North Korea Ignores Trump's Proposal, Fires Missiles and Warns of "Ultra-Strong Response to US-ROK Military Alliance"

Statement Issued by Director of External Information Department
"United States Rejects Our Sovereignty... Strongest Response Is the Best Option"
Strategic Cruise Missile Test Conducted on the 25th

On the 26th, North Korea stated, "As long as the United States rejects our sovereignty and security interests, we must respond with an uncompromisingly strong stance against the US, and this is the best choice in dealing with America."

The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued by the Director of the External Information Department on the same day, condemned the South Korea-US Air Force Ssangmae training conducted from the 21st to the 24th, saying, "We will not tolerate the imbalance of power forced by the military collusion between South Korea and the US, and by responding with ultra-strong measures, we will protect the sovereign rights and security interests of our nation and thoroughly guarantee peace and stability in the region."

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, reiterated his determination to secure the strongest defense capability for security, expressing confidence in hostile policies toward North Korea through negotiations with the United States during his speech at the armed equipment exhibition "Defense Development - 2024," which opened on November 21 last year, according to Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap News Agency

In addition to the Ssangmae training, North Korea also mentioned the joint firepower exercise conducted by South Korea and the US from the 14th to the 16th, stating, "We are strictly monitoring the military provocations by South Korea and the US that escalate tensions in the Korean Peninsula region, and we solemnly warn that such actions will be met with reflexive responses."

It continued, "The root cause of the increasingly precarious security environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the region lies in the US, which pursues military superiority through the continuous expansion of military alliances and the enforcement of various joint military exercises."

North Korea has previously reacted sensitively to South Korea-US joint exercises, calling them a cause of instability on the Korean Peninsula. However, this direct criticism of the US is notable as it comes amid a situation where US President Donald Trump has sent conciliatory messages toward North Korea since his inauguration.

North Korea threatened, "South Korea and the US will never escape responsibility for the deterioration of regional security caused by the increased visibility of their military collusion and provocative acts."

However, the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not directly mention the Trump administration in the statement on this day.

Meanwhile, on the 26th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that on the 25th, North Korea conducted a test launch of a sea-based ground strategic cruise missile under the observation of State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un. This was the first weapons system test since US President Donald Trump took office on the 20th (local time), and Chairman Kim is expected to continue the confrontation phase by not responding to President Trump's proposal for dialogue and instead engaging in military provocations.

The news agency stated, "The launched strategic cruise missiles flew for 7,507 to 7,511 seconds over a distance of 1,500 km, following elliptical and figure-eight trajectories, successfully hitting their targets," adding, "They did not cause any negative impact on the safety of neighboring countries."