South Korea, US launch air drills despite North Korean threats

The United States and South Korea on Monday commenced a massive joint aerial drill, despite threats from North Korea and pleas from Russia and China to call them off.

The exercise, known as “Vigilant Ace,” began Monday and will run through Friday. It includes F-22 stealth fighters and F-35 aircraft.

Roughly 12,000 U.S. personnel from the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, along with 230 aircraft, will participate in the drill. 

{mosads}China and Russia had proposed that the U.S. and South Korea cease conducting military exercises in exchange for North Korea halting its weapons programs, Reuters reported.

South Korea’s defense ministry said the drill was aimed at improving the two nations’ wartime capabilities, according to the AP.

North Korea responded to the drill, saying it is a sign the U.S. is “begging” for war. 

The exercise comes after Pyongyang launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile last week, ending a two-month hiatus for missile launches from the country. 

The missile is said to have traveled nearly 2,800 miles high and for a distance of more than 600 miles. North Korea claimed the missile, called a Hwasong-15, is capable of reaching the entire U.S. mainland.

President Trump responded by saying his administration “will handle” North Korea, and announced new sanctions.