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North Korea Warns U.S.–South Korea Will 'Pay a Dear Price' as Drills Reach Ninth Day

Pentagon F-35 deployments to Kunsan feature in drills described by Washington as defensive.

Two United States F-35A fighter jets fly alongside an F-16 fighter jet during a dogfighting training scenario as part of Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 25 at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea on August 20, 2025.
U.S. soldiers from 2nd Infantry Division, participate in a UFS/TIGER Combined Urban Operations plan as part of Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercises at Wollong Urban Area Operatiions training center, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 on Paju in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
This file photo shows the U.S. Air Force's F-35 fighter jet landing at an air base in South Korea's Gwangju on April 18, 2025. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Ulchi Freedom Shield 25 began on August 18 and is scheduled to conclude Thursday after entering its ninth day.
  • Roughly 10 U.S. F-35A and F-35B jets were temporarily sent to Kunsan Air Base for the exercise.
  • U.S. Air Force photos show two F-35As flying with an F-16 during a dogfighting training scenario at Kunsan on August 20.
  • A statement by North Korean military official Kim Yong-bok accused the allies of practicing a new plan for expanded attacks and preemptive strikes on the North’s nuclear facilities.
  • U.S. Forces Korea calls the exercise defensive and aimed at strengthening combined readiness, as analysts note uncertainty over any North Korean military response.