North Korea fires missiles hours after Trump announces Kim meeting

North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday, according to South Korea's military, just hours after former US President Donald Trump revealed his intention to meet with Pyongyang's leader, Kim Jong Un, later this year. The missile firings coincide with ongoing, though reduced, joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.

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I plan to meet him later this year. We’re going to get along. It’s important to get along with him.

Pyongyang has historically condemned US-South Korea military drills as invasion rehearsals, often responding with missile tests during these periods. Trump, seeking to re-establish a connection with Kim, stated his plan to meet the North Korean leader, emphasizing the importance of "getting along" and noting North Korea's nuclear arsenal. Hours after Trump's remarks, North Korea fired over 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea, traveling approximately 300 kilometers.

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North Korea now has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons.

South Korea's presidential office convened an emergency security meeting, condemning the launches as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and ordering heightened military readiness. Trump's renewed engagement with Kim and the scaling back of joint military drills have reportedly alarmed Asian allies, fueling speculation about his foreign policy objectives. Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, commented that her brother held "good memories and feelings" about Trump, though she was unaware of current communications. The reduced Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises are scheduled to conclude on Friday, with the Pentagon asserting no degradation to US training objectives.

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My brother had good memories and feelings about President Trump, and the relationship between the two leaders remains excellent.