North Korea carried out a new sea to surface North Korea missile test in the Yellow Sea, state media said Wednesday, just hours before United States President Donald Trump began his visit to South Korea for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
KCNA said cruise missiles launched Tuesday flew for more than two hours and accurately hit targets. Pak Jong Chon, a top military official who oversaw the test, claimed it showed continued progress in developing the country’s nuclear forces. He described the effort as a necessary shield against enemies. “It is our responsible mission and duty to ceaselessly toughen the nuclear combat posture,” Pak said in the report.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military detected preparations for the North Korea missile test before launch. According to the statement, at about 3pm local time Tuesday the missiles were fired from the northwest coast. Officials in Seoul said the weapons are still being examined by both countries and that combined defense readiness remains strong enough to deliver a dominant response to any attack.
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The launch came after North Korea tested short range ballistic missiles last week. That test involved what the country called a newly developed hypersonic system aimed at strengthening its nuclear deterrent.
The timing underscores the fragile security environment in the region as Trump prepares for a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju. Trump is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC gathering.
The US president has said he would like to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while in Seoul. South Korean officials, however, have cautioned that a meeting is unlikely.
Kim recently said he still holds personal “fond memories” of Trump, according to state media, but added that there would be no talks unless Washington moves away from insisting that Pyongyang abandon its nuclear program.
North Korea has avoided diplomacy with the United States and South Korea since denuclearization negotiations between Kim and Trump collapsed in 2019.
Before traveling to South Korea, Trump met families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents decades ago. He assured them the United States supports efforts to locate their loved ones.
North Korea admitted in 2002 that it kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens in the late twentieth century to provide language and cultural training for spies. Japan says 17 people were taken. Five have returned home. North Korea has said eight died and denied having knowledge of the others.
The growing pace of weapons tests continues to challenge efforts to reestablish dialogue. Both allies say they remain prepared for any future launch.