South Korea, the United States and Japan began joint air drills on Wednesday following missile attacks by North Korea, Korean media reported.
A US B-1B bomber took part in the drills. On the South Korean side, F-15 fighter jets and F-2 fighter jets participated in the exercise, while on the Japanese side. This is the first such exercise in 2025.
North Korea has launched several suspected short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, according to the South Korean military.
South Korea’s military said it detected the launch at around 9.30 a.m. local time (0030GMT) from the Kanggye area in the northern province of Jagan. The Republic of Korea’s Defence Ministry said.
“The exercise is intended to improve joint capabilities to deter and respond to Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile threats.”
Tuesday’s launch was the second this year, after North Korea tested an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile on January 6 to “counter security threats.”
