On Sunday, a day after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, in an unexpected launch episode. The US and South Korea in response conducted a joint air drill featuring American strategic bombers.
The drill, saw South Korean F-35A, F-15K, and American F-16 fighters accompany American B-1B bombers. It was described by South Korea as showcasing its “superior” military capabilities and preparedness to the allies.
The South’s military released a statement saying that the exercise “boosted the joint operation capacity. Additionally, it reiterated the United States’ unshakable resolve to the defence of the Korean Peninsula and the implementation of extended deterrence.
Fumio Kishida, the prime minister of Japan, labelled the event a threat to the global community. He stated during a conference that his country had lodged a robust protest and strongly criticised the launch.
Media reports suggest, a joint air exercise between Japan and the United States is also likely to take place soon.
North Korea Provokes USA-South Korea
On Friday, the North threatened to execute unrelenting and powerful counter-actions like never before in response to South Korea and the US upcoming military drills.
Prior to the annual Freedom Shield joint military exercise they had accused Washington of inciting conflict.
Accordingly the USA was blamed for conducting drills that included US stealth fighters and a BI-B strategic bomber . These aircrafts are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
On Sunday, Pyongyang declared that it had successfully tested an ICBM as a warning to Washington and Seoul. The North claimed the successful surprise exercise displayed it’s “capability of devastating nuclear counter-attack.”
The Hwasong-15
Launched at 5.22 p.m. on Saturday, The Hwasong-1 soared for a total of 66 minutes. It attained a height of 5,768 kilometres, before precisely hitting a target 989 km. The target is located deep in open waters of Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Analysis reports that it could hit the US mainland.
The Sunan region, close to Pyongyang, launched the long-range missile. The Pyongyang International Airport is located in Sunan. The majority of recent ICBM testing is carried out in Sunan.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, issued yet another warning while railing against the United States for attempting to use the U.N. Security Council as an instrument for its vile hostile policy towards Pyongyang.
“I warn that we will watch every movement of the enemy and take corresponding and very powerful and overwhelming counteraction against its every move hostile to us,”
Kim Yo Jong
The North’s ruling party applauded the actual combat capacity of the ICBM units which are ready for rapid and massive retaliation. The military unit received an outstanding grade for the exercise.
Experts predict that Pyongyang may test more weapons, possibly a new solid-fuel missile that would enable the North to launch its missiles more quickly in the event of a conflict and with a decreased time between the wishes of the supreme leader and the firing.
The UN Security Council resolutions have prohibited The development of nuclear and ballistic missiles by North Korea , Pyongyang maintains that this is vital to combat the “hostile policies” of the United States and its allies.
South Responds
The launch on Saturday, according to South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, “obviously” indicates the North’s intention to carry out further provocations.
Speaking on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference Park said , North Korea could develop and use tactical nuclear missiles if it performs its seventh nuclear test, which will be a game changer.
