North Korea test-fired sea-to-surface cruise missiles before US President Donald Trump’s arrival for regional summits in South Korea.
SEOUL: North Korea test-fired sea-to-surface cruise missiles to the west of the Korean peninsula on Tuesday.
The test occurred just as US President Donald Trump and other leaders prepared to gather in South Korea for regional meetings.
State media KCNA confirmed the missile launch on Wednesday.
Trump is due to arrive in the South Korean city of Gyeongju on Wednesday to join other heads of state and business leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
He is also expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the United States would at some point meet with North Korea.
The cruise missiles were fired vertically and flew for about 7,800 seconds along a preset route to hit their target.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was not in attendance for the test according to KCNA.
Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, said important successes are being made in developing North Korea’s nuclear forces.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military had detected the cruise missiles in the sea west of North Korea.
The military was prepared for the launch and is now analysing details of the test.
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