North Korea launches ballistic missiles as Trump prepares for his East Asia trip.

North Korea – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday, South Korea’s military reported, just a week before the Asia-Pacific leaders’ meeting in South Korea. This marks Pyongyang’s first missile launch since May, once again ignoring a United Nations Security Council ban on such weapons.

It was also the first missile test since Lee Jae Myung became South Korea’s president, running on a platform of dialogue with the North. Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to meet in South Korea next week during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where Trump is also expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, several projectiles believed to be short-range ballistic missiles were launched from an area near Pyongyang early Wednesday. The missiles flew northeast before landing inland, traveling roughly 350 kilometers (217 miles), the statement said.

President Trump’s visit to South Korea has fueled speculation about a possible meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Although the idea has been discussed between Lee and Trump, Pyongyang has not publicly responded. U.S. officials reportedly considered a trip to the demilitarized zone (DMZ), but no confirmation was made. South Korea has temporarily suspended tours of the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom until early November.

During Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021, he and Kim held three summits and exchanged what Trump called “beautiful letters.” Despite their talks, the diplomatic effort eventually collapsed due to Washington’s insistence that Kim give up his nuclear weapons.

Recently, Kim mentioned he still holds “fond memories” of Trump and said he would be open to dialogue if the U.S. stopped demanding full denuclearization. However, he made it clear that North Korea would never abandon its nuclear arsenal simply to lift sanctions.

Experts say another Trump-Kim meeting, though unlikely, cannot be ruled out. Victor Cha of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies noted that even a short meeting could have symbolic value, given the United States’ current global challenges. Andrew Yeo of the Brookings Institution added that Trump’s tight schedule and his meeting with Xi Jinping could make such an encounter difficult.

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Over the past decade, North Korea has steadily advanced its missile technology, defying UN sanctions and developing weapons capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. The latest launch adds to regional security concerns, especially after Pyongyang showcased its newest intercontinental ballistic missile at a recent parade attended by the Chinese premier.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that the launch did not affect Japan’s security and said Tokyo is sharing real-time information with Washington. North Korea’s last missile test was on May 8, when it fired multiple short-range missiles from its east coast.