Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, rejected US calls for diplomacy and condemned the condemnations of North Korea's recent spy satellite launch. She vowed more launches in violation of UN bans and stated that an independent state's sovereignty can never be an agenda item for negotiations. Kim Yo Jong criticized the US ambassador to the UN for branding the satellite launch as illegal and questioned the frequent appearance of US strategic assets at South Korean ports. The launch deepened tensions between North and South Korea, leading to hostile military steps along their fortified border.