North Korea warns US and South Korea: what sparked Kim Jong Un's rage

The statement came a day after North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan. Pyongyang described the launch as retaliation for new US sanctions against individuals and organizations Washington suspects of involvement in cyber money-laundering schemes.

Seoul condemned the launch. South Korea's Ministry of Defense called Pyongyang's actions a "provocation" and its criticism of US–South Korea talks "pathetic."

At the same time, North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol criticized the visit of the US and South Korean defense ministers to the Demilitarized Zone and their talks in Seoul, accusing the allies of seeking to "strengthen deterrence against the North" and integrate their 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.

Tensions also rose after the arrival of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington in the port of Busan following joint US–South Korean Air Force drills. Pyongyang called such moves a direct threat to its security.

In response, No pledged that North Korea "more offensive action against the enemies' threat."

The US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that the latest missile launch did not pose a threat to the US or its allies but emphasized that it "highlights the destabilizing impact" of Pyongyang's behavior.

Trump–Kim Jong Un meeting

As a reminder, last week US President Donald Trump said he was ready to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but the meeting never took place. Nevertheless, the White House hinted that the possibility of talks remains open.

Kim Jong Un has avoided any form of dialogue with Washington and Seoul since his diplomatic relations with Trump soured during the American leader's first term in 2019.