SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s military said on Friday it had scrambled fighter planes after North Korean forces spotted about 180 planes flying north of the border between the two countries over a four-hour period.
The South Korean military said in a statement that North Korean aircraft flew north of the so-called Line of Tactical Action, north of the Military Demarcation Line between the two Koreas. The virtual line is being used as a basis for South Korea’s air defense operations, a South Korean official said.
South Korea scrambled 80 aircraft, including F-35A stealth fighters. About 240 aircraft that participated in the Vigilant Storm exercise with the United States continued training, the military said.
Ten North Korean fighter jets performed a similar maneuver last month, and South Korea scrambled its jets.
The operation comes after North Korea fired more than 80 cannons into the sea overnight and multiple missiles into the sea on Thursday, including a possible failed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The launch prompted the US and South Korea to extend aviation exercises that have angered North Korea.
Reported by Soo-hyang Choi. Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Alex Richardson
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