Allies conduct drill as defence chiefs meet

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

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It was the first time this year that a US B-52H strategic bomber was deployed to the Korean Peninsula for a drill, conducted to improve deterrence against North Korea's increasing nuclear and missile threats, it said.

The three countries' defence chiefs also held an annual meeting in Seoul yesterday, where they recognised the importance of close trilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges posed by North Korea, in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, the defence ministry said in a statement.