S. Korean air force holds exercise against N. Korea

TOKYO, Aug 29 (KUNA) -- A squadron of four South Korean F-15K fighter jets staged a live-bombing drill against North Korea's leadership on Tuesday in response to its latest ballistic missile launch, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Air Force.
The aircraft dropped eight MK-84 bombs, each weighing about a ton, at a simulated target in the eastern province of Gangwon. They hit the target accurately, it said, adding the practice was aimed at sharpening the capability of completely destroying "the enemy's leadership" in case of an emergency.
The MK-84 general-purpose bomb is known to be mainly used for destroying underground bunkers.
It confirmed the South Korean Air Force's attack ability for a strong warning message to the North, defense officials said. "Our Air Force will wipe out the leadership of the North Korean regime with the strong strike capability if it threatens the security of our people and the South Korea-U.S alliance with nuclear weapons and missiles," Maj. Lee Kuk-no, who led the training mission, was quoted as saying.
Earlier in the day, the North shoot an apparent intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan. South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered his military to demonstrate its firepower to discourage the North from miscalculating the security situation. The US is expected to dispatch strategic bombers or an aircraft carrier in a show of force and security commitment to the defense of South Korea. (end) mk.rk