S. Korea, US abruptly resume joint air exercises that had been suspended in 2019
S. Korea, US abruptly resume joint air exercises that had been suspended in 2019
Posted on : Apr.24,2020 17:45 KST Modified on : Apr.24,2020 17:45 KST
By Park Byong-su, senior staff writer Hankyoreh
South Korea and the US abruptly went ahead with joint air exercises that had been postponed in 2019.
On Apr. 23, a South Korean military official said the South Korean and US Air Forces have been conducting joint air exercises at the squadron level since Apr. 20, adding that the exercises were scheduled to take place through Apr. 24. The unannounced execution of the exercises after they had been temporarily suspended last year to establish a favorable climate for North Korea-US denuclearization negotiations is seen as likely to be meant as a warning message in response to North Koreas recent string of missile launches.
The aircraft participating in the exercises reportedly include F-15K and KF-16 fighters from the South Korean Air Force and F-16 fighters from the US Air Force. Sources explained that the recently acquired F-35A stealth aircraft was not included because its qualification trials have not been completed, adding that it had not been integrated with other overseas US forces either.
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