[United States Air Force]
Two American B-1B strategic bombers, backed by South Korean jet fighters, launched a simulated missile attack on North Korean targets, despite Pyongyang's threat to shoot them down, military authorities said.
The flight on Tuesday night came as North Korea celebrated the founding anniversary of its ruling communist party. Pyongyang has threatened to shoot down American bombers if they fly near its airspace.
The U.S. bombers from Guam staged a simulated missile strike twice off the east coast and in the Yellow Sea, escorted by two South Korean F-15Ks during a flight across the Korean peninsula, according to the South's joint chiefs of staff (JCS).
The joint drill demonstrated the "strong willingness and ability" of U.S. and South Korean troops to fend off North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the JCS said in a statement.
At talks in New York last month, South Korean President Moo Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to expand the rotational deployment of key American military assets. At midnight on September 23, B-1Bs made a sudden flight in international airspace north of the inter-Korean border.
US and South Korea troops will hold a joint sea drill this month when an American aircraft carrier strike group arrives, the defense ministry said. There have been news reports that the USS Michigan, an Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine would be deployed. The American attack submarine USS Tucson arrived in South Korea last weekend, according to the Hawaii-based Pacific Command.
Tuesday's drill was aimed at testing a "quick" response by South Korean and US air assets, the JCS said. Seoul and Washington pledged a strong response after North Korea launched a Hwasong-12 ballistic missile that flew the about 3,700 kilometers (2,294 miles). Pyongyang insisted the launch demonstrated its ability to attack Guam.
North Korea has reacted hysterically to the flight of B-1Bs capable of carrying nuclear weapons. There are about 28,000 US troops stationed in South Korea. Extra US military assets and personnel come from abroad for regular joint drills. Pyongyang condemns them as provocative rehearsals for an invasion.
Pyongyang has issued a series of threats following the US-led adoption of new UN sanctions prompted by its ICBM and nuclear tests. The North's military has threatened to fire missiles around Guam.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
