U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for the final stage of his Asia tour, just as North Korea carried out another round of missile tests that heightened regional tensions.
North Korea launched several sea-to-surface cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea on Tuesday, according to state media outlet KCNA. The missiles reportedly flew for over two hours and hit their designated targets. Senior North Korean military official Pak Jong Chon oversaw the test and said the launch was part of efforts to strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrence. He emphasized that North Korea would continue to improve its nuclear combat readiness, calling it a “mission and duty.”
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch and said that the South Korean and U.S. militaries monitored the activity closely. Both sides stated they are maintaining a high level of readiness in case North Korea carries out further missile or nuclear tests.
The recent launch follows another test of short-range ballistic missiles equipped with a new hypersonic system, which Pyongyang has described as part of ongoing upgrades to its strategic weapons program.
Meanwhile, President Trump arrived from Japan and is set to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings. The two leaders are expected to discuss trade cooperation, regional security, and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Trump said he is hopeful about progress in trade discussions with China during the wider summit.
Despite speculation, South Korean officials say the chances of a meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during this visit are low. Kim has stated that talks can only resume if the United States changes its stance on North Korea’s nuclear weapons. Since the breakdown of negotiations in 2019, Pyongyang has refused dialogue with both Washington and Seoul, focusing instead on expanding its military capabilities.
