But North Korea has been careful to avoid direct criticism of President Trump, perhaps believing he is more likely to make concessions if he is flattered. Earlier Thursday, North Korea announced it had test-fired a new tactical guided weapon, in its first public weapons test since the Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi in February. But they said it does not close the door on diplomacy or negotiations about North Korea’s nuclear program. “What matters in negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. is strategic, not tactical, weapons,” he said. “A test of tactical weapons does not constitute a full-on provocation, but North Korea is clearly sending a defiant message to the United States.

Source: Washington Post April 18, 2019 08:30 UTC