North Korea touts missile exams as Trump visits South Korea : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5000x3333+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2f%2F22%2F547355c948dea28e8dbbf85daac5%2Fap25301821881000.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5000x3333+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2f%2F22%2F547355c948dea28e8dbbf85daac5%2Fap25301821881000.jpg" class="img" alt="This photo provided by North Korean government shows what it says a test of a sea-to-surface cruise missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. " fetchpriority="high"/> This picture offered by North Korean authorities exhibits what it says a take a look at of a sea-to-surface cruise missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Unbiased journalists weren't given entry to cowl the occasion depicted on this picture distributed by the North Korean authorities. The content material of this picture is as offered and can't be independently verified. Korean language watermark on picture as offered by supply reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central Information Company. KCNA by way of KNS/AP conceal caption

toggle caption

KCNA by way of KNS/AP SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea mentioned Wednesday its latest test-firings of sea-to-surface cruise missiles have been profitable, in one other show of its rising navy capabilities as U.S. President Donald Trump visits South Korea.

North Korea's official Korean Central Information Company mentioned the missiles fired Tuesday flew for greater than two hours earlier than precisely placing targets in its western waters. It mentioned the weapons would contribute to increasing the operational sphere of the nation's nuclear-armed navy.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Employees mentioned the navy had detected the North Korean launch preparations and that the cruise missiles have been fired within the North's northwestern waters at round 3 p.m. Tuesday. The joint chiefs mentioned South Korea and the US have been analyzing the weapons and sustaining a mixed protection readiness able to a "dominant response" in opposition to any North Korean provocation.

The North Korean report got here hours earlier than an anticipated summit between Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung within the metropolis of Gyeongju, the place South Korea is internet hosting this 12 months's Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation conferences.

Talking with reporters aboard Air Drive One en route from Japan to South Korea, Trump downplayed the North Korean launches.

"He is been launching missiles for many years, proper?" he mentioned, apparently referring to Kim Jong Un. Trump reiterated he nonetheless desires to satisfy with Kim, whom he met thrice in 2018 and 2019 earlier than their diplomacy derailed over disagreements on U.S.-led sanctions in opposition to the North.

"We had a very good understanding of one another," Trump mentioned.

KCNA mentioned the exams have been attended by senior navy official Pak Jong Chon, who additionally inspected coaching for sailors aboard North Korea's newly developed destroyers Choe Hyon and Kang Kon, which chief Kim Jong Un has described as key property in his efforts to strengthen the navy.

North Korea's newest launches adopted short-range ballistic missile exams final week that it mentioned concerned a brand new hypersonic system designed to strengthen its nuclear struggle deterrent.

Throughout his South Korean go to, Trump is scheduled to satisfy with Chinese language President Xi Jinping. Nonetheless, South Korean officers have mentioned a Trump–Kim assembly is unlikely.

North Korea has shunned any type of talks with Washington and Seoul since Kim's high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with Trump fell aside in 2019 through the American president's first time period.

Kim's high overseas coverage precedence is now Russia. In latest months, he has despatched hundreds of troops and enormous portions of navy gear to assist gasoline President Vladimir Putin's struggle in Ukraine, whereas embracing the thought of a "new Chilly Conflict" and positions his nation as a part of a united entrance in opposition to the U.S.-led West.

Final month, Kim reiterated he would not return to talks with the US except Washington drops its demand for North Korea's denuclearization, after Trump repeatedly expressed his hopes for brand new diplomacy.