North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday, South Korea’s military reported, marking its first missile launch since May and just a week ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. The launches defy United Nations Security Council bans and signal Pyongyang’s ongoing missile development despite international sanctions.

The missiles, believed to have been launched from near Pyongyang in a northeasterly direction, traveled approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles), with some reportedly landing inland, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The launch comes shortly after the election of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, whose platform favors engagement with North Korea.

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People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing short-range ballistic missiles, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 22, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji REFILE – REMOVING REFERENCE TO MISSILE BEING FIRED TOWARDS THE SEA OFF ITS EAST COAST AND CORRECTING “MISSILE” TO “MISSILES”.

As reported in Reuters, Trump is expected to meet Lee and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit next week. There has been speculation about a potential meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but Pyongyang has not confirmed any engagement. U.S. officials have considered, but not finalized, a trip to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. Tours of the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom have been suspended until early November.

During Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021, he held three summits with Kim and exchanged letters described by Trump as “beautiful,” before talks broke down over U.S. demands for denuclearization. North Korea has repeatedly emphasized that it will not give up its nuclear arsenal to lift sanctions, although Kim expressed in September that discussions remain possible if Washington refrains from pressing denuclearization.

north korea

People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing short-range ballistic missiles, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 22, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji REFILE – REMOVING REFERENCE TO MISSILE BEING FIRED TOWARDS THE SEA OFF ITS EAST COAST AND CORRECTING “MISSILE” TO “MISSILES”.

Experts highlight that even a brief meeting between Trump and Kim could carry symbolic significance, despite the limited scope of any potential negotiations. Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that a short encounter could be diplomatically beneficial, even amid Pyongyang’s nuclear stance. Andrew Yeo of the Brookings Institution said scheduling constraints may make a meeting unlikely, given Trump’s tight itinerary and the planned Xi-Trump discussions.

North Korea has steadily upgraded its missile capabilities over the past decade, including intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland if launched on a long-range trajectory. Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, said the missile launches posed no immediate threat to Japanese security and that Tokyo is sharing real-time information with the United States.

The most recent prior missile test occurred on May 8, when North Korea fired multiple short-range projectiles from its east coast. Earlier this month, Pyongyang showcased its latest intercontinental ballistic missile during a parade attended by the Chinese premier, underscoring ongoing developments in its nuclear and missile programs.