U.S. B-1 Bombers Conduct Show of Force Against North Korea

What Happened?

This weekend, the U.S. Air Force flew B-1 bombers as part of a show of force against North Korea. South Korea's Defense Ministry issued a statement, that the U.S. bombers participating in a South Korea-U.S. aerial drill were meant to strengthen the allies' combined operational capability and demonstrate their deterrence capability against North Korea's advancing nuclear program.

The flights marked the second time U.S. B-1 bombers had participated in a drill with South Korea since President Trump began his second term in January.  A North Korean spokesman accused the United States and South Korea of trying to provoke North Korea.

Why it Matters

Both the United States and South Korea have stated they will continue conducting joint exercises in response to North Korea’s nuclear threats. This weekend’s exercises came after a statement by Kim Jong-Un’s sister that North Korea would never give up its nuclear weapons. Her statement was in response to a high-level diplomatic meeting between South Korea, Japan, and the United States which took place recently. 

The U.S. and South Korea’s exercises may have been particularly irritating to North Korea due to timing, as they took place on Kim Il Sung’s birthday. Which is called ‘the Day of Sun,’ and one of the most important holidays in North Korea. Kim Il Sung is the founder of modern North Korea and is treated as a near deity by the current North Korean regime.

North Korea has been providing extensive arms and ammunition to Russia by rail and ship for use in the current war in Ukraine. The quantities of materials sent are so large it would not be an exaggeration to say Russia could probably not continue the fight in Ukraine for very long without North Korean supplies. 

President Trump has promised to reach out to Kim Jong-Un to revive diplomacy, but North Korea’s continued support to Russia may be a sticking point. Since Mr. Trump has repeatedly called for an end to the war in Russia. The new Russian-North Korean arms deal could strain relations for both countries with the Trump Administration. 

Since the most recent exercises took place on Kim Il Sung’s birthday, increasingly over the top rhetoric by North Korea or further missile tests are possible responses in the near future. Joint exercises by South Korea and the United States, along with increased military activity by North Korea could trigger an incident. However, all sides have been engaged in this type of behavior for some time so the threat of a new round of major hostilities is fairly low.

How it Affects You

North Korea poses a unique challenge to the Trump Administration because it helps China evade economic sanctions while providing Russia with arms to continue the war in Ukraine. Both of which are working against the policies of President Trump.