South Korea and the U.S. Significantly Strengthen Joint Exercises in Preparation for ICBM Launches

The United States' key strategic weapon, the B-52 long-range bomber, is conducting operations over the Korean Peninsula on the 10th, four days after North Korea's 4th nuclear test on the 6th. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] North Korea launched an unidentified projectile on the morning of the 16th, but it failed. At the moment of launch, the projectile did not soar into the sky, so it is unclear whether it was a ballistic missile, but the intention to continue provocations was clearly expressed.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said on the same day, "North Korea launched from the Pyongyang Sunan area at 9:30 a.m., but it is presumed to have failed immediately after launch, and South Korea and the U.S. are conducting additional analysis."

North Korea conducted two ballistic missile test launches using the first-stage propulsion unit of the new ICBM ‘Hwasong-17’ at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport on the 27th of last month and the 5th of this month. At that time, South Korean and U.S. military authorities judged it as a performance evaluation to prepare for a maximum range test launch of the ‘Hwasong-17’.

South Korean and U.S. military authorities have decided to significantly strengthen joint exercises if North Korea launches an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Since North Korea’s ICBM launch means breaking the moratorium on ‘nuclear tests and ICBM launches,’ they have brought up strengthening military training as a countermeasure.

South Korea and the U.S. plan to resume the ‘Blue Lightning’ exercise involving U.S. strategic bombers if North Korea carries out an ICBM provocation. The U.S. planned this exercise with South Korea in May 2018 but canceled it due to South Korea’s concerns that it could raise tensions ahead of the North Korea-U.S. summit.

If the exercise resumes, B-52H long-range bombers or B-1B strategic bombers stationed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, Pacific Ocean, will be deployed to the Korean Peninsula. During this process, South Korean Air Force fighters will escort the bombers. The B-52H is one of the three major nuclear forces of the U.S., along with ICBMs and strategic nuclear-powered submarines (SSBNs), and can carry cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The United States Forces Korea Special Operations Command (SOCKOR) will also strengthen the ‘Teak Knife’ training together with the South Korean military. SOCKOR is known as the unit that carried out the ‘decapitation operation’ that killed international terrorist Osama bin Laden in May 2011. The South Korean and U.S. militaries have regularly conducted ‘Teak Knife’ training since the 1990s.

U.S. military authorities are sending warning messages in response to North Korea’s movements. When signs of an imminent North Korean ICBM launch appeared, the Indo-Pacific Fleet recently released photos of the stealth fighter F-35C taking off from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, and the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the U.S. Forces Korea also publicized Patriot surface-to-air missile training. The South Korean military has also moved the Army Missile Command to the Gangneung area in Gangwon Province and is preparing for ballistic missile launches.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.