US, South Korea Hold Large Exercise Following North's Launches
2022-06-08
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1South Korea and the United States held an air power exercise involving 20 fighter planes Tuesday.
2The allies' latest demonstration of military strength comes as North Korea is showing signs it may soon test nuclear weapons.
3The training was held in the sea off South Korea's western coast.
4South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said it was an answer to North Korea's launch of eight ballistic missiles Sunday.
5Pictures released by South Korea's military showed the airplanes flying in a small, triangular formation.
6The exercise involved 16 South Korean fighter planes - including the F-35A, F-15K, and KF-16 - and four F-16 fighters from the U.S. Air Force, said South Korean officials.
7South Korea and the U.S. showed "its strong ability and willingness to strike against North Korea's provocations quickly and accurately," the South Korean military said.
8The two countries are watching for further actions by North Korea, it added.
9North Korea on Sunday fired eight short-range ballistic missiles into the sea over a 35-minute period, South Korea's military said.
10It was North Korea's 18th round of missile launches this year.
11On Monday, the United States and South Korea answered by launching eight missiles of their own into the ocean.
12South Korea's new conservative president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has promised to answer quickly and firmly to what he calls North Korean provocations.
13During a meeting last month, Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed holding larger joint military exercises.
14There had been fewer exercises under the previous South Korean government.
15There are also signs that North Korea could soon carry out its seventh nuclear test.
16Another nuclear test could further raise tensions in the area.
17Rafael Mariano Grossi is head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
18He said Monday that one of the tunnel entrances has been opened at North Korea's nuclear test site.
19That may be in preparation for a nuclear test, Grossi said.
20Such a test, he said "would contravene U.N. Security Council resolutions and would be a cause for serious concern."
21North Korea is in the middle of one of its busiest years ever for weapons tests.
22It is attempting to make progress on a weapons development wish list created by leader Kim Jong Un in 2021.
23I'm Dan Novak.
1South Korea and the United States held an air power exercise involving 20 fighter planes Tuesday. The allies' latest demonstration of military strength comes as North Korea is showing signs it may soon test nuclear weapons. 2The training was held in the sea off South Korea's western coast. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said it was an answer to North Korea's launch of eight ballistic missiles Sunday. 3Pictures released by South Korea's military showed the airplanes flying in a small, triangular formation. The exercise involved 16 South Korean fighter planes - including the F-35A, F-15K, and KF-16 - and four F-16 fighters from the U.S. Air Force, said South Korean officials. 4South Korea and the U.S. showed "its strong ability and willingness to strike against North Korea's provocations quickly and accurately," the South Korean military said. The two countries are watching for further actions by North Korea, it added. 5North Korea on Sunday fired eight short-range ballistic missiles into the sea over a 35-minute period, South Korea's military said. It was North Korea's 18th round of missile launches this year. 6On Monday, the United States and South Korea answered by launching eight missiles of their own into the ocean. 7South Korea's new conservative president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has promised to answer quickly and firmly to what he calls North Korean provocations. 8During a meeting last month, Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed holding larger joint military exercises. There had been fewer exercises under the previous South Korean government. 9There are also signs that North Korea could soon carry out its seventh nuclear test. Another nuclear test could further raise tensions in the area. 10Rafael Mariano Grossi is head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. He said Monday that one of the tunnel entrances has been opened at North Korea's nuclear test site. That may be in preparation for a nuclear test, Grossi said. 11Such a test, he said "would contravene U.N. Security Council resolutions and would be a cause for serious concern." 12North Korea is in the middle of one of its busiest years ever for weapons tests. It is attempting to make progress on a weapons development wish list created by leader Kim Jong Un in 2021. 13I'm Dan Novak. 14Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by William Gallo of Voice of America. 15____________________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17provocation - n. an action or occurrence that causes someone to become angry or to begin to do something 18contravene - n. to fail to do what is required by law