The United States flew nuclear-capable bombers and stealth fighter jets near South Korea on Tuesday after the powerful sister of Kim Jong Un boasted about North Korea’s military capabilities.
“Malicious disparaging,” “rubbish” and “dog barking” were terms Kim Yo Jong used to dismiss unflattering analyses of the North’s spy satellite program, The Associated Press reported. North Korea earlier this week launched two medium-range ballistic missiles in tests that North Korean officials claim will soon lead to the nation’s first reconnaissance satellite, Voice of America reported.
PANMUNJOM, SOUTH KOREA – APRIL 27: North Koraen Leader Kim Jong Un (L) and sister Kim Yo Jong attend the Inter-Korean Summit at the Peace House on April 27, 2018 in Panmunjom, South Korea. Kim and Moon meet at the border today for the third-ever inter-Korean summit talks after the 1945 division of the peninsula, and first since 2007 between then President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea and Leader Kim Jong-il of North Korea. (Photo by Korea Summit Press Pool/Getty Images)
Outside experts suggested that the low-resolution images North Korea released after the launch were “of much lesser quality than commercially available satellite images, such as those available on websites like Google Maps,” VOA noted.
“I think it’s better for them to stop talking nonsense, behave carefully and think twice,” Kim Yo Jong said of the assessments in a nearly 2,000-word editorial posted to state media, according to AP.
The senior North Korean official not only condemned the analysts as “military hooligans,” but also suggested a provocative long-range missile launch, according to VOA. North Korea’s rocket launches have so far been conducted at a steep angle to avoid neighboring countries, the outlet noted. In her editorial, Kim Yo Jong suggested a launch at a normal trajectory, a move that would escalate tensions between the United States and North Korea. (RELATED: US Strategic Command Tweets Then Deletes Joke About Dropping Bombs To Ring In 2019)
The U.S. and South Korea offered a show of “extended deterrence” to North Korean aggression with Tuesday’s joint air drills, VOA reported. The exercises included U.S. nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bombers and F-22 stealth fighter jets along with South Korean F-35A and F-15K fighters. Both allies will “continue to strengthen the combined defense posture,” South Korea’s defense ministry said, according to VOA.