South Korea, US To Start Combined Drills After North Korea Warns Preemptive Use of Nuclear Weapons if Threatened by Hostile Forces

According to known sources, South Korea and the United States intend to begin regular joint air force maneuvers next week in yet another step to showcase their security posture, particularly in light of North Korea's escalating missile threats.

The allies will begin the two-week Korea Flying Operation on Monday, the day before President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol takes office, promising to strengthen the Seoul-Washington security cooperation under his slogan of strategic patience.

South Korea, US Plan To Conduct Joint Air Drills

On the condition of anonymity, one source told Yonhap News Agency that the two air forces aim to start the two-week drill of the same size as previous training. The insider was tight-lipped about particular aviation assets that will be deployed.

The planned drill is a scaled-down version of the previous big-scale Max Thunder exercise, which saw the two nations mobilize their aviation assets and military men in enormous numbers.

The allies' Navies will also begin a four-day anti-submarine drill in the East Sea on Tuesday, according to authorities here. The Navies will mobilize several significant assets for the Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness and Evaluation Measurement (SHAREM) exercise, including the guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson, which landed here last week.

Following North Korea's missile launches, particularly the test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on March 24, South Korea and the US have lately increased their security coordination, according to Korea Times.

Kim Jong Un Sends Warning Against Hostile Forces

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated his vow to deploy nuclear weapons first if threatened while praising his top military officers for a spectacular military display in Pyongyang this week.

Kim Jong Un started his firm determination to continue developing his nuclear-armed forces to preemptively and thoroughly contain and frustrate all dangerous attempts and threatening moves, including ever-escalating nuclear threats from hostile forces, if necessary, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

As reported by KCNA, Kim Jong Un summoned his military officers to thank them for their efforts during Monday's display, which included the North's most powerful nuclear weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US heartland.

The North has also unveiled several shorter-range solid-fuel missiles that may be launched from land vehicles or submarines, posing an increasing danger to South Korea and Japan.

Kim's meeting with military brass was not announced by KCNA. The parade commemorating North Korea's army's 90th anniversary occurred as Kim resumed nuclear brinkmanship in an attempt to persuade the US to recognize his country as nuclear power and lift severe economic sanctions.

Kim promised to enhance his nuclear capabilities at the quickest feasible speed and warned to use them if provoked, speaking to thousands of troops and onlookers assembled for the parade, as per Daily Mail.

China Expresses Concern Over Rising North Korea's Tensions

China's Korean affairs ambassador expressed worry about the stressful situation on the Korean peninsula as he arrived in Seoul for talks this week, emphasizing that both the symptoms and core causes of tensions must be addressed. North Korea has launched a flurry of weapons tests this year, ranging from hypersonic missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles, amid delayed denuclearization negotiations (ICBMs).

Since 2017, North Korea has not performed an ICBM or nuclear weapons test. Officials in Seoul and Washington say there is evidence of a new nuclear test being planned. For a political settlement to be reached, Liu Xiaoming, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Korean Peninsula Affairs, told reporters at Seoul's airport late Sunday that all sides legitimate and reasonable concerns must be respected.

Liu will meet his South Korean counterpart, nuclear envoy Noh Kyu-duk, on Tuesday on his first visit to the country since taking office in April 2021. He may also meet with officials of South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who will take office on May 10, according to Yonhap.

More UN sanctions against North Korea have been advocated by the US. China and Russia, on the other hand, have expressed resistance, claiming that sanctions should be relaxed to restart talks and offer humanitarian aid to the impoverished North.

Politically, the concerns on the peninsula may be handled, and China will continue to play a constructive role, according to Liu. However, he continued saying that North Korea and the United States have the key to addressing the difficulties, Reuters via MSN reported.