In a significant display of military might, the United States deployed long-range B-1B bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday, coinciding with North Korea’s observance of the 113th birthday of state founder Kim Il Sung. This move comes just days after Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, declared that the North would steadfastly resist any US-led efforts to dismantle its nuclear program.
The US bombers participated in a joint aerial drill with South Korean F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, aimed at enhancing the allies’ operational capabilities and showcasing their deterrence against North Korea’s advancing nuclear ambitions. South Korea’s Defense Ministry emphasized the importance of these joint exercises in responding to perceived threats from the North.
This exercise marks the second time a B-1B bomber has been involved in drills with South Korea since President Donald Trump began his second term in January. In February, North Korea’s Defense Ministry condemned a prior B-1B flyover, labeling it a sign of escalating US provocations and pledging to counter the threat with strategic measures. Shortly after, North Korea test-fired cruise missiles to demonstrate its nuclear counterattack capabilities.
Despite Trump’s ongoing offers to engage diplomatically with Kim Jong Un, North Korea has not responded directly to these overtures. Last week, Kim Yo Jong criticized the US and its allies, dismissing their aspirations for North Korean denuclearization as mere “daydreams.” Her remarks followed a meeting of top diplomats from the US, South Korea, and Japan, who reaffirmed their commitment to pushing for the North’s denuclearization.
The birthday of Kim Il Sung, known as “the Day of Sun,” is a major holiday in North Korea, celebrated with a cult of personality surrounding the ruling Kim family. On this day, the state-sponsored media urged citizens to unite behind Kim Jong Un for national prosperity, while various commemorative events have taken place across the country to honor the founder’s legacy. With tensions running high, the latest US military maneuvers could provoke an even stronger response from Pyongyang.
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