Where Will North Korea Attack First? US, South Korea, And Japan Hold Naval Drills Amid Submarine Threats

The United States, South Korea, and Japan conducted joint naval drills Monday against North Korea's growing submarine threats as the reclusive country continued its provocative actions against the West and its Asian neighbors, Seoul's defense ministry announced. The latest military drills come amid continuous warnings from Pyongyang to stop Seoul's joint drills with Washington, which Kim Jong Un's regime sees as a threat to its security.

The three-day training started in the waters between South Korea and Japan near Jeju Island. The ministry said that an Aegis system-equipped guided missile destroyer, several warships and military choppers were involved in the exercises, which is aimed at securing "effective response" by the three countries to the North's submarine threats. According to South Korea's ministry, the North is currently developing submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

Read: US Challenges China On North Korea Nuclear Threat Amid Unsanctioned Missile Launches

South Korean Navy's 4,500-ton Kang Gam Chan destroyer and a Lynx helicopter are taking part in the drills along with the Washington's USS McCampbell, a destroyer armed with the Aegis ballistic missile defense system, an MH-60 anti-submarine chopper and a P-3 Orion patrol plane. Japan's copter-carrying destroyer, the Sawagiri, is also part of the exercise.

During the drills, naval forces will "search, detect and track a mock submarine, and exchange relevant information," the ministry said, in a statement.

The latest move comes as North Korea continues its nuclear advancements despite several warnings from the U.N. and condemnation from other foreign leaders. Last week, Pyongyang threatened of "preemptive attack" on South Korea and the U.S. over their joint military drills.

In a statement, titled “U.S. should not run wild, pondering over the catastrophic consequences to be entailed by its attempt at a preemptive strike,” published by North Korea’s state news agency KCNA last month, Pyongyang said U.S. should be prepared for “catastrophic consequences.”

On Sunday, President Donald Trump said he’s ready to take on North Korea, as speculation grows the reclusive country was getting ready for its sixth nuclear test.