Air Force Conducts Drills in Response to North Korean Aerial Threats

SEOUL: The Air Force conducted extensive drills on Friday to prepare for a large-scale aerial attack, as part of efforts to enhance readiness against evolving threats from North Korea. The exercises involved approximately 70 warplanes, including F-35A stealth fighters, and various air defense systems, simulating an incursion of around 800 North Korean aerial targets. According to Yonhap News Agency, the drills commenced under a scenario requiring fighter jets to intercept enemy aircraft, while air defense systems, including the domestically developed Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system, focused on neutralizing enemy ballistic and cruise missiles. The exercises were carried out without live ammunition due to safety considerations. The drills also concentrated on training pilots to intercept cruise missiles and target enemy ballistic missile launch sites. These maneuvers come in response to North Korea's continued advancement of its missile programs, underscored by 16 missile launches this year.