North Korea fired a series of short‑range ballistic missiles on Wednesday, according to the South Korean military. The launch was the first since May and came just a week before the APEC leaders’ summit in Seoul, where U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected several projectiles near Pyongyang heading north‑east at first light. The missiles travelled about 217 miles and fell short of the border, landing well inside Korean territory. The test is a clear violation of the United Nations Security Council’s missile‑testing ban.
The launch is also the first by North Korea since President Lee was elected. Lee has campaigned on a platform of engagement with Pyongyang, and the timing of the test is likely to pressure him to push for the next steps in talks.
Trump’s visit to Seoul could change the dynamics on the Korean Peninsula. Lee and Trump have talked about meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, although no official plan has been announced. U.S. officials quietly considered a trip to the demilitarized zone (DMZ), but no details have emerged. Meanwhile, South Korea has paused tours of the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom and is not yet ready for a Kim‑Sum meeting.
North Korea has been steadily upgrading its missile arsenal over the past decade, testing long‑range rockets that could theoretically reach the United States. The latest short‑range test, however, showcases the regime’s continued defiance of international sanctions and its desire to signal strength.
Japanese officials said the launch poses no threat to Japan, and Tokyo is sharing real‑time information with the U.S. The U.S. remains on high alert, hoping to use the APEC summit to reset U.N. rules and reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
With the APEC gathering starting next week, diplomats worldwide will watch closely to see if the missile test and upcoming leader meetings can shift the long‑standing security stalemate in Northeast Asia.
Source: New York Post
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