US, allies stage drills as N. Korea warns of security crisis

By KIM TONG-HYUNG and HYUNG-JIN KIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The United States, South Korea and Japan have conducted a joint missile defense exercise in waters near the Korean Peninsula as they expand military training to counter the growing threat of North Korea’s nuclear-capable missiles. The South Korean navy says the exercise involved Aegis destroyers from each country. The United States and South Korea also launched separate bilateral drills on Monday involving some 110 warplanes that will continue through April 28. A top North Korean military official warned the U.S. that it risks “a clearer security crisis and insurmountable threats,” and urged it to halt political and military provocations.