North Korea's New Cruise Missile Test: A Sign of Escalating Tensions?

North Korea tested a new cruise missile system this weekend, marking its third weapons display of the year. The test came just days after President Donald Trump expressed his intent to reach out to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The missiles, described as "strategic, " reportedly hit targets after traveling over 900 miles in complex flight patterns, although this hasn't been independently verified. North Korea's state news agency quoted Kim as saying that the country's military capabilities are improving. He also vowed a tough response to U. S. -South Korean military drills, which North Korea views as a threat. South Korea, meanwhile, maintains it's ready to defend against any provocations. The Foreign Ministry of North Korea criticized the U. S. for military exercises with South Korea, calling them "provocations. " The ministry warned that North Korea would respond with the toughest measures if the U. S. doesn't respect its sovereignty and security interests. This test raises questions about the future of diplomatic efforts between the U. S. and North Korea. Some experts suggest that Kim feels he has more bargaining power now due to North Korea's growing nuclear arsenal. In South Korea, there are concerns that Trump might scale back joint military exercises and focus only on eliminating long-range missiles, which directly threaten the U. S. but leave out nuclear attacks on South Korea.