Overview
- Defense Minister No Kwang-chol, via KCNA, condemned recent U.S.–ROK security moves and warned that threats to the North will be treated as direct targets.
- The warning followed a suspected short-range ballistic missile launch into the East Sea on Friday, which Japanese assessments said landed outside its exclusive economic zone.
- U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory or allies, calling it destabilizing and affirming readiness to defend.
- South Korea’s defense ministry strongly denounced the launch and urged Pyongyang to halt actions that raise tensions, as U.S. Forces Korea underscored combined readiness and close consultation.
- Pyongyang linked its stance to U.S.–ROK activities including the Security Consultative Meeting, joint air drills, and the USS George Washington’s port call, as well as fresh U.S. sanctions targeting North Korean individuals and entities.