North Korea on Saturday threatened to take “more offensive action” in response to what it called provocative military coordination between the United States and South Korea, condemning recent security talks in Seoul and the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the region.
In a statement carried by state media KCNA, North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol accused Washington and Seoul of plotting to strengthen their “hostile policy” against Pyongyang through expanded deterrence measures and closer integration of nuclear and conventional forces.
“This is a stark revelation and an unveiled intentional expression of their hostile nature to stand against the DPRK to the end,” No said, referring to North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The warning came a day after North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast, a move condemned by South Korea’s defence ministry as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The launch followed Pyongyang’s denunciation of new U.S. sanctions announced on Thursday, targeting North Korean individuals and entities accused of cyber-related money-laundering schemes.
No also criticized the recent visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his South Korean counterpart to the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas, as well as their subsequent talks in Seoul, which focused on bolstering joint deterrence against the North.
Hegseth had said earlier this week that the alliance with Seoul would “remain focused on deterring North Korea,” while maintaining flexibility to address broader regional threats.
Tensions escalated further with the arrival of the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington at South Korea’s southeastern port of Busan earlier this week, following joint U.S.-South Korean air drills.
No called the carrier’s presence “a serious military provocation,” vowing that Pyongyang would “show more offensive action against the enemies’ threat on the principle of ensuring security and defending peace by dint of powerful strength.”
South Korea’s navy said the carrier’s visit was routine, meant for resupply and crew leave.
The missile launch is the latest in a string of North Korean weapons tests in recent weeks. Last week, Pyongyang also test-fired cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea as U.S. President Donald Trump and other regional leaders gathered in South Korea for meetings.
While visiting Seoul, Trump reiterated his willingness to hold direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though no meeting occurred. “I’m always open to meeting him again,” Trump said, adding that he would consider returning to the region for such talks.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the latest missile launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or allies but warned that it “highlights the destabilizing impact” of North Korea’s actions on regional security.
Analysts say Pyongyang’s renewed threats mark another cycle of confrontation as it seeks leverage amid tightening U.S. sanctions and growing trilateral coordination between Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
