Nuclear-capable Bombers Sent by US as Tensions Rise with N Korea
Amidst growing fears that North Korea may conduct a nuclear test, the United States has deployed nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to the Korean Peninsula as a show of force against the rogue state.
In response to the mounting fears of a potential nuclear test by North Korea, the United States dispatched nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to the Korean Peninsula to demonstrate their military strength. The joint aerial exercises involved the participation of U.S. and South Korean fighter jets and were conducted by the bombers in a show of force against North Korea. According to S Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, this deployment marks the first B-52 bombers dispatched to the Peninsula in the past month.
According to a statement by Lieutenant General Park Ha-sik, commanders of the South Korean Air Force operation command, the joint aerial drills involving the U.S. and South Korean alliance to respond quickly and decisively to any aggression by North Korea. The South Korean and U.S. armed forces have been enhancing their joint military exercises in reaction to the nuclear and missile threats posed by North Korea.
In recent weeks, the United States and South Korea have been ramping up their military activities in response to N Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. This included their largest joint military exercises in five years, command post-training simulations, and various naval and anti-submarine drills with Japan. The increased military cooperation between the allies serves as a reminder of their tireless commitment to regional security and stability.
North Korea warns of retaliation after the U.S. sends nuclear-capable bombers to Korean Peninsula
North Korea views military exercises as provocations by its rivals that signal their intention to attack. Following the last deployment of B-52 bombers to the Peninsula on March 6, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of N Korean leader Kim Jong Un, cautioned that her country was prepared to take swift and overpowering action against the United States and South Korea.
North Korea has conducted several tests and launches of its nuclear-capable weapons to target both South Korea and the United States. These weapons include the Hwasong-17, the North’s intercontinental ballistic missile with the longest range, an underwater drone with nuclear capabilities still being developed, and submarine-launched cruise missiles.
Miniaturized Warhead
Speculation arose last week when North Korea introduced a new battlefield nuclear warhead intended for short-range weapons aimed at South Korea, leading to concerns that it may be preparing to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017, as its prior two nuclear tests were conducted after the introduction of new warheads if a test were carried out, it would mark the seventh nuclear weapons test conducted by the North.
The existence of operational nuclear-armed missiles in North Korea is a contentious topic among experts. Suppose North Korea were to conduct another nuclear test. In that case, it is speculated that it would likely be to test a miniaturized warhead designed to fit on weapons that could potentially strike key military installations in South Korea, including the U.S. military bases. Despite this, whether North Korea possesses functional nuclear-armed missiles is still unclear.
US Launched Nuclear-capable Bombers to Combat N Korea Source: Web
Kim Jong Un has clarified that North Korea will not resume talks with the U.S. on denuclearisation unless the U.S. drops its hostile policies towards the country, including military drills with South Korea and economic sanctions. According to many specialists, Kim’s objective is to utilize North Korea’s increasing arsenal as a bargaining chip to coerce Washington into recognizing its nuclear capabilities and removing the economic sanctions.
Trilateral Meeting in Seoul to Discuss North Korea’s Recent Weapons Tests
During a policy meeting on Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized the importance of security cooperation among Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear threats and other challenges. He also stressed the need for South Korea to strengthen its missile defense and ability to carry out preemptive and retaliatory attacks. According to Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the chief nuclear envoys of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan will hold a trilateral meeting on Friday in Seoul to discuss how to respond to North Korea’s recent weapons tests.
