North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles Wednesday, its first such tests in five months, just days before President Donald Trump’s planned trip to South Korea.

South Korea’s military said the missiles, fired from an area south of Pyongyang, flew about 350 kilometers northeast but did not land in the sea.

Officials in Seoul said their forces remain on alert and are coordinating closely with the United States.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that Tokyo is sharing real-time missile warning data with Washington and Seoul.

The launches come as Trump prepares for an Asia tour, including visits to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, though he is not expected to attend the main APEC summit.

Analysts believe North Korea timed the tests to draw global attention ahead of the meetings and assert its status as a nuclear power.

Leader Kim Jong Un has intensified weapons testing since his 2019 nuclear talks with Trump collapsed over sanctions disputes, the Associated Press has reported.

Kim recently indicated he might resume diplomacy if Washington drops its demand for denuclearization.

Earlier this month, North Korea unveiled its new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads.

Observers say Pyongyang could test the new ICBM soon to reinforce its claim as a legitimate nuclear weapons state.