North Korea announced on Wednesday that its recent test-firings of sea-to-surface cruise missiles were successful, marking another demonstration of its growing military capabilities. The tests coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to South Korea.
According to North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missiles launched on Tuesday flew for more than two hours before accurately striking targets in the country’s western waters. KCNA stated that these weapons would help expand the operational range of North Korea’s nuclear-armed military.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed they detected the launch preparations and that the cruise missiles were fired from North Korea’s northwestern waters around 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The joint chiefs added that South Korea and the United States are currently analyzing the weapons while maintaining a combined defense readiness, prepared to deliver a “dominant response” to any North Korean provocations.
The announcement from KCNA came just hours before an anticipated summit between President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju. South Korea is hosting this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in the city.
KCNA also reported that senior military official Pak Jong Chon attended the tests and inspected training exercises for sailors aboard North Korea’s newly developed destroyers, Choe Hyon and Kang Kon. Leader Kim Jong Un has described these vessels as crucial assets in strengthening the country’s navy.
These missile launches follow recent short-range ballistic missile tests last week, which North Korea said involved a new hypersonic system designed to enhance its nuclear deterrent capabilities.
During his stay in South Korea, President Trump has expressed interest in meeting with Kim Jong Un and is also scheduled to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, South Korean officials have indicated that a meeting between Trump and Kim is unlikely.
Since the breakdown of high-stakes nuclear diplomacy between Kim and Trump in 2019, North Korea has shunned talks with Washington and Seoul. Kim’s current foreign policy focus appears to be on Russia. In recent months, North Korea has sent thousands of troops and substantial military equipment to support President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. The regime has embraced rhetoric about a “new Cold War,” positioning itself as part of a united front against the U.S.-led West.
Last month, Kim reiterated that he would not return to talks with the United States unless Washington drops its denuclearization demands. This statement comes despite Trump’s repeated expressions of hope for renewed diplomacy.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/28/world-news/north-korea-boasts-missile-test-firings-as-trump-makes-south-korea-visit/
