Lee’s approach runs risk of normalizing North Korea as a nuclear power

North Korea's recent missile tests have raised concerns that the country may be using these launches to steer the agenda away from denuclearisation during the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. On Sunday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles, with the first traveling about 450km and the second exceeding 600km.

Analysts suggest these tests were aimed at reinforcing North Korea's stance that denuclearisation cannot occur until the US officially recognizes the nation as a nuclear power. This comes just eight days after a mix of multiple short-range ballistic missiles, attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, and multiple rocket launchers were fired on September 12, days after the US-South Korea military drill concluded.

North Korea typically launches missile tests in the lead-up to major diplomatic or military events to draw international attention and leverage. This move is particularly concerning as it occurred shortly before Xi Jinping's visit to the US for a summit with Trump. North Korea's actions have been observed by experts as an attempt to block cooperation between the US and China regarding the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

While the Xi-Trump summit statement initially indicated a shared goal to denuclearise North Korea, China has since reduced diplomatic and defence ties with Pyongyang, seemingly endorsing North Korea's nuclear position.