South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said during a press conference on July 28, reported by The Korea Times, that he will propose adjusting the scale of South Korea-U.S. joint military drills. "The issue will be a key topic of discussion at the working-level National Security Council meeting scheduled for tomorrow [Tuesday]."

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean dicator Kim Jong Un, blasted southern peace overtures as "a few sentimental words."

Experts say the comments suggest that North Korea has no plan to return to diplomacy with South Korea and the U.S.