Bangkok: U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has extended a long-running executive order declaring a national emergency over an "unusual" and "extraordinary" threat posed by North Korea, a White House notice showed Friday. The White House posted the notice on the Federal Register earlier this week, extending the declaration for another year beyond Friday, when it otherwise would have expired. It marks the Trump administration's second extension of the national emergency declaration on the North. The emergency has been in place since 2008.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the notice outlined concerns over the proliferation of weapons-usable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula and the actions and policies of the North Korean government. These factors continue to pose a threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. The extension comes amid North Korea's increased focus on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, alongside its growing cooperation with Russia and China.

The ongoing military threats from North Korea have heightened security concerns in South Korea and beyond. The lack of dialogue between the Koreas, as well as between the North and the U.S., further exacerbates these concerns.