Two U.S. B-1B "Lancer" bombers departed from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on the morning of September 13 and entered the airspace near the Osan Air Force Base of the U.S. Army in South Korea.
Yonhap News Agency reported that one of the B-1Bs flew over the Osan Air Base under the escort of four F-15K fighter jets of the South Korean Air Force, and the other B-1B was escorted by four F-16 fighter jets of the US Air Force. Osan Air Base is about 77 kilometers away from the Demilitarized Zone on the border between North and South Korea.
The B-1B "Lancer", along with the B-52 and B-2, are known as the three major strategic bombers in the United States and can carry up to 24 B-61 and B-83 nuclear bombs.
Yonhap News Agency stated that the United States dispatched B-1B Lance bombers to the peninsula on the fourth day after North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test. It was intended to send a strong warning to North Korea, demonstrate the firm will of South Korea and the United States to severely punish North Korea for further provocations, and confirm the defense commitment of using strategic weapons to protect South Korea in the event of an emergency.
The U.S. Pacific Command stated in a press briefing that after completing its mission over South Korea, the two bombers returned to Guam that day.
Vincent Brooks, commander of the South Korean-U.S. coalition forces, said that the United States will never tolerate North Korea's nuclear test and will implement military operations in stages to respond. Lee Soon-jin, chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that if North Korea carries out military provocation, the South Korean military will impose severe punishment that will cause the collapse of its system.
“Today's demonstration is just one example of the full range of military capabilities our strong alliance provides and enhances extended deterrence." Vincent Brooks said in a statement that "North Korea's nuclear test is a dangerous escalation and poses an unacceptable threat." "The United States and South Korea are taking action every day to strengthen our alliance and respond to North Korea's continued aggressive behavior." He emphasized that the United States has an "unshakable commitment" to its regional allies.
He said that the United States will continue to carry out operations to demonstrate its air power and promote the deployment of the "THAAD" anti-missile system on the peninsula. He emphasized that the United States will continue to strengthen "extended deterrence." The so-called "extended deterrence" means that the United States will provide a nuclear umbrella when its allies are threatened or attacked by nuclear weapons, and use conventional weapons and missile defense systems to defend its allies as well as the United States itself.
The "Global Times" stated that whenever "big things happen" on the Korean Peninsula, sending strategic weapons to South Korea has become a "prescribed action" for the United States. After North Korea's fourth nuclear test in January this year, the United States dispatched B-52 bombers from Guam to South Korea. In February, after North Korea conducted a rocket launch, the U.S. Air Force dispatched four F-22 Raptor fighter jets to fly over the peninsula to demonstrate force to Pyongyang.
Yonhap News Agency stated that the United States will also successively dispatch strategic weapons to the peninsula to put pressure on North Korea. The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will participate in the joint maritime exercises held by the South Korean and American militaries in the western and southern waters of South Korea next month.
The scene that took place over the peninsula on September 13 seemed familiar, and it also triggered a question that has been raised repeatedly: Can the United States' "show of force" scare North Korea? According to the Global Times, the answer is no. While Brooks, commander of the US military in South Korea, talked about the powerful "all-round military capabilities" of the US-South Korea alliance, Pyongyang on the other side of the military demarcation line held a celebration ceremony for the successful nuclear test as if nothing had happened.
When answering the question of "whether this move will aggravate tensions on the Korean Peninsula" at a regular press conference on September 13, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said that under the current situation, relevant parties should maintain rational restraint and refrain from stimulating each other and causing regional tensions to escalate. She said that the regional situation has escalated and stimulated each other, falling into a vicious circle, which is not in the interest of any party.
In answering questions about the deployment of the THAAD system by the United States in South Korea and sanctions against North Korea, Hua Chunying said that China's position on these two issues is very clear. China has always emphasized that the origin of the peninsula issue is complicated and must ultimately be resolved through dialogue and consultation. Regardless of whether it is the United States or South Korea, does anyone really think that the deployment of "THAAD" can solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula once and for all?
Hua Chunying said that facts have proven time and again that the security concerns of all relevant parties on the peninsula should and can only be resolved in a manner that is consistent with the interests of all parties. Any unilateral action taken in pursuit of one's own absolute security and based solely on one's own interests will only aggravate the tension and make the problem more complicated. In the end, it may not only be ineffective in resolving one's own security concerns, but will instead make it more difficult to achieve relevant goals.
“China strongly urges all parties concerned to keep an eye on the overall situation, be cautious in their words and deeds, and avoid stimulating each other and causing tensions to escalate. We have also repeatedly called on all parties concerned not to give up on the prospect of peacefully resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue and consultation, despite the severe and difficult current situation. ”
“As long as there is a little hope, a little opportunity, and a little possibility, all parties should make one hundred percent effort to strive for it. This is China's consistent position. ”She said
