North Korea is threatening unspecified retaliation after U.S. strategic bombers flew over South Korea in what North Korea says could be an exercise aimed at preparing for an attack.
The American pilots were participating in the training mission alongside their South Korean counterparts, and South Korea's Defense Ministry stressed that it was done to demonstrate the allies' deterrent power as North Korea ramps up its nuclear program.
The United States and South Korea regularly conduct joint military exercises, which they classify as defensive.
North Korea views the exercises as an invasion rehearsal and is particularly sensitive to the deployment of U.S. strategic forces such as long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines.
A North Korean defense ministry spokesman said in a statement carried by state media on Wednesday: “The recent military actions by the U.S. and the ROK (South Korea) pose a clear threat to our national security and a serious provocation that has escalated military tensions in the region to a critically dangerous level.”
The statement also stressed that North Korea “will use strong force to restrain the aggressive initiatives of the United States” in an attempt to “permanently eliminate elements of malignant instability” in the region's security.
North Korea frequently conducts test launches in response to U.S. military exercises using B-1B bombers, which can carry significant amounts of conventional weapons.
In a development that could further inflame North Korea, South Korea's air force announced it would begin large-scale biennial air exercises with U.S. troops on Thursday.
The two-week Flag of Freedom exercise will involve 90 aircraft and other air assets from allied countries.
Tensions are rising on the Korean Peninsula as North Korea continues to conduct weapons tests to modernize its nuclear arsenal.
North Korea has also expressed support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is supplying weapons and forces to participate in the military action.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized his ties to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un since his inauguration in January and expressed a desire to renew diplomatic relations with the Asian country.
On March 31, Trump described Kim as a “very smart man” and North Korea as a “major nuclear power.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
