North Korea prompted worldwide condemnation when it fired a missile into the Sea of Japan and shock photos reveal Seoul is not taking this threat lightly.
Images show South Korean bombers explosively attacking a mock target in a move designed to intimidate Pyongyang, who have not bowed to the pressure of sanction.
South Korea have already warned Pyongyang they will respond “strongly”.
Foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha said: “We will respond strongly based on our steadfast alliance with the United States if North Korea continues nuclear and missile provocations.”
The drill saw F-15K jets drop bombs at the Taebaek Pilsung Firing Range, according to photos released by the South Korean Defence Ministry.
The images show a hillside reduced to fire and smoke just hours after North Korea fired yet another missile in an attempted show of power.
The missile is reported to have fallen into waters 1,180km east of Cape Erimo on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.
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It sparked panic in Japan and set alarm bells ringing in Washington, Seoul and across the globe.
Warnings were issued across Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Niigata and Nagano.
People across Japan were sent terrifying text message warnings which alerted them to the missile launch.
The message said: “Missile passing. Missile passing.
“A short time ago, a missile apparently passed above this area. If you find suspicious objects, please don’t go near them and immediately call police or firefighters. Please take cover in secure buildings or underground.”
Office worker Ayaka Nishijima said: “I was woken by the missile alert on my cellphone. I didn’t feel prepared at all.
“Even if we get these alerts there’s nowhere to run. It’s not like we have a basement or bomb shelter, all we can do is get away from the window.”
Even in Tokyo, more than 400 miles from the missile path, warnings were issued.
Rail customers were told: “Currently, a North Korean missile is flying above Japan.
“It is very dangerous. Please take cover at the waiting areas or inside the trains.”