North Korea Resumes Missile Tests Ahead of Key International Summit

Missile Launches Mark North Korea's Provocative Move

Seoul: In a significant development, North Korea conducted its first ballistic missile tests in five months on Wednesday, just days before a scheduled meeting of US President Donald Trump and other global leaders in South Korea.

The military of South Korea reported that multiple suspected short-range ballistic missiles were launched from a region south of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, these missiles traveled approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles) in a northeastern trajectory, although the exact landing locations were not disclosed.

South Korea's military emphasized its preparedness to counter any provocations from the North, bolstered by a strong military alliance with the United States.

Japan's newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed the press that none of the missiles reached Japan's territorial waters or exclusive economic zone, and there were no reports of damage resulting from the launches. She noted that Tokyo is maintaining close communication with Washington and Seoul, including sharing real-time missile warning data.

Next week, South Korea will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, an annual event aimed at fostering economic integration and trade, which does not include military discussions. Trump is expected to arrive in Gyeongju prior to the summit for bilateral talks with leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. However, South Korean officials have indicated that Trump is unlikely to attend the main APEC conference scheduled for October 30 to November 1.

Experts had previously suggested that North Korea might conduct provocative missile tests before or during the APEC summit to assert its status as a nuclear weapons state. Analysts believe that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un seeks this recognition to advocate for the lifting of UN-imposed economic sanctions related to its weapons program.

The missile launches on Wednesday were the first since North Korea tested short-range systems on May 8, which simulated nuclear counterstrikes against US and South Korean forces. They also marked the first ballistic missile testing activities since Lee took office in June, promising to work towards restoring peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Since the collapse of high-stakes nuclear negotiations with Trump in 2019, Kim has significantly increased the frequency of weapons tests. However, last month, he hinted at a willingness to return to negotiations if the US were to abandon its demands for North Korea's denuclearization, following Trump's expressed hopes for renewed diplomatic efforts.

Earlier this month, Kim showcased a new intercontinental ballistic missile during a military parade attended by top officials from China, Russia, and other nations. This event underscored Kim's growing diplomatic influence and his relentless pursuit of a robust arsenal of nuclear missiles aimed at the US and its allies.

North Korean state media reported that the October 10 parade featured the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, touted as the nation’s 'most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system.' Observers noted that this ICBM is designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads to penetrate US missile defenses, with potential test-launches anticipated in the coming months.