When one side arrives to talk trade and diplomacy, another launches missiles. On the very day US President Donald Trump touched down in Seoul for talks aimed at “revitalizing regional security", North Korea chose to remind everyone who still commands attention on the peninsula. Hours before Trump’s arrival, Pyongyang announced the “successful" test of a new sea-to-surface cruise missile system—a theatrical, calculated move that left no doubt about its intended audience. The timing and symbolism couldn’t be clearer: the peninsula’s long-standing fault line isn’t just geographical; it’s geopolitical.

On October 28, Pyongyang announced the successful test launch of cruise missiles from its western waters, reportedly flying for more than two hours before striking designated targets.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launches were detected around 3 pm, and that Seoul and Washington remain on high alert, analysing the weapons.

Meanwhile, President Trump arrived in South Korea on October 29 as part of his Asia tour—his final stop—ahead of a meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping scheduled for Thursday in Gyeongju.

Trump, speaking en route, dismissed the North’s launches with a quip: “They’ve been launching missiles for decades, right?"

And he emphasised his focus was on talks with China. Trump also made it clear that while a meeting with North Korean........

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