Following North Korea’s Launch of an ICBM, U.S. and Its Asian Allies Stage Joint Air Exercises

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SEOUL — The United States held joint air exercises bilaterally with South Korea and Japan involving strategic bombers on Sunday, a day after North Korea fired a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a “sudden launching drill.”

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that the exercise saw South Korea’s F-35A and F-15K fighters, as well as American F-16 fighters, escorting American B-1B bombers. This demonstrated the allies’ solidarity. “overwhelming” The readiness and defense capabilities

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“(The exercise) strengthened the combined operation capability and affirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the Korean Peninsula and the implementation of extended deterrence,” The South’s military issued a statement.

Japan flew F-15s with the U.S. Armed Forces’ B-1 Bombers and F-16s over the Sea of Japan, Japan’s Defense Ministry announced in a statement. This was to demonstrate the security environment. “increasingly severe” The latest North Korea missile was detected in its Exclusive Economic Area (EEZ).

“This bilateral exercise reaffirms the strong will between Japan and the United States to respond to any situation, the readiness of (Japan’s Self Defense Forces) and U.S. Armed Forces, and further strengthens the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance,” The ministry stated.

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After North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile with a long range into the sea, Japan’s west coast, the United States warned that it would respond strongly to any upcoming military drills.

North Korea’s state media KCNA claimed that the country conducted a “sudden launching drill” Saturday, “actual proof” it’s been doing to make the “capacity of fatal nuclear counterattack on the hostile forces into an irresistible one.”

Kim Yo Jong Un’s sister and leader Kim Jong Un, warned again. She accused the United States, accusing them of trying to make the U.N. Security Council something she called a “sanctuary council”. “tool for its heinous hostile policy” toward 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,” She made the statement in a statement.

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After Pyongyang’s threat on Friday, Saturday’s North missile launch was the first since Jan. 1. “unprecedentedly persistent, strong” As part of their efforts to counter the North’s growing nuclear and missile threats, South Korea and the United States prepared for their annual military drills.

According to North Korea’s state media, the missile flew for approximately 1 hour, 6 mins and 55 seconds at 5,768 km (3.584 miles). After hitting a predetermined area of 989 km (614 mile) in open waters, it was able to land. In 2017, the Hwasong-15 was first tested.

‘WITHOUT WARNING’

Last year, nuclear-armed North Korea fired unprecedented numbers of missiles including ICBMs capable to strike anywhere in the United States. It also resumed preparations for its nuclear test, which will be held on April 12.

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Park Jin, South Korean Foreign Ministry, announced Saturday’s launch “clearly” This signalizes that the North intends to launch more provocations.

“If North Korea conducts the seventh nuclear test, which could happen at any time, it will be a game changer in a sense that North Korea could develop and deploy tactical nuclear missiles,” Park spoke at the Munich Security Conference Saturday.

KCNA stated that the North’s most recent launch, which was guided by the Missile General Bureau (MGB), took place on an “emergency firepower combat standby order” At dawn, the missile was detected by South Korea’s military. A written order from Kim Jong Un followed at 8 AM (2300 GMT) on Friday. The missile was detected by South Korea’s military at 5:22 PM (0822 GMT).

“The important bit here is that the exercise was ordered day-of, without warning to the crew involved,” said Ankit Panda, a missile expert at the Washington–based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “The amount of time between the order and the launch is likely going to be decreased with additional testing.”

Analysts predict that North Korea will likely conduct more weapons testing, including the test of a new solid fuel missile that could allow the North to deploy its missiles quickly in case of war.

U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, but Pyongyang insists that its weapons development is essential to counter this. “hostile policies” Washington and its allies. Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi, Josh Smith in Seoul, Chang-Ran Moon in Tokyo; Editing By Jonathan Oatis. Daniel Wallis. William Mallard. Hugh Lawson.