US Confirms Carrier-Based Air Demonstration In Response To Missle Launches

The commander of US 7th Naval Fleet has confirmed that earlier today the US Indo-Pacific Command conducted a carrier-based air demonstration in the Yellow Sea. This involved the launching of a range of reconnaissance and attack aircraft from the USS Abraham Lincoln. The demonstration comes in direct response to the 'increased pace and scale' of missile launches conducted by North Korea.

• A statement reads that "The ICBM launches by DPRK are a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions—as well as its international commitments—and pose a threat to regional neighbors and the international community. We have made clear our growing concern over the significant increase in DPRK’s missile testing, and we will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the United States and our allies. We remain in close coordination with our allies and partners to address the threats posed by the DPRK. Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad."
• South Korea's stance towards the North is likely to become only more combative in the months ahead, following the win for conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol in the 9 March presidential election. Yoon's inauguration is set for 10 May, and despite pronouncements that his gov't would seek to rekindle talks with Pyongyang there is the prospect of a heightening of tensions on the Korean peninsula under the new administration.