South Korea and the US flew advanced stealth fighters in a joint missile-interception drill Friday over the Korean Peninsula, South Korea’s air force said, an apparent response to a spate of weapons tests this yr by rival North Korea.
North Korea has conducted six rounds of missile tests up to now this yr, most of them reportedly involving cruise missiles that typically fly at a low altitude to beat opponents’ missile defenses. Analysts say that within the event of a conflict, North Korea goals to make use of cruise missiles to strike U.S. aircraft carriers in addition to U.S. military bases in Japan.
South Korea’s air force said in an announcement the drill on Friday involved fifth-generation stealth F-35A fighter jets from each countries and other fighter jets from South Korea. It said the U.S. F-35As were deployed in South Korea on Wednesday from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.
North Korea has ramped up its weapons tests since 2022 in what experts call an try and increase its leverage in future diplomacy. South Korea and the U.S. have responded by expanding their military exercises and trilateral training with Japan.
On the sidelines of a G20 meeting in Rio De Janeiro on Thursday, the highest diplomats from South Korea, the U.S. and Japan agreed to strengthen their joint response capability against North Korea’s evolving nuclear threats and coordinate to dam the North’s financing of its nuclear program, in response to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry.
This yr, North Korea is predicted to step up its testing activities and belligerent rhetoric as each the usand South Korea head into elections. North Korea is probably going looking for international recognition as a nuclear state, a standing that experts say the North thinks would help it receive relief from U.S.-led economic sanctions.
North Korea’s advancing nuclear arsenal has likely emboldened its stance, and there are concerns that the North may launch a limited military provocation against the South. Observers say a full-scale attack is unlikely because the North is outgunned by more superior U.S. and South Korean forces.
U.S. and South Korean officials have repeatedly warned that any nuclear attack by North Korea against them would spell the top of the North’s government, led by Kim Jong Un.