Overview
- Defense Minister No Kwang-chol, via KCNA, condemned U.S.–South Korea security talks and the carrier visit to Busan, pledging “more offensive action” against perceived threats.
- Pyongyang fired a suspected short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea on Friday, a launch reported by allies after fresh U.S. sanctions on North Korean cyber-linked individuals and entities.
- The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the test did not threaten U.S. personnel, territory, or allies, and it emphasized close consultations and readiness to defend the region.
- South Korea’s defense ministry strongly denounced the launch and urged the North to halt actions that raise tensions, as USFK highlighted combined readiness with Seoul.
- KCNA and allied reports tied the statement and launch to recent Freedom Flag drills, the USS George Washington’s port call, the DMZ visit by defense chiefs, and the Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul.