic concessions economic concessions then it steps back from the brink. but with each cycle, moving one step closer towards its goal of becoming a fully fledged nuclear power. what's new in all of this is not what's happening in this capital but in washington, of course, but it seems north korea's actions suggest it's confident that president donald trump, will, like his predecessors before him, eventually conclude that the cos

stephen evans, bbc news, seoul. 0ur correspondentjohn sudworth is in the north korean capital, pyongyangier gave us his assessment of the situation. his movements are being monitored and tightly controlled. in many ways this is business as usualfor north korea, using brinkmanship and tension to up the ante and then win diplomatic and economic concessions as it steps back from the brink. but with each cycle moving one step closer to its goal of becoming a fully fledged nuclear power. what is new in this is not what is happening in this capital but in washington. but it seems that north korea's actions suggest that it is confident that president donald trump will like his predecessors eventually conclude that the cost of military action is simply too great. donald trump has made his first comment on twitter since that missile launch. in the last half an hour his security adviser has reiterated, saying they are working with china to develop a range of options for north korea, which he calls a hostile regime, and he says that everything is on the table. latest reports say 68 children are bel

it would seem the warnings from washington are not yet having the desired effect. 0ur correspondentjohn sudworthyongyang has been speaking to the vice foreign minister han song—ryol who says despite the threats the missile tests will go on. if the us is reckless enough to use military means it would mean from that very day and all—out war. 0ur nuclear weapons protect us from that threat. we have been conducting more missile tests on a weekly, monthly, yearly basis. if you could send one message to president trump today what would it be? translation: i would tell him that if the us in croke is on our sovereignty it will provoke an immediate tea counterreaction. if they are planning a military attack against us we will retire with a nuclear pre—emptive strike by our own style and methods. and we can speak now to former us ambassador to south korea, christopher hill. we don't get to hear from the vice foreign minister of north korea very often, what is your reaction to what he said? it is an example of their customary charm. usually this is how they react to what they perceive as threats. you recal

stephen evans, bbc news, seoul. 0ur correspondentjohn sudworth is in the north korean capital, pyongyangr gave us this assessment of the situation. his movements are being monitored and tightly controlled. in many ways this is business as usualfor north korea, using brinkmanship to win diplomatic and economic concessions as it steps back from the brink. but with each cycle moving one step closer to its goal of becoming a fully fledged nuclear power. what is new in this is not what is happening in this capital but in washington. it seems that north korea's actions suggest that north korea's actions suggest that it that north korea's actions suggest thatitis that north korea's actions suggest that it is confident that president donald trump will like his predecessors eventually conclude that the cost of military action is simply too great. iam i am looking that a tweet that donald trump has sent out in the last few hours. interesting that he uses the phrase currency manipulator, which he did use in reference to china during the election campaign. but also talking about working with china,

the north korean vice foreign minister was speaking to our correspondentjohn sudworth in the north koreanere his movements are being closely monitored. north korea is all about shows of strength. the first today came in this tae kwon do demonstration. the next, in kim il—sung square, close to the centre of power, by way of a rare interview. translation: if the us is reckless enough to use military means, it would mean, from that very day, an all—out war. our nuclear weapons protect us from that threat. we will be conducting more missile threats on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. today, the us vice president, mike pence, was in south korea, visiting the demilitarised zone that separates the two halves of this divided peninsula. he, too, was talking tough. it was a period of strategic patience but the era of strategic patience is over. president trump has made it clear that the patience of the united states and our allies in this region has run out. but, despite the posturing on both sides, the risks are limited. for the us and its allies, war would be far too costly. and north korea's

stephen evans, bbc news, seoul. 0ur correspondentjohn sudworth is in the north korean capital pyongyangssment of the situation. his movements are being monitored and tightly controlled. in many regards this is business as usualfor north korea. it in many regards this is business as usual for north korea. it has long used when friendship and tension to the anti and when business and economic concessions as it steps back from the brink but with each cycle moving one step closer towards its goal of becoming a fully fledged nuclear power. but it's not what's happening in this capital but in washington of course and it seems the actions of north korea believes it is confident that president trump will like his predecessors before him, eventually conclude that the cost of military action is simply too great. more than a hundred people, many of them children, are now thought to have died in yesterday's suicide bomb attack in syria. a convoy of coaches was carrying evacuees in a pre—arranged exchange between the syrian government and some rebel groups when the car bomb exploded. the blast, on t

our correspondentjohn sudworth has been allowed into the highly secretive country with a number of othereport from the capital pyongyang — his movements have been monitored and tightly controlled. they poured into central pyongyang in their tens of thousands. of citizens and soldiers alike, north korea has always demanded displays of mass devotion. and at the front of the crowd, there was kim jong un. celebrating not a missile launch or a rocket test but the construction of pyongyang's newest street. the inauguration of a few tower blocks and shops would, anywhere else, raise barely a murmur. in pyongyang, it's met with rapturous applause. it might seem like an extraordinary celebration to mark the opening of a street, but it's about so much more than that. it's about economic survival, resilience, and sending a message to the outside world of total loyalty to the leader. the country's prime minister, pak pong—ju, told the crowd that the opening of the new street sends a more powerful signal to the world than any number of nuclear bombs. but, in reality for north korea, bombs are vital.

conservationists say its a "game changer, as our beijing correspondentjohn sudworth reports. will be the last. the un's top wildlife official is on hand to witness the shutdown. this is a momentous day in china, where we see this decision rolled out in the field. we are here in the marketplace, we have seen a shop closed. this is a momentous decision and is worthy of attention. china's move comes not a moment too soon. the african elephant is teetering on the brink of extinction. is that another one? and the majority of this slaughter, perhaps as much as 70%, is done to feed chinese demand. this business is one of those being forced to close today. the markings and certifications show that the tusks come from authorised stockpiles — ivory that china was allowed to buy under international law in the hope it would suppress demand for smuggling. translation: i feel sad. i love this art and even if you abolish it it will not stop the illegal trade, it is likely to encourage it. but campaigners, including prince william who has personally lobbied china's leaders on the issue, disa

images show an increased level of activity at the test site in the north of the country. 0ur correspondentjohn sudworth. he has sent us this report from the capital pyongyang — his movements have been monitored and tightly controlled. they poured into central pyongyang in their tens of thousands. of citizens and soldiers alike, north korea has always demanded displays of mass devotion. and at the front of the crowd, there was kim jong un. celebrating notjust a missile launch or a rocket test, but the construction of pyongyang's newest street. the inauguration of a few tower blocks and shops would, anywhere else, raise barely a murmur. in pyongyang, it's met with rapturous applause. it might seem like an extraordinary celebration to mark the opening of the street, but it's about so much more than that. it's about economic survival, resilience, and sending a message to the outside world of total loyalty to the leader. the country's prime minister, pak pong—ju, told the crowds that the opening of the new street sends a more powerful signal to the world than any number of nuclear bombs. but in reality for

our correspondentjohn sudworth was invited to witness the event.is movements are being tightly controlled, but earlier he described the scene in pyongyang. it's an extraordinary sight. you can actually feel the ground shake as thousands upon thousands of goose—stepping soldiers, tanks and rockets and other weaponry have marched and rumbled their way through the capital city. this is a display of unity for the young north korean leader and it is meant, of course, to send a key message on the anniversary of his grandfather's birth that his grip on power is unassailable, but as donald trump threatens to thwart his nuclear ambitions, it also sends a message to the outside world that this country's military with its nuclear tests and missile launches is vital for its survival and military analysts will, of course, be pouring over these pictures for evidence of the latest state of technological advancement of these forces. there is that speculation that it maybe preparing for another underground nuclear test. at the moment, we have absolutely no contact

our correspondentjohn sudworth is there, his movements are being tightly controlled but he sent thise missile test is sent and meant as a deterrent, it came just a few hours before the visit to the south korean capital seoul either us vice president mike pence. and it's a day after north korea held a massive military parade, a show of strength typical of this most totalitarian states and at which it am failed what are believed to be its first intercontinental missiles. it's worth noting that in many regards this is business as usual for north korea. it has long used brinkmanship and tension to up the ante and then when the dramatic and economic concessions as it steps back from the brink. but with each cycle, moving one step closer towards its goal of becoming a fully fledged nuclear power. what's new in all of this is not what's happening in this capital but in washington, of course, but it seems north korea's actions suggest is confident that president donald trump will like his predecessors before him, eventually conclude that the cost of military action is simply too great. john

stephen evans, bbc news, seoul. 0ur correspondentjohn sudworth is in the north korean capital pyongyangier gave us his assessment of the situation. his movements are being monitored and tightly controlled. in many ways this is business as usualfor north korea, using brinkmanship and tension to up the ante and then win diplomatic and economic concessions as it steps back from the brink. but with each cycle moving one step closer to its goal of becoming a fully fledged nuclear power. what is new in this is not what is happening in this capital but in washington. but it seems that north korea's actions suggest that it is confident that president donald trump will like his predecessors eventually conclude that the cost of military action is simply too great. earlier, i spoke tojohn hemmings from the centre for strategic and international studies. he began by telling me how the us could respond to north korea's actions. donald trump has tried to make this really about china. the only thing he can do, looking back at the past 15 years of attempted and failed negotiations, is to really push no