North Korea Announces Reconnaissance Satellite Launch... Military Conducts Strike Drills Involving F-35A and Others

About 20 Fighter Jets Including F-35A Begin Training
North Korea Announces Military Reconnaissance Satellite Launch to Japan

In response to North Korea's announcement of a military reconnaissance satellite launch, our military has commenced counter-training exercises.

On the 27th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "In response to North Korea's announcement of the launch of a 'North Korean claimed military reconnaissance satellite,' our military is conducting attack formation flight and strike training as part of demonstrating our strong capabilities and determination."

F-35A squadron moving for night sortie. [Photo by Republic of Korea Air Force] [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from around 1 p.m. that day, approximately 20 fighter jets including Air Force F-35A, F-15K, and KF-16 conducted attack formation flight training and strike exercises south of the No-Fly Line (NFL) in the central forward area.

A Joint Chiefs of Staff official explained, "This attack formation training was conducted to demonstrate our immediate, strong, and decisive (immediate, strong, to the end) will and capability to retaliate against enemy provocations."

North Korea has notified Japan, the coordinating country, through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Worldwide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS) of plans to launch a rocket carrying a satellite between today and the 4th of next month, and to establish three maritime danger zones accordingly. Previously, the military reconnaissance satellite No. 1 launched by North Korea in November last year successfully entered orbit but is assessed to be non-functional. North Korea has announced plans to launch three additional reconnaissance satellites within this year and is reportedly receiving technical support from Russia.