North Korea launched more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area towards the East Sea on Thursday, just hours after US President Donald Trump announced plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year. South Korea's military confirmed the launches occurred around 5:00 pm local time, with the missiles travelling approximately 300 kilometres before landing in the sea.
Trump announces fresh Kim meeting
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump told reporters he intends to meet Kim before the end of the year as he seeks to revive the relationship both leaders built during his first term. The US president said it was important to "get along" with Kim, adding that North Korea now possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons. South Korean estimates, however, put the country's stockpile at between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, according to the article.
South Korea condemns missile launch
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's office held an emergency security meeting after the missile launches, ordering the military to remain on heightened alert. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles were launched toward the East Sea. Military officials from both South Korea and the United States are analysing the missiles to determine their exact specifications. The presidential office described the missile tests as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Military drills still a sore point
The missile launches occurred while South Korea and the United States are conducting the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises. Although the drills were shortened this year after Trump reportedly requested they be scaled back, North Korea has consistently criticised the exercises, describing them as rehearsals for an invasion. The Pentagon insisted the shorter exercise would cause "no degradation to US training objectives," as the drills are designed to prepare allied forces in case of an attack from North Korea.
Kim's sister says relationship with Trump remains 'excellent'
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, spoke positively about Trump just a day before the missile launch. She said her brother still has "good memories and feelings" about the US president and that the relationship between both leaders remains "excellent." However, she also noted that she was unaware of any ongoing communication between Trump and Kim.
Trump's renewed interest in direct talks with Kim has unsettled several US allies in Asia, especially after Washington reduced the scale of joint military drills with South Korea. Analysts believe the US president may be hoping to score another diplomatic breakthrough as progress on other foreign policy fronts has slowed. South Korea has maintained that it does not support officially recognising North Korea as a nuclear-weapon state. South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back said he does not believe Washington has abandoned the goal of denuclearising North Korea. President Lee Jae Myung also pledged to support Trump's efforts to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula while continuing to strengthen South Korea's own defence capabilities.
