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The United States, South Korea, and Japan have conducted a joint air drill with a US bomber in response to North Korea’s recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Let’s bring you up to speed: Earlier in the week, North Korea test-fired the newly developed Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), marking its first ICBM launch in nearly a year and setting new records for altitude and flight duration. The missile can reach the US mainland, a notable advancement in North Korea’s long-range strike capabilities.

North Korea Launches Icbm

North Korean state media released images of the Hwasong-19, although experts noted its large size could limit its practical use in warfare. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un framed the launch as a necessary military response to perceived ‘external threats.’

What’s going on now: In response to North Korea’s ICBM test, the United States, South Korea, and Japan conducted a coordinated air drill on November 3, deploying a US B-1B bomber alongside South Korea’s F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets and Japan’s F-2 jets. The exercise took place over the Korean Peninsula and was intended to showcase the unified stance of these allies against North Korea’s advancing missile capabilities.

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In a statement, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “The exercise demonstrates the commitment of the ROK-US alliance to integrated extended deterrence in response to the advancing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.”

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