South Korea and the United States on Tuesday conducted joint air drills involving the deployment of the U.S. B-1B strategic bomber over the Korean Peninsula.

According to Seoul’s defense ministry, the drills were carried out to enhance interoperability and demonstrate the allies’ extended deterrence capabilities against North Korea’s escalating nuclear and missile threats.

The air drills also involved U.S. F-16 fighters and South Korea’s F-35A stealth fighters and F-16 fighters.

The defense ministry stressed that based on close cooperation, Seoul and Washington will continue to expand joint exercises to deter and respond to threats from Pyongyang, thus enhancing their alliance. 

Given that Tuesday marked the birthday of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung, Seoul and Washington apparently sought to boost their deterrence capabilities with joint air drills that involved U.S. strategic assets.