The official Democratic Korean news reported that “Kwang Chol noted that the joint air maneuvers between the United States and South Korea (Freedom Shield), and the appearance of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier task group ‘George Washington’, increase political and military tension on the Korean Peninsula.” He added that “the visit of senior American and South Korean military officials to areas near the border with South Korea, and their meetings to enhance deterrence and integration of nuclear with conventional forces, reflect a hostile nature towards his country.” The minister warned that “any threats exceeding the boundaries of Democratic Korean security will become direct targets and his country will deal with them in the necessary manner,” affirming Pyongyang’s readiness to respond to all threats and take offensive measures to ensure security and defend peace.
During his visit to South Korea last week, Trump reiterated his readiness to sit with Democratic Korean leader Kim Jong Un, sparking expectations that they might reach a last-minute agreement to meet. No meeting was held, but Trump said he was ready to return to the region. Trump had met Kim at the Panmunjom village on the military border between the two Koreas in 2019 during his first term as the American president when he was visiting the region.
The People’s Democratic Republic of Korea’s Foreign Ministry said earlier that the Trump administration “provokes its displeasure” by imposing sanctions on officials and institutions in the country due to allegations of money laundering.
