U.S. Strategic Bombers Fly Near North Korean Coast

U.S. Air Force B-1B strategic bombers have flown in international airspace near the eastern coast of North Korea. Shortly after this news was announced, North Korean Foreign Minister stated that Donald Trump's remarks make 'the visit of our missiles to U.S. soil inevitable.' The U.S. Department of Defense, which announced the flight of its strategic bombers on October 1, stated that this flight occurred at the furthest point north of the military demarcation zone between the two Koreas in the 21st century. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated with warnings and threats since Pyongyang conducted intercontinental ballistic missile tests and its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. An hour after the announcement of the B-1B flight, the North Korean Foreign Minister reacted to Trump's latest comments regarding Pyongyang in a speech at the United Nations, describing it as a 'mission for suicide.' Recently, Trump referred to Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, as 'crazy' and 'rocket man,' and stated in his UN speech that if Pyongyang does not cease its nuclear activities, 'we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea.' Following this, the North Korean leader, in a direct and personal response—a method not commonly seen in Pyongyang's leadership—said, 'I will surely tame the mentally deranged U.S. president with fire.' Similar statements were made in the speech of Ri Yong-ho, North Korea's foreign minister, who said Trump's remarks have made 'the visit of North Korean missiles to all of U.S. territory more inevitable.' Before the North Korean foreign minister's speech, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense stated that the country is prepared to use 'full military capabilities' to defend its territory. Dana White stated that the recent exercise is 'a demonstration of U.S. resolve and a clear message that the president has many military options to counter any threat.' The Pentagon announced that the B-1Bs flying near North Korean airspace were dispatched from Guam. U.S. F-15C fighter jets were also sent on a mission from Okinawa, in southern Japan, to protect the bombers. The B-1 bomber is a supersonic aircraft and, alongside the B-2 and B-52, is one of three strategic bombers in the U.S. Air Force. Although their exercises in South Korean airspace are not new, it seems that the recent flight occurred at a point much further north than the demarcation line in previous years. In this context, Trump signed an order to intensify sanctions against North Korea. Kim Jong-un stated that Trump will pay a heavy price for threatening North Korea. The North Korean foreign minister announced the possibility of testing a hydrogen bomb.