U.S. flies bombers over South Korea in show of force

The U.S. on Tuesday flew two nuclear-capable long-range bombers over South Korea in a show of military strength in response to North Korea’s most recent nuclear test, U.S Forces Korea (USFK) said.

The supersonic B-1 bombers, deployed from the U.S. Andersen Air Base on the Pacific island of Guam, made a low level flight through South Korean airspace.

The bombers were accompanied by U.S. and South Korean fighter jets, a USFK spokesman said.

“Today’s demonstration provides just one example of the full range of military capabilities in the deep resources of this strong alliance to provide and strengthen extended deterrence,” USFK Commander- General, Vincent Brooks, said.

“The Alliance military forces remain ready to meet mutual defence obligations against threats to the security of the Korean Peninsula and the region,” Brooks added.

South Korean intelligence officials reportedly said Monday that North Korea was ready to conduct another nuclear test, days after Pyongyang carried out its fifth and possibly most powerful test to date.

“North Korea’s nuclear test is a dangerous escalation and poses an unacceptable threat,” Brooks said.

The UN Security Council has condemned North Korea’s latest nuclear test, which was carried out in defiance of UN resolutions, and vowed to take “further significant measures”.

(dpa/NAN)