Seoul Bolsters Nuclear/Missile Response After North Rejects Offer

Wires carrying comments from the office of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, stating that Yoon has ordered an update of operational plans against North Korea's 'growing nuclear and missile threats'. Unclear what the details of this update will entail, but could be a signal of an end of Yoon's nascent efforts to enhance dialogue w/North.

• The announcement comes a short time after the North publicly rebuked the Yoon administration for its offer of economic aid in exchange for Pyongyang's denuclearisation.
• State-run KCNA ran a statement from Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong saying that, “It would have been more favourable for his image to shut his mouth," and calling Yoon, "really simple and still childish” by delivering, "pipedream-like remarks."
• Following the rejection, Seoul has engaged in its yearly joint military drills with US forces, named Ulchi Freedom Shield. The exercises are due to conclude 1 September, and in the interim there is seen as a notable possibility that the North carries out a nuclear test or missile launch, with two fired by the North last week as the South and US engaged in preliminary training.