North Korea Conducts Missile Tests Before US President Trump Visits South Korea

North Korea conducted successful sea-to-surface cruise missile tests in its western waters, with the missiles flying for over two hours and accurately striking targets, as reported by state media and confirmed by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. These tests, overseen by senior military official Pak Jong Chon but notably without Kim Jong Un's presence, are seen as a demonstration of Pyongyang's growing military capabilities and nuclear deterrence amid rising tensions. The missile launches coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, underscoring North Korea's message that denuclearization talks are off the table. South Korea and the United States are analyzing the weapons and maintaining a combined defense readiness to respond to any provocations. While Trump has expressed interest in meeting Kim Jong Un, North Korea has remained noncommittal, and South Korean officials view a summit between the two leaders as unlikely. The missile tests also followed recent short-range ballistic missile launches, signaling North Korea's continued development of advanced military systems.