North Korea’s missile tests raise stakes for Trump’s personal diplomacy with Kim

North Korea’s return to missile testing after a long hiatus raises the stakes for President Trump ahead of planned nuclear negotiations, undermining his claim that his personal relationship with dictator Kim Jong Un has reduced the threat from North Korea and made Asian allies safer.

North Korea says its testing is a warning to South Korea, which is resuming joint military exercises with the United States in August and is also acquiring American F-35 stealth fighter jets. The challenge from Kim to Trump is also clear and appears aimed at squeezing concessions from the U.S. leader when negotiators meet after months of delay. That session is expected soon, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday.

The White House has had a muted response to the latest tests of two short-range missiles. It did not issue a statement or otherwise comment on the most recent launch Tuesday.

Read the full article and more in The Washington Post.