The United States, South Korea, and Japan have reportedly started a three-day joint military exercise on the Korean Peninsula to simulate countering a North Korean submarine-launched missile attack.

The exercise began off South Korea’s southern coast near Japan on Monday, the South’s Defense Ministry said. Several naval destroyers and helicopters used in anti-submarine warfare along with more than 800 troops are participating in the drill.

Seoul said the exercise was aimed at “ensuring effective response to the North’s submarine threats including the submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM).”

The drill began a day after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would act unilaterally to deal with Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs if China, the North’s main ally, proved unwilling to help.

Trump told The Financial Times that Beijing “has great influence over North Korea…Well, if China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all I am telling you.”

Pyongyang has so far conducted five confirmed nuclear tests and numerous missile launches.

Source: Websites