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NORTH Korea’s Defense Minister, No Kwang Chol, warned on Saturday that Pyongyang will take “more offensive action” after firing a ballistic missile towards the sea off its east coast, denouncing U.S.-South Korea security talks and the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier in South Korea.
Reuters reported on Saturday that the missile launch on Friday came in response to fresh U.S. sanctions targeting North Korean individuals and entities accused of cyber-related money-laundering schemes.
South Korea’s defence ministry condemned the launch and described the North’s criticism of joint U.S.-South Korea meetings as “regrettable.”
No criticised a recent visit by U.S. and South Korean defence chiefs to the border and their subsequent security talks in Seoul, claiming they were conspiring to bolster deterrence against North Korea and integrate 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,” he said, referring to North Korea by its formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
No also denounced the presence of the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington in Busan following joint air drills, saying it escalated 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,” he told state media KCNA. South Korea’s navy said the carrier visit was for resupply and crew leave.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the missile “does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies” but emphasised that it “highlights the destabilising impact” of North Korea’s actions.
Last week, North Korea also test-fired cruise missiles west of the peninsula during regional meetings attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, who reiterated his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. - November 8, 2025