'US Pacific commander says B-52 overflight demonstrates 'ironclad U.S. commitment' to S. Korea'

The overflight by a U.S. B-52 nuclear bomber of South Korea demonstrates "ironclad" U.S. commitment to the Asian ally in the wake of North Korea's nuclear test, the U.S. Pacific commander said Saturday.

The bomber left U.S. Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on Sunday morning and arrived in the skies above Osan, south of Seoul, around noon, armed with nuclear missiles and "bunker buster" bombs that are capable of bombarding North Korea's underground facilities, according to Seoul and Washington.

It flew past Osan surrounded by an entourage of two South Korean F-15Ks and two U.S. F-16s.

"This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland," Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander U.S. Pacific Command, said in a press statement.

"North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. U.S. joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security," he said.

The statement also said that the bilateral flight mission demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula. (Yonhap)