Just hours before former U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in South Korea, North Korea issued a pointed warning through action. Launching a powerful land-attack cruise missile from the sea.
Kim Jong Un" class="wp-image-231711"/>State media KCNA confirmed that the missiles flew for over two hours before striking their designated targets. Analysts described the launch not merely as a military show of force but as a political message from Kim Jong Un directed at Trump.
The timing has raised eyebrows across the region. Trump had earlier expressed interest in meeting Kim during his Asia tour, but Pyongyang offered no response. The silence has reignited questions about whether tensions between Washington. And Pyongyang are once again on the rise—and whether Russia’s growing ties with North Korea are fueling the provocation.
According to military sources, the missiles are believed to have a range of around 2,000 kilometers. Placing the entire Korean Peninsula, Japan, and parts of the South China Sea within reach. Experts suggest the launch underscores Kim’s intent to remind global powers that North Korea remains a nuclear-capable state unwilling to appear weak.
“At some point we’ll be involved with North Korea… We’ll, at some point in the not too distant future, meet with North Korea.” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, when asked about the missile test.
The cruise missiles were fired vertically and flew about 7,800 seconds. Or around 2 hours 10 minutes, along a preset route to hit the target, KCNA said.
As Trump’s diplomatic schedule unfolds across Asia, speculation continues over a possible meeting with Kim. During a stopover from Malaysia to Japan, Trump told reporters he was “open” to talks, adding, “If Kim reaches out, I’m ready to meet. I’ve announced my visit to South Korea—if he wants to talk, I’m available.”
Trump also noted that communication with Pyongyang remains limited: “They have nuclear weapons but not effective telephones,” he quipped, reaffirming his willingness to engage despite the strained relationship.
