Top South Korean, U.S. and Japanese military officers are urging North Korea to cease all unlawful activities that threaten regional security, as the three nations fly advanced warplanes for a joint exercise in a show of force against the North.

North Korea on Sunday blasted recent combined air drills conducted by South Korea, the United States and Japan, saying such joint military actions are "the main danger factors heightening the level of the military tension" on the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding region.

North Korea said on Sunday (July 13, 2025) it stands ready to take military action to counter any security threat against it in a warning against the United States, South Korea and Japan following a recent aerial drill by the allies with a U.S. strategic bomber.

South Korea, Japan and the United States conducted a joint air drill on Friday involving a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber and fighter jets of the three allies over international waters, the South's defence ministry said.

Visit by General Dan Caine, top US military officer, comes amid growing calls in Washington for South Korea to shoulder more defence costs.

Thus far, however, he has said comparatively little about the growing strength of the Kim regime in North Korea, leading some analysts to suggest the administration is neglecting one of the most critical security issues in Asia.

Russia's foreign minister Saturday warned the U.S., South Korea and Japan against forming a security partnership targeting North Korea as he visited his country's ally for talks on further solidifying their booming military and other cooperation.

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea, Japan and the United States conducted a joint air drill on Friday involving a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber and fighter jets of the two U.S. allies over international waters, Yonhap news reported, citing the South's defence ministry.