US may send strategic B-52 'flying fortress' to South Korea

The United States will send two B-52 strategic bombers to South Korea this week to demonstrate its strong commitment to its key ally in Asia amid growing threats from North Korea, a source told Yonhap news agency on September 20.

B-52 strategic bomber. (Source: EPA)

The source, who requested anonymity, said the two aircraft would arrive at Osan Air Base, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, and stay there for several days this week, but did not say when. Meanwhile, US Forces Korea spokesman Kim Yong-kyu said they “do not discuss operational matters.”

The US has previously taken a series of military countermeasures after North Korea carried out major provocations. Most recently, on September 13, four days after North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test, the US sent two B-1B stealth bombers from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to fly over Osan base, escorted by four South Korean F-15Ks and four US F-16s.

The B-52 can be equipped with nuclear missiles and bunker-buster bombs that can destroy North Korea's reinforced underground facilities.

According to VIETNAM+