China and Russia, which prioritize stability in the Korean Peninsula, showed concern over the tough U.S. stance, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying the issue should be resolved peacefully through political and diplomatic efforts.

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The dispatch of the intelligence-gathering vessels appears to be partly aimed at sending a warning signal to the United States. Following the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s founding father, on April 15, North Korea will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its military on April 25.

It maintains the stance that it intends to conduct its first nuclear test since September last year, which would be its sixth test, …