North Korea has test-fired several sea-to-surface cruise missiles into its western waters, just hours before U.S. President Donald Trump began his visit to South Korea.
The missiles were launched on Tuesday in the Yellow Sea and flew for more than two hours before accurately hitting their targets, according to official reports.
Top military official Pak Jong Chon supervised the test. He said the launch showed “important successes” in strengthening North Korea’s nuclear forces as a defense against war threats.
Pak added that it was the country’s “duty to keep improving its nuclear combat strength.”
South Korea’s military said it detected the launch preparations and confirmed that the missiles were fired around 3 p.m. on Tuesday. South Korea and the United States are now studying the missiles and maintaining a strong joint defense readiness.
This latest missile test came just days after North Korea tested short-range ballistic missiles, which it said were part of a new hypersonic system designed to enhance its nuclear deterrent.
The launches took place shortly before a planned meeting between President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the city of Gyeongju, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings are being held.
Trump is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit. However, South Korean officials said a meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is unlikely.
Kim Jong Un has said he remembers Trump fondly but will only consider talks if the United States stops demanding that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons program.
North Korea has refused to hold any talks with Washington or Seoul since the 2019 collapse of Trump and Kim’s nuclear negotiations.
Before arriving in South Korea, Trump visited Japan, where he met families of people abducted by North Korea decades ago. He assured them that the United States would continue to support their search for missing loved ones.
North Korea admitted in 2002 that it had kidnapped Japanese citizens to train its spies. Japan believes 17 people were abducted, though only five were ever returned home.
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