Seoul: South Korea and the United States carried out joint air drills on Tuesday over the Korean Peninsula involving U.S. B-1B bombers, as confirmed by the defense ministry. This exercise was aimed at showcasing a united front against military threats from North Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the exercise saw the participation of South Korean F-35A and F-16 fighter jets alongside U.S. F-16s. This joint operation was designed to exhibit the allies' readiness to counter North Korea's growing nuclear and missile capabilities. The timing of the drills coincided with a significant North Korean holiday, the 113th birth anniversary of Kim Il-sung, known as the "Day of the Sun."
The defense ministry emphasized the importance of these exercises, stating, "In order to deter and respond to North Korea's threats, South Korea and the U.S. will continue to expand combined exercises and strengthen the level of cooperation of the South Korea-U.S. alliance." While the ministry did not disclose the exact number of B-1Bs involved, images from the exercise revealed two U.S. bombers flying alongside fighter jets.
This exercise marked the second of its kind this year, following similar drills conducted on February 20. Additionally, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan had previously engaged in trilateral air drills in January, which also included the participation of the bomber. North Korea has historically expressed strong opposition to the presence of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula, accusing the U.S. of escalating regional tensions.
In response to the February drills, Pyongyang issued threats to use "strategic means" against U.S. actions. The latest exercise also came on the heels of political changes in South Korea, following the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month due to his controversial imposition of martial law in December.