SHOW OF FORCE

U.S. Starts Massive Military Drills With South Korea

As North Korea predictably warns of “merciless revenge.”

The U.S. and South Korea on Monday began their biggest-ever air drills on the Korean Peninsula despite Pyongyang’s warning of “merciless revenge” for the show of force. The five-day annual drill, which comes just a week after North Korea fired a new missile it claims could reach all of the U.S., this year includes six F-22s, six F-35As, and 12 F-35B fighters, according to a U.S. military statement. Yonhap News has also reported that the drills will include simulated attacks on mock North Korean nuclear and missile targets. Some 12,000 U.S. servicemen are participating in the exercises, which come as tensions are at their highest in recent memory amid escalating threats from North Korea. White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Sunday said the potential for war with the country “is increasing every day.”