SEOUL: South Korea, Japan, and the United States on Sunday conducted a joint air drill involving a heavy bomber, Seoul`s military said, in response to North Korea`s latest long-range missile test.

The exercise took place three days after Pyongyang launched one of its most powerful and advanced solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), which experts say could reach targets in the mainland US.

The drill mobilised the US` B-1B bomber, South Korea`s F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets, and Japan`s F-2 jets, Seoul`s military said.

`The exercise demonstrates the commitment of the ROK-US alliance to integrated extended deterrence in response to the advancing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea,` said South Korea`s Joint Chiefs of Staff in a press release.

During the aerial manoeuvre, South Korea and Japan`s jets escorted the US strategicbomber to a designated location south of the Korean peninsula, `demonstrating an overwhelming capability to swiftly and accurately strike simulated targets,` it added.

The B-1B Lancer is a supersonic heavy bomber known for its high-speed performance with a payload of 75,000 pounds (34,000 kilograms) of munitions, including both conventional and precision-guided weapons.

It was the fourth time this year the bomber was deployed to the Korean peninsula, the military said, and the second time for a trilateral aerial exercise to counter Pyongyang`s military threats.

The North`s latest ICBM launch is said to have flown higher and further than any previous missile, according to North Korea as well as Seoul and Tokyo`s militaries, which tracked it in real-time.

The official Korean Central News Agency hailed it as `the world`s strongest strategic missile,` and leader Kim`expressed great satisfaction` at the successful launch.

North Korea `would never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces,` the agencysaid.

The launch came amid growing international scrutiny over Pyongyang`s purported deployment of thousands of troops toRussia to support Moscow`s war efforts in Ukraine, raising concerns North Korean soldiers in Russian uniforms could soon engage in combat.-AFP