North Korea's Missile Test on the Eve of Trump's Visit to South Korea
North Korea tested a land-sea type cruise missile off its western coast yesterday, Tuesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency, on the eve of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea.
The agency clarified that the missile was launched vertically and flew for more than two hours, noting that Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Pak Jong Chon oversaw the test, not North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom Trump expressed a desire to meet during his Asian tour.
The official media in Pyongyang described the test as successful, claiming that the missiles will contribute to expanding the operational scope of the North Korean nuclear army.
This test comes just hours before the anticipated summit between Trump and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in the city of Gyeongju, which is hosting this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.
During his Asian tour, Trump announced that he is very eager to meet the North Korean leader, confirming during his stop in Japan that he might extend his trip in Asia if North Korea is interested in the meeting, and that he expects this meeting to happen in the near future.
