South Korea, Japan, and the United States conducted a joint air drill featuring a U.S. heavy bomber, Seoul’s military announced, in response to North Korea’s recent long-range missile launch.
The exercise, held on Sunday, came just three days after North Korea launched one of its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) with solid fuel, capable of reaching targets on the U.S. mainland, according to experts.
Seoul’s military confirmed that the drill involved the U.S. B-1B bomber, South Korea’s F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets, and Japan’s F-2 jets.
“This exercise underscores the commitment of the ROK-U.S. alliance to integrated extended deterrence in response to North Korea’s escalating nuclear and missile threats,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated in a press release.
During the drill, South Korean and Japanese jets escorted the U.S. strategic bomber to a location south of the Korean peninsula, demonstrating “overwhelming capability to swiftly and accurately strike simulated targets,” the statement added.
The B-1B Lancer, a supersonic heavy bomber, is known for its high-speed capabilities and can carry up to 34,000 kilograms of munitions, including conventional and precision-guided weapons.
This marked the fourth deployment of the B-1B to the Korean peninsula this year and the second trilateral aerial exercise aimed at countering North Korea’s military threats.
The recent ICBM launch by North Korea reportedly reached a higher altitude and traveled further than previous tests, as confirmed by both North Korean and South Korean and Japanese military tracking.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency praised the launch as “the world’s strongest strategic missile,” with leader Kim Jong-un reportedly expressing “great satisfaction” at its success.
The agency also reiterated North Korea’s stance on strengthening its nuclear forces, declaring that the country “would never alter its course” on nuclear development.
The missile launch occurred amid rising global concerns about reports that North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to Russia to support its war efforts in Ukraine, sparking fears that North Korean forces, dressed in Russian uniforms, might soon see combat.
