180 North Korean Planes On South Korean Radar As Peninsula Tension Mounts

Tensions escalated on the Korean peninsula when South Korea spotted 180 warplanes Friday on their radar. The radar images lasted for around four hours, and in response they scrambled 80 fighter jets of their own.

The North Korean flights appeared to be deliberately close to the military demarcation line that separates the two countries. North Korea claims their actions were in direct response to a joint military operation that South Korea and the United States conducted called Operation Vigilant Storm.

Pak Jong Chon, a North Korean military official issued the following statement:

“The irresponsible decision of the US and South Korea is shoving the present situation caused by provocative military acts of the allied forces to an uncontrollable phase. The US and South Korea will get to know what an irrevocable and awful mistake they made.”

On Wednesday, prior to the warplane incident, North Korea had launched 23 missiles toward South Korea. What makes this act particularly significant is that one of the missiles landed south of Northern Limit Line, which is considered the maritime border between the countries. It was the first time that has happened since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

North Korea followed Wednesday’s missile launches with the firing of another intercontinental ballistic missile, the seventh such launch this year.

The launch of the intercontinental missile caused the extension of the Vigilant Storm joint operation for one day, wrapping up yesterday instead of Friday.

The continued testing of these missiles is worrisome. As far back as last March the Defense Department was concerned. In March of last year Defense Department Spokesman, Lt. Colonel Martin Meiners issued the following statement:

“North Korea’s continued development of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction represent a threat to U.S. interests and the security of our allies and partners. “In the near term, DoD, in close coordination with allies and partners, will seek to deter negative behavior from North Korea.”

North Koreas actions were enough to cause Japan to issue an emergency Alert via Twitter. The tweet from the PM’s Office of Japan read:

[Emergency alert]

North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile.

More updates to follow.

Serious times require capable leaders. To this point, Biden seems incapable of quelling these dangerous situations.