North Korea Vows 'More Aggressive Action' Amid US-South Korea Tensions

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North Korea's Defence Minister No Kwang Chol has warned of 'more aggressive action' in response to US-South Korea security talks and the deployment of a US aircraft carrier to the region. Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent days, with North Korea firing a ballistic missile into the sea and the US imposing fresh sanctions on North Korean individuals and entities accused of cyber-related money laundering. The US Indo-Pacific Command has stated that the missile launch 'highlights the destabilising impact' of North Korea's actions, while the South Korean navy said the visit of the US aircraft carrier was to replenish supplies and grant leave to the crew. In a statement, Defence Minister No condemned the US-South Korea defence chiefs' visit to the border between North and South Korea, as well as their subsequent security talks in Seoul. He accused them of conspiring to increase deterrence efforts towards North Korea and integrate their nuclear and conventional forces. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu-back visited the Demilitarised Zone along the border with North Korea and held a security consultative meeting in Seoul. Hegseth stated that the core of the US-South Korea alliance will remain focused on deterring North Korea, while also exploring flexibility for US troops stationed in South Korea to operate against regional threats. The recent developments have raised concerns about the escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula, with North Korea's Defence Minister warning of 'more aggressive action' in response to what he sees as a growing threat from the US and South Korea.