US, South Korea conduct simulated bombing of North Korean targets

On October 31, South Korean and US fighter jets conducted simulated bombing runs on North Korean targets as a demonstration of military strength, following North Korea’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear strike on the US mainland.

Approximately 110 aircraft participated in the joint exercises, targeting mock-ups of North Korean ballistic missile launchers, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

These exercises occurred just hours after North Korea launched its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the most powerful to date. Kim Jong-un, the country’s supreme leader, asserted that the test would help to “round off” its nuclear deterrent amid escalating tensions between North and South, the deployment of Kim’s troops to Russia, and the upcoming US presidential election.

Similar to previous tests, the missile was launched at a steep angle, allowing it to rise well beyond Earth’s atmosphere before falling into the sea between Japan and Russia, approximately 1,000 km from its launch point. It reached a maximum altitude of 7,000 km, which is 17 times higher than the International Space Station, setting a new record for North Korean rockets.

The missile was airborne for 86 minutes, exceeding the 74 minutes of the last test conducted ten months ago, indicating a notable improvement in North Korea's solid fuel technology. If fired on a conventional trajectory rather than the test path, the missile could potentially hit cities on the US mainland, though its precision and ability to carry a nuclear warhead remain unclear. 

In Washington, Sean Savett, a spokesperson for the White House national security council, criticized the launch as “a blatant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.” Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, described the missile launch as “an act of aggression that heightens tensions with the international community.” 

He noted, “North Korea has repeatedly shown its intent to enhance its nuclear and missile capabilities, and there is a possibility of further provocations in the future, including missile launches and nuclear tests.” 

On October 30, South Korea cautioned that Pyongyang might engage in provocative actions in light of the upcoming US elections, as it has done previously. Kim may believe that escalating tensions could favour Donald Trump, who had met with him three times in an unsuccessful effort to promote disarmament and might take a more lenient approach compared to Kamala Harris. During the Republican National Convention in July, Trump asserted that he would utilize his personal connection with Kim if he were re-elected. 

By Naila Huseynova