North Korea Conducts Ballistic Missile Test After Rejecting U.S. Diplomatic Overture

North Korea conducted a ballistic missile test Thursday, launching roughly 10 short-range projectiles toward its eastern waters, according to South Korea’s military command. The launches occurred from the Pyongyang region around 5 p.m. local time, marking an escalation following Washington’s decision to reduce upcoming joint exercises with Seoul.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the firings and said the military has increased monitoring capabilities while sharing intelligence with American and Japanese counterparts. The presidential national security council convened an emergency session to address the launches, subsequently calling on North Korea to cease ballistic missile development in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The missile test came one day after President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially curtail the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises with South Korea, which began Monday. Trump cited favorable personal relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and expressed frustration with South Korea’s stance on regional conflicts.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong Un, dismissed Trump’s conciliatory gesture Wednesday, characterizing it as unworthy of serious consideration. She argued that reducing the scope of military drills would not alter their confrontational purpose and warned the United States against miscalculating North Korean intentions.

Despite her sharp rebuke, Kim Yo Jong refrained from deploying typically inflammatory language and affirmed that relations between her brother and Trump remain “still excellent,” suggesting North Korea awaits additional American concessions before resuming talks. Trump indicated earlier this week he expects to meet with Kim Jong Un this year, though he declined to confirm ongoing correspondence.