US, South Korea and Japan hold joint air drills

The United States has held joint air exercises with South Korea and Japan. Strategic bombers took part in the exercises.A day earlier, North Korea launched a Hwaseong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as part of a “sudden launch exercise”.South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said the exercise, which involved South Korean F-35A and F-15K fighter jets and US F-16s escorted by US B-1B bombers, demonstrated “overwhelming” defense capability and combat readiness of the allies.”(The exercise) enhanced joint operations capability and confirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to the defense of the Korean Peninsula and the implementation of the extended deterrence program,” the South Korean military said. Korean in a statement.In a tactical exercise, Japan flew F-15s over the Sea of ​​Japan along with US military B-1 bombers and F-16 fighter jets, Japan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement. a statement, which called security conditions “increasingly harsh” after a North Korean missile fell in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).”These bilateral exercises confirm the strong will of Japan and the United States to respond to any situation, the readiness of the (Japan Self-Defense Forces) and the United States military, and further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance,” the ministry said.The aerial drill comes a day after North Korea fired a long-range ballistic missile into the sea off Japan’s west coast, warning of a strong response to upcoming South Korean and US military drills.North Korea launched an unprecedented number of missiles last year while resuming preparations for its first nuclear test since 2017.South Korean Foreign Minister Pak-jin said Saturday’s launch was a clear signal of the North’s intention to carry out further provocations.”If North Korea conducts a seventh nuclear test, which could happen at any time, it would be a game-changer in the sense that Pyongyang can develop and deploy tactical nuclear missiles,” Park said Saturday at the Munich conference. on security.North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs are banned by UN Security Council resolutions.