Just as Donald Trump began his diplomatic tour of Asia, North Korea launched a new series of sea-to-surface cruise missiles an event that’s now fueling global speculation about the deeper geopolitical message behind the timing.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the test took place in North Korea’s western waters and was described as a major success. Officials claimed that the new missiles will expand the country’s nuclear strike capabilities and “strengthen its nuclear combat posture.”
The South Korean military has not yet confirmed the launches, but the announcement came only hours before Trump’s high-profile summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, where this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings are being held.
KCNA reported that the missiles flew for over two hours before hitting their targets and were designed to carry nuclear warheads. This follows another missile test last week, when North Korea fired two alleged hypersonic missiles from Pyongyang toward a target in the country’s northwest though Seoul identified them as short-range ballistic missiles.
Trump’s Return to Asia and the North Korea Question
Trump, on his first official Asia tour since returning to the White House, has expressed interest in reopening dialogue with Kim Jong Un, saying,
“I’d love to meet with him if he’d like to meet. If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea.”
During his first presidency, Trump met Kim three times, but the talks failed to produce any agreement on rolling back North Korea’s nuclear program or easing international sanctions.
This time, however, Pyongyang has been silent insisting it won’t resume talks with Washington unless it’s recognized as a nuclear power.
Strengthening the Moscow–Pyongyang Axis
In the backdrop of Trump’s visit, North Korea has continued to deepen ties with Russia. Kim Jong Un’s government has reportedly supplied Moscow with weapons and personnel to support its war in Ukraine, while Russia has responded with vital food supplies, oil, weapons technology, and even a mutual defense pact.
North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui was in Moscow this week meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Both sides issued a joint statement reaffirming their “commitment to expanding bilateral relations in multiple fields.”
As Trump attempts to re-engage the region diplomatically, the growing Russia–North Korea partnership is likely to add another layer of complexity to his efforts to reshape US foreign policy in East Asia.
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