North Korea condemns US-South Korea security talks, threatens to take ‘more offensive action’
North Korea’s Defense Minister No Kwang-chol greets Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister Viktor Goremykin, in Pyongyang, North Korea. via REUTERS
SEOUL, Nov 8 – North Korea’s defense minister, No Kwang Chol, warned Saturday that Pyongyang could take “more offensive action” in response to U.S.-South Korea security cooperation and the recent arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier in South Korea.
The threat follows North Korea’s ballistic missile launch toward the sea off its east coast on Friday. The launch came after the regime condemned new U.S. sanctions targeting North Korean individuals and entities allegedly involved in cyber-related money laundering.
South Korea’s defense ministry denounced the missile launch and expressed regret over North Korea’s criticism of recent U.S.-South Korea defense talks. No singled out a recent visit by U.S. and South Korean defense chiefs to the inter-Korean border and subsequent security discussions in Seoul, accusing the allies of plotting to strengthen deterrence against North Korea and integrate their 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, using North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the U.S.-South Korea alliance will remain focused on deterring North Korea, while maintaining flexibility for U.S. troops in South Korea to address broader regional threats.
No also criticized the recent visit of the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington to Busan, South Korea, following joint air drills. He claimed the deployment heightened tensions on the peninsula.
“We will show more offensive action against the enemies’ threat on the principle of ensuring security and defending peace by dint of powerful strength,” No said, according to North Korea’s state media KCNA. South Korea’s navy said the carrier visit was routine, intended to resupply and provide crew leave.
During a visit to South Korea last week, President Donald Trump reiterated his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, although no meeting occurred. North Korea also test-fired cruise missiles west of the peninsula as regional leaders gathered in Seoul for meetings.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Saturday that the latest missile launch “does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies,” but emphasized that it “highlights the destabilizing impact” of North Korea’s actions.
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