North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Friday towards the sea off its east coast, reigniting regional security concerns and testing diplomatic patience across Asia.
The launch, confirmed by both South Korea and Japan, followed a series of recent missile tests and came soon after US President Donald Trump reiterated his willingness to engage in dialogue with Pyongyang.
The timing suggests a deliberate attempt by North Korea to strengthen its negotiating position amid heightened tensions and renewed international scrutiny.
Missile fired from near Chinese border
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the unidentified missile was launched from a northwestern area of North Korea near the Chinese border and flew eastward towards the sea.
Japan’s government said the projectile appeared to be a ballistic missile that likely fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, adding that there were no immediate reports of damage or disruptions to maritime or aviation routes.
The incident marks another addition to North Korea’s growing list of weapons tests this year.
Pyongyang has fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles in recent weeks, including a claimed hypersonic missile and several sea-to-surface cruise missiles.
These tests took place shortly before the visits of Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to South Korea for a regional summit, underlining the strategic timing of North Korea’s military activity.
Trump signals openness to renewed dialogue
During his visit to Seoul last week, Trump repeated his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, reviving expectations that stalled diplomatic talks could resume.
Although no meeting took place, Trump said he was open to returning to the region to engage Kim directly if conditions allowed.
The two leaders last met at the Panmunjom truce village on the inter-Korean military border in 2019, during Trump’s first term.
That encounter, which made global headlines, was seen as a rare moment of détente between Washington and Pyongyang.
Despite the lack of progress since then, Trump’s latest remarks indicate a continued desire to negotiate, even as North Korea expands its weapons capabilities.
Pyongyang’s message amid sanctions and isolation
Kim Jong Un has not yet responded to Trump’s latest invitation, but previous state media reports noted that he held “fond memories” of past meetings and would not rule out dialogue if Washington abandoned its demand that North Korea fully denuclearise.
However, on Thursday, the North’s foreign ministry accused the Trump administration of “antagonising” the country by imposing sanctions on its officials and institutions for alleged money laundering activities.
This dual strategy of diplomacy and defiance reflects North Korea’s long-standing approach to dealing with international pressure.
By continuing weapons tests while leaving the door open for talks, Pyongyang maintains leverage over both Washington and Beijing, ensuring it remains a central player in regional power dynamics.
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