North Korea launched a series of sea-to-surface cruise missiles into its western waters on Tuesday, state media said, in a show of force coinciding with US President Donald Trumps trip to South Korea for a regional summit. The tests come as Pyongyang deepens military ties with Russia and continues to reject nuclear talks with Washington.
North Koreasaid Wednesday it fired sea-to-surface cruise missiles into its western waters, in another display of its growing military capabilities as US PresidentDonald Trumptravels toSouth Koreafor a regional summit.
North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency described Tuesdays tests as a success, saying the missiles flew for more than two hours before accurately striking targets. The agency claimed that the weapons would contribute to expanding the operational sphere of the countrys nuclear-armed military.
South Koreas military didnt immediately confirm whether it had detected the tests.
The North Korean report came hours before an expected summit between Trump and South Korean PresidentLee Jae Myungin the city of Gyeongju, where South Korea is hosting this years Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.
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KCNA said the tests were attended by senior military official Pak Jong Chon, who also inspected training for sailors aboard North Koreas newly developed destroyersChoe HyonandKang Kon, which leaderKim Jong Unhas described as key assets in his efforts to strengthen the navy.
North Koreas latest launches followed short-range ballistic missile tests last week that it said involved a new hypersonic system designed to strengthen its nuclear war deterrent.
Trump has expressed interest in meeting with Kim during his stay in South Korea, where he is also scheduled to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, South Korean officials have said a TrumpKim meeting is unlikely.
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North Korea has shunned any form of talks with Washington and Seoul since Kims high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with Trump fell apart in 2019 during the American presidents first term.
Kims top foreign policy priority is now Russia. In recent months, he has sent thousands of troops and large quantities of military equipment to help fuel President Vladimir Putins war inUkraine, while embracing the idea of a new Cold War and positioning his country as part of a united front against the US-led West.
Last month, Kim reiterated he wouldnt return to talks with the United States unless Washington drops its demand for North Koreasdenuclearisation, after Trump repeatedly expressed his hopes for new diplomacy.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
Originally published on France24
