Pyongyang, October 29, 2025 — Just hours before US President Donald Trump’s arrival in South Korea, North Korea test-fired multiple sea-to-surface strategic cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea, according to state-run media. The move underscores Pyongyang’s intent to showcase its growing military capabilities amid heightened regional tensions and renewed global attention on the Korean Peninsula.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed on Wednesday that the test was conducted on Tuesday and involved missiles flying for more than two hours before hitting pre-set targets “with precision.” North Korea’s top military commander Pak Jong Chon supervised the launch, which he described as part of an effort to strengthen the country’s “nuclear deterrent capabilities” against its “enemies.”
Strategic Display During Trump’s Asia Tour
The timing of the North Korean missile tests appears highly deliberate, coinciding with Trump’s arrival in Seoul for high-level talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju.
KCNA said the tests were designed to “assess the reliability of different strategic offensive means and impress their abilities upon the enemies.” Pak emphasized that it was the nation’s “mission and duty to ceaselessly toughen the nuclear combat posture.”
The launch represents another chapter in North Korea’s recent series of weapons tests, following last week’s short-range ballistic missile launches, which the regime claimed were tied to the development of a new hypersonic missile system aimed at enhancing its nuclear strike capability.
South Korea and US Monitor Launch Closely
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed the launch preparations and said the missiles were fired at around 3pm local time on Tuesday. The JCS reported that the South Korean and US militaries remain on high alert and are conducting detailed analysis of the weapon systems involved.
“South Korea and the United States are maintaining a combined defense posture capable of a dominant response against any North Korean provocation,” the JCS said in a statement.
The missile tests are the latest sign of Pyongyang’s continued defiance of international sanctions and diplomatic overtures, as the country presses ahead with its nuclear weapons program despite repeated calls for restraint from Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Trump’s Visit: Diplomacy and Tensions Intertwined
President Trump’s visit to South Korea marks the latest leg of his Asia tour, following a stop in Japan where he met with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea. Trump assured them of America’s continued support, saying, “The US is with you all the way.”
In Seoul, Trump is expected to discuss regional security issues, economic cooperation, and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions with President Lee. Although Trump has expressed openness to a potential meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, South Korean officials have said such an encounter is “unlikely” during this trip.
Kim Jong Un recently remarked that he holds “fond memories” of his past meetings with Trump but would only consider future talks if the US abandons its demand that North Korea fully denuclearize.
A History of Failed Diplomacy
US-North Korea relations have been frozen since 2019, when the Hanoi Summit between Trump and Kim collapsed over disagreements regarding sanctions relief and nuclear disarmament commitments. Since then, Pyongyang has refused diplomatic engagement and accelerated its weapons programs, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), tactical nuclear warheads, and submarine-launched systems.
Experts say North Korea’s latest test serves both a domestic propaganda purpose and a strategic deterrence message to Washington and Seoul.
“This test is a show of force aimed at reminding both Trump and Xi that North Korea remains a key regional player capable of shaping the security agenda,” said Dr. Lee Hyun-woo, a defense analyst at the Korea Institute for Security Studies.
Japan’s Abduction Issue Resurfaces
Before flying to South Korea, Trump met in Tokyo with the families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. North Korea previously admitted to kidnapping 13 Japanese nationals, claiming that five had been returned and eight were dead. Japan maintains that 17 people were abducted and continues to demand a full accounting.
The abduction issue remains a major sticking point in Japan-North Korea relations, even as Tokyo seeks greater coordination with Washington and Seoul in dealing with Pyongyang’s provocations.
Outlook: Heightened Military and Diplomatic Uncertainty
The cruise missile test underscores North Korea’s ongoing commitment to expanding its strategic arsenal amid growing isolation. With Trump, Xi, and Lee meeting in Gyeongju, the launch sends a clear message that Pyongyang will not be sidelined in regional diplomacy.
While the US and its allies push for renewed dialogue, North Korea appears intent on using its nuclear and missile capabilities as leverage to force concessions. Analysts predict further provocations in the coming weeks, especially if Washington intensifies sanctions or military cooperation with South Korea and Japan.
As Trump continues his Asia tour, the North Korean issue remains at the forefront of the region’s security challenges, with the risk of miscalculation higher than at any time since 2017.
📊 Key Takeaways
- Event: North Korea test-fires sea-to-surface cruise missiles in Yellow Sea.
- Timing: Hours before Trump arrives in South Korea for APEC Summit.
- Purpose: Demonstrate nuclear deterrence and send message to “enemies.”
- Response: South Korea and US remain on alert, analyzing launch data.
- Diplomatic context: Comes amid Trump’s meetings with Xi and Lee Jae Myung.
- Outlook: Rising tensions, limited prospects for US-North Korea dialogue.
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