[Courtesy of US Navy]
Dozens of US and South Korean warships, led by an American aircraft carrier strike group, launched a five-day joint sea drill in waters around the Korean peninsula in a show of force to North Korea.
The exercise followed the arrival of a U.S. strike force involving the Nimitz-class USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered submarine, destroyers and missile cruisers. Along with helicopters and jet fighters, South Korea mobilized Sejong the Great Class, the Aegis guided missile destroyer, submarines and other ships.
During their operation, the allies will stage various field drills against simulated attacks by North Korean missiles, submarines and special units. Aboard the American submarine is a special unit trained to "decapitate" the North's leadership, according to Yonhap News Agency.
In January, the South's defense ministry disclosed a plan to form a special army brigade to decapitate Kim and other top commanders in charge of nuclear weapons. US and South Korean troops have tested a joint operational scheme to test preemptive attacks targeting North Korea's leadership.
The exercise serves as a warning to North Korea. In New York last month, South Korean President Moo Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to expand the rotational deployment of key American military assets.
Last week, two American B-1B strategic bombers from Guam launched a simulated missile attack on North Korean targets in an operation to test a "quick" response by South Korean and US air assets.
There are about 28,000 US troops stationed in South Korea. Extra US military assets and personnel come from abroad for regular joint drills. Pyongyang condemns them as provocative rehearsals for an invasion.
Pyongyang has issued a series of threats following the US-led adoption of new UN sanctions prompted by its ICBM and nuclear tests. The North's military has threatened to fire missiles around Guam.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
