North Korea Threatens to Strike US Aircraft Carrier in South Korea

North Korea has deemed the arrival of a US aircraft carrier in South Korea as a provocation that could lead to "irretrievable, catastrophic consequences." The nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group arrived at the South Korean port of Busan on Thursday for a five-day visit following allied military exercises in nearby waters.

According to North Korea's state media outlet KCNA, the aircraft carrier's arrival indicates that the "US plan for a nuclear attack on North Korea has reached its most serious phase," suggesting that "the outbreak of nuclear war is being pushed to the forefront." KCNA described it as a clear military provocation, which brings the situation to potentially catastrophic circumstances.

KCNA further stated that in the event of an imminent nuclear attack, North Korea would take "necessary actions" as outlined in its nuclear doctrine to "fundamentally deter and repel the reckless attempts of the US and its allies to incite nuclear war."