Pyongyang: North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol on Saturday threatened additional offensive actions, denouncing recent US-South Korea security talks and the arrival of the USS George Washington in Busan. He accused both nations of conspiring to escalate deterrence against Pyongyang and integrate their nuclear and conventional forces, calling the moves a blatant expression of hostility.
According to Qatar News Agency, No Kwang-chol regarded the actions of the US and South Korea as “an unveiled intentional expression of their hostile nature” to stand against North Korea “to the end.” The Defense Minister asserted, “We are ready to respond to everything,” and emphasized, “We will show more offensive action against the enemies’ threat.”
North Korea routinely condemns joint military drills as invasion rehearsals, while Washington and Seoul insist they are defensive.