South Korea And US Hold Joint Air Exercises The Day After North Korea's Missile Launch: Deploy Strategic Bombings To Stealth Fighter Jets

Illustration of joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States. (Source: ROKAF)

JAKARTA - South Korea and the United States held joint air exercises, involving at least one B-52H strategic bomber on Friday, Seoul's Defense Ministry said, a day after North Korea conducted a new intercontinental ballistic missile test (ICBM).

North Korean state media have confirmed the country conducted its first test of the Hwasong-18 solid-fueled ICBM on Thursday, increasing tensions that had risen with previous weapons tests, including tests of underwater nuclear strike drones.

The South Korean Air Force mobilized F-35A stealth fighter jets and F-15K jets for the drills, while the US authorities deployed F-16 fighters in addition to bombers, according to the ministry.

It was not stated in which part of the Korean Peninsula the exercise took place.

"It is considered that (training) represents a close and coordinated response that demonstrates the strong 'power of the alliance' and the United States' desire to provide broader precautions against North Korea's recent series of provocations," the ministry said in a press release. April 14.

The exercise reaffirmed the ability to quickly deploy US strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula, as well as increased combined operational capabilities and allied interoperability, he added.

Furthermore, the ministry also said allies would show "through action" their determination not to accept nuclear attacks from North Korea by strengthening the frequency and intensity of the deployment of US strategic assets.

Strategic assets usually refer to high-profile military assets, such as nuclear-powered aircraft, submarines and strategic bombers.

It is known that the latest deployment of B-52H bombers followed previous shipments to the Korean Peninsula for allied exercises on Wednesday last week and on March 6.