North Korea tests new strategic cruise missile ahead of Donald Trump’s South Korea visit
North Korea conducted a missile test on October 28 (Photo: Getty Images)
North Korea tested a new cruise missile ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to South Korea for the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit, reports North Korea’s state news agency KCNA.
The sea-to-surface cruise missile test took place in the Yellow Sea on Tuesday, October 28.
The missile, specially modified for ship-based launches, was fired vertically and flew for over 7,800 seconds (approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes) along a designated course, hitting its intended target. Other details, including the missile’s name, exact range, and launch site, were not disclosed in the report.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who usually oversees such tests, was not present this time. The test was observed by his deputy on the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party, Pak Jong Chon, who highlighted the country’s significant achievements in developing its nuclear capabilities.
According to the official, regular missile tests serve as military deterrence, a check on the reliability of strategic offensive systems, and a demonstration of their capabilities to potential adversaries. North Korea considers it its duty to continuously build up its nuclear weapons potential.
This missile test took place after Trump confirmed his intention to meet Kim Jong Un during his Asia tour.
North Korea accelerates missile development
Shortly before the October 28 test, Pyongyang conducted another missile test on October 22, launching two new hypersonic warheads.
South Korean intelligence and Western agencies report that North Korea’s missile and weapons development programs have significantly accelerated following closer military cooperation with Russia.
This includes, in particular, the deployment of Russian troops and weapons by Pyongyang to support the war in Ukraine in exchange for Moscow’s assistance in weapons development.
Triangle of relations between nuclear powers
Recently, Russian leader Vladimir Putin asked North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui to inform Kim Jong Un that bilateral relations are proceeding according to plan.
Meanwhile, Trump announced a possible meeting with Kim Jong Un during his Asia tour, which would be the first such meeting during his second term since 2019.
Previous Trump-Kim meetings aimed to secure North Korea’s denuclearization in exchange for sanctions relief. However, those efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula failed.
Kim Jong Un, for his part, indicated that he would not oppose a meeting with Trump, provided the US stops demanding that Pyongyang relinquish its nuclear capabilities.
