North Korea Warns Seoul Could Face Collective Retaliation

North Korea warned that South Korea would become a “decisive target” for collective retaliation if it serves as a central hub in a U.S.-led collective-defense system. In a state media commentary, official Kang Chol-su accused Washington of using South Korea as a base for pursuing global influence and deploying it in overseas conflicts, citing remarks by the U.S. Forces Korea commander and criticizing joint military exercises and U.S. deployments. Pyongyang said it had prepared countermeasures and would respond forcefully to threats to its security. The United States maintains about 28,500 troops in South Korea to help deter North Korean aggression.