Jakarta, ThedailyID — North Korea launched another missile on Thursday (August 20), just hours after US President Donald Trump publicly expressed interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office said on X that the projectile launched by North Korea was believed to be a ballistic missile.
Trump said at the White House on Wednesday (August 19) that he wanted to meet Kim again, seeking to revive what he described as the relationship established during his first term.
Trump also stressed the importance of maintaining “good relations” with Kim. He claimed that North Korea currently has 57 “very powerful” nuclear weapons.
Hours after Trump’s remarks, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea had launched at least one unidentified projectile, according to AFP.
Trump’s renewed focus on Kim and his decision to scale back the size of joint US-South Korea military exercises have raised concerns among US allies in Asia.
The moves have also fueled speculation that Trump could be seeking a diplomatic opening amid stalled efforts to resolve the conflict involving Iran.
Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, also responded to Trump’s comments. She said she was unaware of any reported communication between her brother and the US president.
However, Kim Yo Jong said Kim still had “good memories and impressions” of Trump and described relations between the two leaders as “very good.”
South Korea had earlier decided to shorten its joint military exercise with the US after Trump called for a reduction in the drills.
The exercise is now expected to end this weekend rather than August 27, as originally planned, following a US proposal.
South Korea’s defense minister said Thursday that North Korea is estimated to possess between 80 and 120 nuclear weapons.
