North Korea has test-launched sea-to-surface cruise missiles off its western coast, state media reported on Wednesday, a day before US President Donald
Trump begins a visit to South Korea. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missiles were fired vertically from the Yellow Sea and flew for more than two hours. Senior military official Pak Jong Chon oversaw the launch, saying that "important successes" were being achieved in developing the North's "nuclear forces" as a war deterrent. Leader Kim Jong Un did not attend the test, KCNA said. His absence follows a similar omission in last week's report on the test-firing of several hypersonic missiles. The latest launch comes as President Trump continues his tour of Asia, during which he has repeatedly expressed his willingness to meet Kim. The two leaders last met in 2019 at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. Also Read: North Korea's Missile Test Ahead of APEC and Trump's Asia Visit - Experts Warn of Strategic Messaging "I just had a good relationship with him," Trump told reporters on Monday. "I would love to see him, if he wants to, if he even gets this message. We haven't mentioned anything, but he knows I'm going over there. If he'd like to meet, I'd love to meet him." When asked what leverage he might use to bring Kim back to negotiations, Trump pointed to sanctions. "That's pretty big to start off with," he said. "I would say that's about as big as you get." Officials in Seoul have voiced support for Trump's outreach, though both US and South Korean officials have said there are no concrete preparations for a meeting. North Korea has not responded publicly to Trump's invitation.
