US flies bomber for first JDAM bombing drill in 7 years as tensions simmer with North Korea

South Korea says that the U.S. has flown a long-range B-1B bomber over the Korean Peninsula for its first precision-guided weapon bombing drill in seven years

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea says that the United States has flown a long-range B-1B bomber over the Korean Peninsula for its first precision-guided weapon bombing drill in seven years.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry says the U.S. B-1B bomber conducted joint aerial drills with other U.S. and South Korean fighter jets on Wednesday.

It says the B-1B bomber dropped Joint Direct Attack Munitions during the training. The JDAM bombs include precision-guided “bunker-busters.”

The drill is seen as a show of force against North Korea amid rising tensions over the North’s recent launches of trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea.