Did North Korea’s missile launches target the Xi-Trump summit agenda?

AI Summary

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, likely aiming to influence the agenda of the US-China summit by asserting its demand for nuclear recognition. Analysts interpret these missile tests as a strategic move to press denuclearisation talks conditions.

North Korea could be using missile tests to take its denuclearisation off the US-China summit agenda and drive home its demands for recognition as a nuclear power as a prerequisite for talks with Washington, according to analysts. On Sunday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, which, according to South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff, were detected three hours apart, with the first flying about 450km (280 miles), while the second travelled...