N.Korean Warplanes Stage Show of Force

Twelve North Korean warplanes staged a rare show of force by flying in formation and firing air-to-surface missiles near the inter-Korean border on Thursday afternoon. 

The South Korean military responded by scrambling about 30 warplanes. North Korea also fired two short-range ballistic missiles earlier that day. 

The North seems to be protesting against joint naval drills by South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, which have been going on since last week.  

The Joint Chiefs of Staff here said about 30 South Korean warplanes responded immediately with "overwhelming" air power to the aerial show of force staged by North Korean bombers and fighter jets south of the Pyongyang-Wonsan surveillance line around 2 p.m. Thursday. 

According to the JCS, eight North Korean fighter planes and four bombers practiced firing air-to-surface missiles for about an hour as they flew from Koksan to Hwangju in North Hwanghae Province. 

Meanwhile, President Yoon Suk-yeol discussed with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the phone how to respond to North Korean nuclear weapons and missiles. 

After a meeting of the National Security Council chaired by national security adviser Kim Sung-han, the presidential office pledged to take a hard line on the issue, saying, "North Korea will face a tougher response to its provocations."