Did North Korea’s missile launches target the Xi-Trump summit age

North Korean media confirmed on Tuesday that the latest launches were a test of a new type of hypersonic missile, observed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Tests before high-profile diplomacy

Analysts said North Korea could be using missile tests to keep denuclearisation off the agenda of a US-China summit and to underline its demand to be recognised as a nuclear power before talks with Washington.

Pyongyang typically conducts such tests ahead of major global diplomatic and military events to maximise attention and leverage.

That pattern is central to why analysts are reading the latest launches as a message aimed beyond the Korean peninsula.

What was launched

On Sunday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, according to South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff.

South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff said the two missiles were detected three hours apart.

The first missile flew about 450km (280 miles), while the second travelled more than 600km, according to the same account.

North Korean media later described the launches as the test of a new type of its hypersonic missile.

Earlier weapons activity

Sunday’s tests came eight days after another North Korean launch sequence on September 12.

That earlier activity included a mix of multiple short-range ballistic missiles, attack drones, tactical cruise missiles and large-calibre multiple rocket launchers.

The September 12 launches took place a day after the Freedom Edge military drill between the US, South Korea and Japan ended.

Together, the two rounds of tests add context to analysts’ view that Pyongyang is seeking attention and leverage around major diplomatic and military events.

Source: South China Morning Post