On Sunday, the US Air Force deployed B-1B strategic bombers on the Korean Peninsula with escort assistance from F-35As, F-15Ks, and F-16s from the South Korean and US Air Forces, according to South Korea’s Defense Ministry. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense US Air Force B-1B bombers and F-35A and F-16 fighter jets from South Korea and US take part in a joint air drill on February 19, 2023. Kim said North Korea now has “satisfactory technology and capabilities” for missile reentry and all that remains is “to focus on increasing the number of forces.” Referring to the US, Kim said “fanatics who raise tensions will pay the price,” according to KCNA. Monday’s statement from Kim Yo Jong suggested North Korea was primed for further launches, saying if Pyongyang deems the presence of US forces in the region to be a threat, it will take “corresponding measures.” KCNA said the country fired two 600mm multi-rocket launcher (MRL) shots – South Korea considers multi-rocket launchers larger than 600 mm as ballistic missiles. North Korea acknowledged Monday’s launch, calling it a “super-large multiple rocket launcher exercise, which is a means of tactical nuclear attack.” The first missile flew about 400 kilometers (248 miles) at a maximum altitude of about 100 kilometers (62 miles), the ministry said in a statement, while the second was fired about 10 minutes later at a maximum altitude of around 50 kilometers (31 miles), flying about 350 kilometers (217 miles). local time and fell into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, “to the east of the Korean Peninsula, outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.” Japan’s Defense Ministry estimated both missiles were fired Monday at around 7:00 a.m. North Korea had warned Friday of “unprecedented strong responses” to those drills if they go ahead. The allies are also expected to hold military drills next month in the Korean Peninsula. The US responded to that launch by holding separate drills with South Korea and Japan on Sunday, a move North Korea viewed as a provocation, on top of planned nuclear tabletop drills between the US and South Korea at the Pentagon this week. Monday’s missile tests were the second in three days – Pyongyang launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Saturday, its third such test in less than a year. Kim Yo Jong, one of the country’s top officials, said “the frequency of using the Pacific Ocean as our shooting range depends on the nature of the US military’s actions,” according to a statement posted on the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). North Korea launched two ballistic missiles into waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula early Monday, and leader Kim Jong Un’s sister warned of more to come unless the United States halts military drills with South Korea.
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