The silent conflict between South and North Korea takes a new turn as South Korea summons 80 fighter jets in response to Noth Korea's 180 warplanes' launch near the shared border.
North Korean military airplanes were detected between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on November 4 by South Korean armed forces. Although South Korean borders were not crossed, the planes penetrated the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). Regional tensions between the two neighbouring countries are, once again, becoming increasingly heated, as North Korea is said to have launched over 50 missiles in 2022.
On October 31, North Korea and the US began operation Vigilant Storm, one of the largest combined air drills. Both countries launched hundreds of warplanes into the air, conducting mock attacks for approximately a week. American Air Forces reported over 1,600 sorties during the operation, with over 240 planes participating in total. Advanced F-35 jets were also exploited throughout the operation from both sides.
Officials claim training of this scale was necessary for security reasons, to prepare for a possible attack from North Korea. The conflict has been fuelled up anew as North Korean military forces have launched a record number of missiles- 80 rounds of artillery in a single night. The North Korean army is also suspected of firing a banned intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the sea, causing unrest and panic in Japan. Another unprecedented attack from North Korea was spotted on November 2, marking the first time a rocket landed near South Korean naval borders since 1948. It was launched south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), deemed a maritime border between the countries, and is the closest a North Korean missile has landed to South Korea since their separation.
On November 7, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) claimed to have found debris from a short-range ballistic missile in the sea near its borders. The officials believe these to be the remnants from the rocket fired south of the NLL a few days prior.
Besides, North Korea has evidently been preparing for nuclear testing for the first time ever since 2017. Despite harsh sanctions, the military carried out six tests in the time period between 2006 and 2017. It is currently attempting military advancements in spite of the UN, causing havoc among the neighbouring countries.
According to South Korean media sources, North Korean authorities warn of an entrance into "an uncontrollable phase" in case the operation continues. The country sees Vigilant Storm as a threat and a preparation for a future invasion.
North Korea commented on the recent launches, claiming these were simulated attacks on South Korea and the United States. The authorities state that the countries' training was an "open provocation aimed at intentionally escalating the tension." Moreover, the government has already threatened to employ nuclear weapons as a response to the operation. It seems the North is ready to start an open war in case they deem the actions of the South and the US an invasion threat.
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