NEW THREAT: North Korea Launches Missile On Eve Of Trump-Xi Summit (VIDEO)

Only one day before the start of a U.S. China summit, the increasingly provocative nation of North Korea test fired a ballistic missile.

The missile was fired into the sea off the east coast of North Korea yesterday. It was sent during the annual joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. It travelled approximately 37 miles before crashing into the ocean off the port city of Sinpo, according to South Korean news reports.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson responded to the provocation with a short statement that left many listeners puzzled. He said:

“North Korea launched yet another intermediate range ballistic missile. The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment.”

Tillerson’s words sounded ominous to some, given that a month ago he stated that the past twenty years of diplomatic efforts to control the North Koreans has failed. He stated then that “all options were on the table,” a phrase that is recognized as meaning that military action is being considered.

U.S. Pacific Command said that the missile was launched from land. They described it as a KN-15 intermediate range missile. It is not capable of reaching the U.S., but the trend is certainly alarming.

North Korea has tested five nuclear missiles in the past couple of years, and has been testing ballistic missiles regularly. They claim to be working on an intercontinental weapon to be ready in the near future.

If they already have nuclear weapons, and are working on lobbing them across the ocean, that would mean that a nuclear attack on the U.S. would be possible for North Korea.

The timing of the latest test firing is undoubtedly connected to the upcoming summit between Trump and Xi, to be held this weekend at Mar-a-Lago. China is an ally and supporter of North Korea, although it has stated that it doesn’t approve of the missile tests or the nuclear program in the North.

Last month, Trump criticized the Chinese leader for not doing enough to control its North Korean ally, and promised that if needed the U.S. would “go it alone” to solve the problem.

It looks like President Kim of North Korea is doing his best to provoke trouble between his ally and his greatest enemy.

The increased saber rattling, combined with the progress of the North Korean program, is making a lot of leaders around the world more than uneasy. Add in the impulsive, dysfunctional nature of the American government right now, and there is plenty of reason for us all to be shaking in our boots.

For more detailed coverage, watch the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mxHRKtB2qw

Featured image by driver Photographer via Flickr. (CC SA-BY 2.0)

Karen is a retired elementary school teacher with many years of progressive activism behind her. She is the proud mother of three young adults who were all arrested with Occupy Wall Street. To see what she writes about in her spare time, check out her blog at "Empty Nest, Full Life"