OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AP) – The United States on Tuesday sent two nuclear-capable supersonic bombers streaking over ally South Korea in a show of force meant to cow North Korea after its recent nuclear test, and also to settle rattled nerves in the South.
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North Korea mocked a US show of force as bluster, calling flights by bombers near its border reckless “bluffing”.
Nuclear expert Siegfried Hecker wrote on the North Korea-focused USA website 38 North that Pyongyang has a stockpile of fissile material sufficient to make some 20 nuclear bombs by the end of this year and could add approximately sever per year.
It said Washington was putting the blame on other countries for North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests which Pyongyang has claimed were in response to United States “hostility”.
Following the nuclear test by Pyongyang, the UN Security Council issued a harsh statement condemning the act, and began preparations to draw up a new resolution to punish North Korea and force it to abandon its development of nuclear weapons.
Six party talks between the US, Russia, South Korea, China and North Korea on ending the North’s nuclear programme have been stalled since 2008.
The two bombers conducted a low-altitude flight over an air base located some 77km (48 miles) from the border between the two Koreas. After North Korea’s fourth nuclear test in January, a Guam-based B-52 made the flight.
China has raised concerns about the US missile defense system and has blamed the United States for pressuring China to take responsibility for North Korean belligerence. Due to their 5th and most powerful nuclear test so far, according to expert estimates, it appears that the North has enough nuclear material for tests, and therefore current production capacity of the nuclear material allows future nuclear tests.
The U.S. has about 28,500 servicemembers stationed in South Korea.
Instead, Seoul relies on the U.S.
A USA intelligence official said North Korea is the only country in the world that threatens others with a nuclear attack, and that Pyongyang shows no signs of backing off its nuclear program.
The North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) blasted the exercise as a “military provocation” revealing Washington’s intentions to mount a pre-emptive nuclear attack.
In his statement, the United States general also mentioned the deployment to South Korea of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD), which is created to shoot down short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles, just the type of weapons North Korea claims it has.
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Despite the latest attempt, North Korea has not taken a step back in terms of its nuclear program. “The Alliance military forces remain ready to meet mutual defense obligations against threats to the security of the Korean Peninsula and the region”, said Brook after a meeting with General Lee Sun-jin, chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
