Key Takeaways:
– U.S. conducts trilateral aerial training with South Korea and Japan after North Korea’s Hwasong-19 ICBM test.
– The U.S. response involved long-range B-1B bombers and F-16 fighter jets.
– Joint exercise marks the second trilateral drill conducted by these countries in the year 2024.
– North Korea’s recent missile test marked their first ICBM launch in nearly a year.
– Despite progress in North Korea’s missile program, experts suggest there are technical issues that need resolving.
Response to North Korea’s New Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
In response to North Korea’s recent test-firing of a new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) – the Hwasong-19, the United States joined forces with South Korea and Japan in a trilateral defensive demonstration on Sunday. This show of unity, involving the U.S. flyover of a B-1B bomber over the Korean Peninsula, reasserts their collective resolve.
The Hwasong-19’s launch last Thursday marked North Korea’s first missile test in nearly a year. Despite this shocking development, experts suggest North Korea still has hurdles to overcome in their missile program.
North Korea’s Missile Testing and U.S. Response
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, supervised the missile launch. Calling it an “adequate military action”, Kim confirmed the missile test was in response to perceived threats to North Korean security. This missile claimed a higher altitude and longer air time than any other launched by North Korea.
In answer to this, the U.S. sent the B-1B bomber to participate in a training exercise with South Korean and Japanese fighter jets. This collaborative response was designed to exemplify these powers’ readiness to address North Korea’s escalating nuclear and missile programs, as stated by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
US Air Force Ramps Up Presence off Korean Peninsula
Several high-power U.S. military assets, such as long-range bombers, aircraft carriers, and nuclear-powered submarines, are frequently deployed in and around the Peninsula following significant missile tests by North. Despite critical backlash from North Korea, such actions signify the U.S.’s ongoing commitment to its allies in the region and serve as a dissuading strategy against further missile tests.
The B-1B bomber, which can carry a substantial conventional weapons payload, has been flown over or near the Korean Peninsula four times this year, marking increased U.S. military presence in the region.
Decoding North Korea’s Hwasong-19 Test
Despite technological progress evidenced by Thursday’s Hwasong-19 test, many experts question North Korea’s true missile capabilities. They argue the Hwasong-19 missile appears too large for practical use in warfare.
North Korea’s recent missile test could be an attempt to draw international attention, particularly that of the U.S., on the eve of the U.S. presidential elections. The test also follows international outcry against North Korea’s alleged deployment of military assistance to Russia amid its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Previous to Thursday’s test, North Korea’s last ICBM test launch was the solid-fueled Hwasong-18 in December 2023. Regardless of North Korea’s needs to fine-tune their missile technology, their continued nuclear advancementsin combination with their history of unpredictable behavior, underline the urgency for a united front of nations committed to maintaining regional and global security. The trilateral exercise by the U.S, South Korea, and Japan stands as a testament to this unity.