North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, issued a strong warning on Tuesday, threatening increased military provocations in response to the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier in South Korea. She criticized the U.S. and its allies, calling their actions "confrontation hysteria," and suggested that North Korea would step up its weapons testing and maintain its aggressive stance.

In a statement published by North Korean state media, Kim Yo Jong accused the U.S. of displaying outright hostility by deploying the USS Carl Vinson and other military assets, along with conducting joint military exercises with South Korea. She warned that North Korea is considering strategic measures to counter these deployments, which Pyongyang views as a growing security threat.

Analysts believe this could mean further missile tests, possibly aimed at the U.S. mainland or American bases in the region. South Korea’s Defense Ministry responded, dismissing Kim’s remarks as an attempt to justify North Korea’s nuclear program. The ministry reaffirmed its strong alliance with the U.S., stating that it is fully prepared to respond to any provocations.

The USS Carl Vinson’s arrival in South Korea on Sunday was part of an effort to strengthen military coordination between the U.S. and South Korea, especially in light of recent North Korean missile tests, including cruise missiles launched just days before the carrier’s arrival. North Korea has historically responded to such military movements with its own displays of force.

Despite Trump’s repeated efforts to engage with North Korea diplomatically, Pyongyang has not directly responded. Since Trump began his second term in January, North Korea has intensified its alignment with Russia, providing weapons and troops to support its war in Ukraine. Experts suggest that Kim Jong Un is unlikely to reopen negotiations with Trump unless his country’s relationship with Russia weakens, forcing him to seek alternative diplomatic options. Trump and Kim previously held three meetings between 2018 and 2019 to discuss North Korea’s nuclear program, but talks eventually fell apart due to disagreements over U.S. sanctions on North Korea.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from AFP via Getty.