North Korea has launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles from the southern North Hwanghae Province, with the projectiles landing in the northeastern North Hamgyong Province, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The test follows a previous missile launch in early May and is believed to be timed to coincide with US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to South Korea for the APEC summit.
South Korea has been closely monitoring the missile launches, with military analysts suggesting the projectiles may be of the same type tested by Pyongyang in September 2024. Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has stated that Tokyo is sharing real-time tracking and warning data with both the United States and South Korea following the launches. Pyongyang has not commented on the tests, which mark the latest in a series of ballistic missile trials this year.
Some media outlets have suggested that the new launch was timed in anticipation of US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to South Korea. He is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next week in the coastal city of Gyeongju. Media outlets in South Korea and Japan have also speculated that Trump could meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during the trip, a potential reprise of the high-profile summits they held during Trump’s first term.