Trump downplays NKorea missile test violations

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump brushed off concerns Friday that North Korea's recent series of missile tests violate UN resolutions.

Trump instead insisted they are not at odds with the "trust" he has in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"These missiles tests are not a violation of our signed Singapore agreement, nor was there discussion of short range missiles when we shook hands," Trump tweeted. "There may be a United Nations violation, but Chairman Kim does not want to disappoint me with a violation of trust, there is far too much for North Korea to gain - the potential as a Country, under Kim Jong Un’s leadership, is unlimited."

Trump went on to praise his "friend" Kim, saying that while he "may be wrong," he believes the North's leader "has a great and beautiful vision for his country, and only the United States, with me as President, can make that vision come true."

South Korea's military said early Friday two missiles were fired a little more than 20 minutes apart from around 3 a.m. (1800 GMT).

The missiles were launched from the same eastern area as the North's most recent tests Wednesday and the Thursday before last, although Pyongyang earlier insisted that Wednesday's firings involved a new rocket launch system rather than missiles.

North Korea's state media also previously cautioned that its recent launches were a warning to South Korea ahead of this month's planned military drills with the United States.

While the U.S. has played down the significance of Pyongyang's short-range projectiles, the North is barred from testing ballistic missiles under successive United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Britain, France and Germany released a statement condemning the North's recent launches following a closed-door UNSC meeting Thursday.

Trump had previously cited the lack of missile launches as a benefit of his talks with the North, but while he and Kim agreed in late June to resume negotiations during a landmark meeting at the demilitarized zone between the North and South there has been is no concrete plan to hold additional negotiations even though working-level dialogue had been expected to get underway after the surprise meeting.