South Korea scrambles fighter jets after detecting 180 North Korean warplanes

Seoul: Tensions in the Korean Peninsula are peaking as South Korea scrambled fighter jets after detecting about 180 North Korean warplanes flying north of the military border for over four hours yesterday.

In a statement, South Korea’s military said, the North Korean aircraft flew north of the so-called tactical measure line, drawn up to 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).

The military said, South Korea scrambled 80 aircraft, including, F-35A stealth fighters, in



response. About 240 aircraft participating in the Vigilant Storm air exercises with the United States continued the drills.

The maneuvers came after North Korea fired more than 80 rounds of artillery into the sea overnight, and the launched multiple missiles into the sea on Thursday, including a possible failed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The launches prompted the United States and South Korea to extend air drills that have angered Pyongyang.