The South Korean military stated that on Wednesday (June 5th), the United States deployed a long-range B-1B bomber to fly over the Korean Peninsula, conducting the first precision-guided bombing exercise with South Korea in seven years.
This exercise is seen as a show of military deterrence against North Korea. Recently, North Korea has been escalating tensions by launching garbage balloons towards South Korea and engaging in other forms of provocations.
In addition to the strategic bomber B-1B capable of carrying a large amount of conventional weapons, Wednesday’s training also involved other advanced fighter jets from the United States and South Korea. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense stated that the purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to South Korea’s security and enhance the joint defense posture of the allies.
During the training, the B-1B aircraft dropped Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) containing bunker-buster bombs, escorted by South Korean fighter jets, to demonstrate its precision strike capability. This marks the first time since 2017 that U.S. bombers have engaged in such bombing exercises.
JDAM is a guidance system that converts unguided conventional bombs into more precise GPS-guided weapons. All U.S. fighter jets, bombers, and drones can use JDAM, which is also one of the weapon systems the U.S. has been providing to Ukraine to help combat Russia’s invasion.
North Korea is particularly sensitive to exercises involving “bunker buster” bombs, as they could pose a threat to its leadership and complex underground military tunnel and structure networks.
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense did not specify the exact location of the training flights. South Korean F-15K fighter jets flew alongside the B-1B, conducting live-fire exercises during the drills, with U.S. and South Korean stealth F-35 and F-16 fighter jets also taking part in the exercise.
According to reports, South Korean fighter jets also conducted live-fire exercises to demonstrate readiness to respond to North Korean provocations.
Over the past week, North Korea launched hundreds of large balloons filled with feces, cigarette butts, scraps of cloth, and used batteries into various parts of South Korea. South Korea deemed this behavior unacceptable provocation, leading to the suspension of the military agreement signed by both sides in 2018.
North Korea had previously stated that it was no longer bound by the agreement. Following the agreement’s suspension, South Korea can resume live-fire drills and other military activities.
Recently, North Korea violated UN resolutions by launching a rocket in an attempt to place a second spy satellite into orbit, which exploded shortly after liftoff. North Korea also conducted simulated preemptive strikes against South Korea, test-firing nuclear weapons, reportedly interfering with South Korea’s GPS navigation signals.
Since 2022, North Korea has significantly accelerated its missile testing pace, with foreign experts suggesting this is aimed at bolstering its nuclear arsenal to strengthen its bargaining power in future denuclearization negotiations with the United States. Denuclearization talks have been dormant since 2019.
According to Reuters, a South Korean government source mentioned on Wednesday that the South Korean Navy’s Marine Corps plans to conduct live-fire exercises using K-9 self-propelled howitzers on a remote island off the disputed western coast near North Korea.
In the past, deadly conflicts have occurred between the artillery units and naval vessels of South Korea and North Korea along the sensitive maritime border.
In response to North Korea’s weapon tests, including ballistic missile launches and tactical weapons firing, the South Korean and U.S. military have intensified their training exercises.
(Adapted from reporting by The Associated Press)