US F-35 Returns to the Korean Peninsula After 5 Years

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The U.S. Air Force's stealth fighter F-35A has appeared on the Korean Peninsula for the first time in about five years.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 5th, six F-35A fifth-generation fighters from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska are scheduled to conduct joint training with the Republic of Korea Air Force until the 14th of this month.

This is the first time in 4 years and 7 months since December 2017 that the U.S. Air Force's F-35A has been publicly deployed on the Korean Peninsula. At that time, tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated following North Korea's successive missile provocations and the sixth nuclear test, with the U.S. Air Force deploying not only the F-35A but also the F-22 Raptor and long-range bomber B-1B to conduct the ROK-U.S. joint air exercise "Vigilant Ace."

The Ministry of National Defense explained, "This deployment is intended to demonstrate the strong deterrence and combined defense posture of the ROK-U.S. alliance, as well as to enhance interoperability between the ROK and U.S. Air Forces."