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

North Korea conducted missile tests in the days leading up to the Xi-Trump summit, potentially using them to offset denuclearization talks and assert its nuclear status before negotiations, according to analysts. On September 12, the isolated nation launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles, attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, and large-calibre multiple rocket launchers just after the US-South Korea military drill ended.

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan nine days later, which analysts claim were tests of a new hypersonic missile. These launches came a few days before Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the United States for a summit with US President Donald Trump. North Korea typically escalates missile tests ahead of major diplomatic and military events to maximize international attention and leverage.

In the past, North Korea conducted similar actions before the Xi-Trump summit in October last year. US President Trump has previously sought to restart talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but Pyongyang has refused to engage in denuclearization talks without the recognition of its nuclear status. Analysts believe that the missile tests were aimed at blocking cooperation between the US and China and asserting North Korea's military and political dominance in East Asia.