North Korea test-fires cruise missiles days after Trump wished to meet Kim Jong-un

North Korea announced on Wednesday that its latest test firings of sea-to-surface cruise missiles were successful, marking another demonstration of its advancing military capabilities during US President Donald Trump’s visit to South Korea. This comes days after Trump expressed interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his ongoing Asia visit, saying he might extend his stay if Kim agrees. If it takes place, it would mark their fourth face-to-face meeting.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missiles launched on Tuesday flew for over two hours before precisely hitting targets in the country’s western waters. KCNA stated that the new weapons would expand the operational scope of North Korea’s nuclear-armed forces.

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South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed detecting the launch preparations and said the missiles were fired around 3 p.m. in the North’s northwestern waters. They added that both South Korea and the United States were analysing the weapons while maintaining a joint defence readiness capable of a “dominant response” to any provocation from Pyongyang.

KCNA reported that senior military official Pak Jong Chon attended the tests and later inspected naval training aboard newly developed destroyers Choe Hyon and Kang Kon, which Kim Jong Un has described as essential to strengthening North Korea’s naval power. The launches followed last week’s short-range ballistic missile tests, which the North claimed involved a new hypersonic system to enhance its nuclear deterrence.

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Diplomatic deadlock as Kim shifts focus towards Russia

Speaking during his visit, Trump remarked on Kim Jong Un’s continued missile activities, saying, “He’s been launching missiles for decades, right?” while reiterating his willingness to meet the North Korean leader again. Trump and Kim previously held three meetings between 2018 and 2019, but their talks collapsed over disagreements on US-led sanctions.

Trump said he and Kim had shared a “really good understanding” during their earlier diplomacy. Despite this, South Korean officials have dismissed the likelihood of another Trump–Kim meeting during his current trip, which also includes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Since the breakdown of nuclear negotiations in 2019, North Korea has avoided dialogue with both Washington and Seoul. Kim has instead strengthened ties with Russia, sending troops and military equipment to support President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, while aligning his country with what he calls a “new Cold War” against the US-led West.

Last month, Kim declared he would not resume talks with the United States unless Washington abandoned its demand for denuclearisation, even as Trump renewed his call for diplomatic engagement.