North Korea Fires Cruise Missiles Hours Before Trump Arrives In Seoul
 

 

North Korea launched sea-to-surface cruise missiles into its western waters just hours before U.S. President Donald Trump landed in South Korea, in a move widely seen as a calculated show of force during his Asia-Pacific diplomatic tour.

 

State media outlet KCNA said Tuesday’s test demonstrated the regime’s “expanded operational scope” and confirmed the new missiles were capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The weapons reportedly flew for more than two hours before striking their target.

 

“It is our responsible mission and duty to ceaselessly toughen the nuclear combat posture,” said Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of North Korea’s Central Military Commission. South Korea’s military has not yet confirmed whether it detected the launches.

 

The timing of the test—hours before Trump’s summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju—appears designed to seize global attention and underline Pyongyang’s growing alignment with Moscow. Kim Jong Un’s foreign minister, Choe Son-hui, was in Moscow this week meeting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to “accelerate multifaceted bilateral relations,” according to a joint statement.

 

Trump, now on his first Asia tour since returning to the White House, has expressed openness to another meeting with Kim despite the latest provocation. “I’d love to meet with him if he’d like to meet,” Trump said Monday. “If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea.”

 

But Pyongyang has dismissed any new talks unless Washington formally recognizes it as a nuclear power—a condition U.S. officials continue to reject.

The launch follows a hypersonic missile test last week from Pyongyang, marking a rapid escalation in North Korea’s weapons activity as it deepens defense and energy ties with Russia.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Timed Message: North Korea fired nuclear-capable cruise missiles hours before Trump’s arrival in Seoul.

• Nuclear Posture: KCNA says the test expands the “operational scope” of Pyongyang’s arsenal.

• Moscow Link: Kim strengthens military and diplomatic ties with Russia ahead of Trump’s summit.

 

Source: EXPRESS US

 

 

Nothing more than a show of desperation for attention by chairman Kim.

No no! We've been told they are all afraid of Trump! 😆

A pre-mature launch?