Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary Of Defense, Expresses ‘Skepticism’ Of North Korea Nuclear Talks

SEOUL, South Korea — The U.S. and South Korean defense chiefs declared Friday that any North Korean aggression “is not to be tolerated,” following two deadly incidents last year, and pledged to jointly develop more effective means of responding to future provocations by the North.

S. Korea Launches Third Aegis-equipped Destroyer

South Korea launched its third Aegis-equipped destroyer Thursday, which will become the centerpiece of its strategic mobile fleet aimed at enhancing capabilities to deter North Korean aggression and conduct broader-range operations.

The 7,600-ton KDX-III destroyer, the Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, was unveiled to the media during the launch ceremony at a shipyard of its builder, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. in the southeastern coastal city of Ulsan.