On 20 September North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea. South Korea’s military said the first missile travelled about 300 miles and the second more than 400 miles. The launches were just ahead of the UN General Assembly on the 22nd and Xi Jinping’s visit to the USA from the 23rd to 25th (see). Analysts interpreted the tests as signalling Pyongyang’s opposition to negotiations requiring denuclearisation, although North Korea did not initially state its purpose. The launches also followed criticism by Kim Yo-jong, sister of leader Kim Jong-un, of US-led multinational military exercises. Trump has expressed willingness to resume talks with Kim, while South Korea’s president Lee Jae Myung continues advocating dialogue and eventual denuclearisation. US military officials said the launches presented no immediate threat to American personnel, territory or regional allies, while reaffirming Washington’s defence commitments.