Koreas’ improved relations take a hit with office closing

North Korea on Friday withdrew its staff from the joint liaison office it has operated with South Korea since September, signaling a hardening of its position toward the South weeks after the failed summit between the North’s leader, Kim Jong Un, and President Donald Trump.

North Korean staff members at the office in Kaesong, a North Korean town just north of the two countries’ border, packed up and left Friday, saying they had been ordered to do so, the South’s Ministry of National Unification said. They did not ask their South Korean counterparts to leave, the ministry said.

It was the North’s latest show of discontent since the talks in Hanoi, Vietnam, between Kim and Trump over the North’s nuclear-arms program ended without a deal. The North also has expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea, which has tried to act as a mediator in the talks.

The opening of the liaison office in September was seen as a significant moment for the Koreas because it established their first channel for full-time, person-to-person contact since an armistice halted the Korean War. Rose was riding in an unlicensed taxi that had been involved in a drive-by shooting when Rosfeld pulled it over. He shot the 17-year-old in the back, arm and side of the face as he ran away.

Rosfeld said he thought Rose or another suspect had a gun.

The jury reached a verdict after fewer than four hours of deliberation. but it also is investigating whether he had other motives.

Tanis confessed in a closed court hearing Friday, the office said — his first appearance in court since he was arrested hours after the shooting.