North Korea called U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton a "war monger" and "defective human product" Monday for saying Pyongyang's recent missile tests violated UN Security Council resolutions, AP reports, citing state media.

Why it matters: As North Korea criticized Bolton for his comments, President Trump said at a news conference in Tokyo "good respect" has been built between the U.S. and North Korea. "I personally think lots of good things will come with North Korea. I may be right. I may be wrong,” he said. "We’ll see what happens."

President Trump tweeted a different take Saturday on North Korea from national security adviser John Bolton, who said Pyongyang's recent missile tests violated UN Security Council resolutions and sanctions must remain against the country.

"North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me. I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me, & also smiled when he called Swampman Joe Biden a low IQ individual, & worse. Perhaps that’s sending me a signal?"

North Korea demanded Tuesday the immediate return of a cargo ship seized by the U.S. — which it said violated the spirit of the Hanoi summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the state-run KCNA news agency reports.

Why it matters: The capture of the ship, the Wise Honest — which Pyongyang labeled "unlawful" — marked the first time the U.S. has seized a North Korean cargo ship for violating UN sanctions. North Korea warned it'd be the "biggest miscalculation" if the U.S. believed it could control it with force.

The FBI and federal prosecutors seized a North Korean cargo vessel — named the Wise Honest — on Thursday for allegedly transporting and selling coal in violation of international sanctions, NBC News reports.

Why it matters: Justice Department officials told the Washington Post this marks the first time the U.S. has seized a North Korean cargo ship for violating sanctions. It's sure to ratchet up tensions with North Korea, which has recently resumed short-range missile testing, despite President Trump's efforts to rein in Kim Jong-un with a pair of summits.

Go deeper: How North Korea has "laundered" coal to undercut sanctions

North Korea fired 2 suspected short-range missiles eastward Thursday, South Korea's military said, per AP.

Details: The launch began about 4:30 p.m. local time from the northwest location of Sino-ri, towards the east, the South’s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, according to Reuters.

North Korea leader Kim Jong-un oversaw "strike drill" missile tests and said troops should be on "high alert posture," according to state media, following reports Pyongyang launched "multiple unidentified short-range projectiles" Saturday morning (local time).

Details: Projectiles touched down in the water between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. and South Korea are working closely "to maintain a full readiness posture," per the Washington Post.

Former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Joseph Yun told CNN Monday that he signed an agreement in 2017 to pay Kim Jong-un's regime $2 million for Otto Warmbier’s hospital care, a decision he believes was approved by President Trump.

The big picture: Trump has denied that the U.S. paid North Korea any money under the deal after the Washington Post reported its existence last week. National security adviser John Bolton confirmed on "Fox News Sunday" that an administration official did sign such a document.

Go deeper: North Korea billed U.S. $2 million before returning Otto Warmbier

President Trump denied in a Friday tweet that the U.S. paid any money toward a $2 million "medical" bill from North Korea for the return of hostage Otto Warmbier in 2017.

No money was paid to North Korea for Otto Warmbier, not two Million Dollars, not anything else. This is not the Obama Administration that paid 1.8 Billion Dollars for four hostages, or gave five terroist hostages plus, who soon went back to battle, for traitor Sgt. Bergdahl!

The big picture: The Washington Post reported that Trump ordered a U.S. envoy tasked with retrieving Warmbier to sign an agreement to pay the bill. Warmbier was detained in North Korea for 17 months and died shortly after being flown back to the U.S. in a comatose state.

Go deeper: Otto Warmbier dies after detainment in North Korea

Russia's Vladimir Putin met for over 3 hours on Thursday with North Korea's Kim Jong-un, who traveled by armored train from Pyongyang to Vladivostok in Russia.

Why it matters: The meeting comes as North Korea makes its frustrations with the Trump administration clear after the failed summit in Hanoi, and it puts Russia at the table in a process where its role has been peripheral.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin told a news conference after his summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un Thursday he'd speak with President Trump about what they discussed, saying "there are no secrets."

Details: After Putin and Kim met for the first time on Russky Island, near the port city of Vladivostok, in Russia's far east, for the summit, Putin said Russia welcomes Pyongyang's efforts to normalize relations with South Korea and the United States, but he said North Korea needs security guarantees before it gives up its nuclear program.