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's chairman of of the joint chiefs of staff hosted his counterparts from the U.S. and Japan in Seoul on Friday.

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.

The 51st Fighter Wing said the upgraded F-16s will bring "unparalleled multi-role versatility and superior operational range" to U.S. forces in South Korea.

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.