North Korea has fired several short-range ballistic missiles in what appears to be a calculated display of defiance ahead of next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, an event that will bring together US President Donald Trump, China’s Xi Jinping, and other world leaders.
Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected “several projectiles, believed to be short-range ballistic missiles,” launched early Wednesday toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan). The missiles reportedly flew about 350km (217 miles) before landing inland, a detail that surprised analysts who initially believed they had splashed into the sea.
“Our military has stepped up monitoring in preparation for additional launches,” the Joint Chiefs said, adding that South Korea was “maintaining a steadfast readiness posture while sharing information with the US and Japan.”
The launch marks Pyongyang’s first missile test in five months, and the first under South Korea’s new president Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June. It also comes amid mounting speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants to seize global attention just as Seoul hosts the region’s biggest diplomatic gathering.
Earlier this month, Kim showcased the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, his “most powerful yet,” during a military parade in Pyongyang attended by Russian and Chinese delegations, a symbolic show of strength and alignment amid rising global polarization.
North Korea continues to defy international bans on weapons testing, arguing its missile program is vital for “self-defense” against the US and South Korea.
Trump, who met Kim during his first term, recently said he hopes to meet the North Korean leader again, possibly this year. Pyongyang has responded cautiously, saying it is open to talks but will “never agree to give up its nuclear arsenal.”
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