Despite launch, Trump says N. Korea nuke deal still likely
President Donald Trump on Saturday downplayed the importance of North Korea’s launch of short-range projectiles, saying he does not believe North Korea’s leader would jeopardize a potential nuclear disarmament deal.
Trump tweeted Saturday: “Anything in this very interesting world is possible, but I believe that Kim Jong Un fully realizes the great economic potential of North Korea, & will do nothing to interfere or end it. He also knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me. Deal will happen!”
North Korean state media on Sunday said Kim had observed a live-fire drill of long-range multiple rocket launchers and unspecified tactical guided weapons, a day after South Korea’s military detected the North launching several unidentified short-range projectiles into the sea off its eastern coast.
Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim expressed “great satisfaction” over Saturday’s drill.
If it’s confirmed the North fired banned ballistic missiles, it would be the first such launch since the North’s November 2017 test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
South Korea said in a statement it’s “very concerned” about North Korea’s weapons launches, calling them a violation of last year’s inter-Korean agreements to reduce animosities between the countries. The statement, issued after an emergency meeting of top officials at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, also urged North Korea to stop committing acts that would raise military tensions and join efforts to resume nuclear diplomacy.