(LEAD) S. Korea, U.S. kick off joint air exercise
(ATTN: ADDS more info in 5th para)
SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States kicked off a combined annual air exercise Monday, a military source said, in a low-key manner apparently to back ongoing diplomacy to resume dialogue with North Korea.
For the five-day exercise, the allies mobilized some 100 air assets each, including F-15K and KF-16 jets from South Korea, and F-16s from the U.S., the source said on the condition of anonymity, noting no military assets were deployed from the U.S. mainland this time.
The allies have regularly held the air exercise in a scaled-down, low-key manner since they suspended the large-scale Vigilant Ace exercise to support peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula.
The South Korean Air Force declined in public to elaborate on the maneuvers, only saying that allied exercises are carried out in a "balanced manner" under the annual plan.
"We cannot comment on the exercise as it is one that is not disclosed to the media," an Air Force official told Yonhap News Agency.
North Korea has long denounced the allies' military drills as a war rehearsal for an invasion and used them as an excuse for provocations.
The reclusive regime recently called on the allies to drop "double standards," bashing Seoul and Washington for defining its missile activities as "provocations" while rationalizing their own as deterrence.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
(Yonhap Interview) Samsung has substantial upside potential on sound fundamentals: chief analyst
-
BTS vows full support for Busan's World Expo bid
-
(6th LD) S. Korea successfully launches homegrown space rocket in second attempt
-
VIVIZ to drop 2nd EP next month
-
BTS' Jungkook drops collaborative single with U.S. singer-songwriter
-
(Yonhap Interview) Samsung has substantial upside potential on sound fundamentals: chief analyst
-
S. Korea prepares to launch homegrown space rocket after failed attempt last year
-
(LEAD) On Korean War anniversary, S. Korea vows stern response to N. Korean provocations
-
(2nd LD) Yoon suggests disclosing more information on fisheries official's death
-
(6th LD) S. Korea successfully launches homegrown space rocket in second attempt
-
S. Korean player Lee Hyun-jung goes undrafted in NBA
-
N. Korea looks set for 'fire and fury' provocations: U.S. expert
-
(LEAD) On Korean War anniversary, S. Korea vows stern response to N. Korean provocations
-
New COVID-19 cases drop below 7,000 amid slowdown in omicron spread
-
(LEAD) New COVID-19 cases drop below 7,000 amid slowdown in omicron spread