SOUTH Korea and the United States flew warplanes over waters in the Korean peninsula today, in a fresh show of force following recent missile tests by North Korea.

Sixteen South Korean warplanes, including F-35 stealth fighters and four US F-16 jets, formed an attack squadron over the West Sea – also known as the Yellow Sea – to “respond to the enemy threat”, said Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff in a statement.

The allies “demonstrated their strong ability and will to strike accurately and quickly against any provocation from North Korea”, it added.

The air manoeuvres, which involved some 20 warplanes, comes a day after the allies fired eight ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan in the wake of the North’s weapons tests on Sunday.

Pyongyang fired eight short range ballistic missiles from four different locations in the space of 30 minutes – one of its largest-ever tests – on Sunday, said analysts.

The nuclear-armed country has carried out a blitz of sanctions-busting weapons tests this year, including firing an intercontinental ballistic missile at full range for the first time since 2017.

South Korean and US officials have been warning that Kim Jong-un’s regime is preparing to carry out a fresh nuclear test for weeks.

US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman, in Seoul on a three-day visit, warned that there will be a “forceful and swift” response were the North to go ahead with what will be its seventh such test.

“Any nuclear test will be in complete violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions,” she told reporters after meeting with her South Korean counterpart.

The entire world will respond in a “clear and strong manner”.

“We are prepared,” she added.

Sherman said the US is still willing to engage in dialogue with North Korea, adding that Washington “harbours no hostile intent towards” Pyongyang.

The air manoeuvres today are the third such joint show of force by the allies under South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who has vowed a tougher stance against his neighbour. – AFP, June 7, 2022.