North Korean newspaper saves a special place for report of Trump's inauguration

Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, on Sunday reported on Donald Trump officially becoming the president of the United States .

A short article appeared at the bottom of the last page of the daily, simply stating that the businessman-turned-Republican politician was sworn in on Friday and that “the inauguration was held in Washington D.C.” It included no assessment or commentary.

Since Trump’s election victory in November, North Korea has refrained from conducting military provocations, apparently in anticipation of the new administration’s policy toward Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, Japan, the United States and South Korea remain on alert following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s recent announcement that his country has entered the final stage of preparing to test-launch a long-range missile.

Pyongyang’s missile programme and its pursuit of nuclear arms have seen it repeatedly sanctioned by the UN Security Council.