SEOUL: South Korea, Japan, and the United States on Sunday ( Nov 3 ) conducted a joint air drill involving a nuclear-capable bomber, Seoul’s military said, in response to North Korea’s latest long-range missile test.
Three days after Pyongyang launched one of its most potent and cutting-edge solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBM ), which experts claim could reach targets in the US mainland, the exercise was conducted.
The drilling mobilised the US ‘ B-1B atomic bomb, South Korea’s F-15K and KF-16 fighter planes, and Japan’s F-2 planes, Seoul’s government said.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea stated in a press release that the practice “demonstrates the responsibility of the ROK-US ally to integrated extended deterrence in response to North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile threats.”
The US corporate bomber was escorted by South Korea and Japan’s aircraft to a designated location north of the Asian Peninsula, “demonstrating an overpowering capability to quickly and accurately strike simulated targets,” the statement continued.