North Korea Launches Short-Range Missiles Following Trump's Meeting Announcement

On Thursday, North Korea launched approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area toward the Sea of Japan, as reported by the South Korean military. The missiles traveled an estimated 320 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of 90 kilometers before landing outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. This missile launch occurred just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year. In response, Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, stated that she was 'not aware' of Trump's claims regarding communication with her brother and criticized Trump's recent order to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Analysts suggest that reviving talks between the U.S. and North Korea will be challenging for Trump.