North Korean warplanes in bombing formation spotted as jets rushed in defense

South Korea's military says eight North Korean fighter jets and four bombers flew in formation, prompting its neighbor to respond by jamming 30 warplanes. fight

A South Korean F-15K fighter jet takes off from an air base (

Image: AFP/Getty Images)

South Korea sent 30 jets in a panic after spotting at least 12 North Korean warplanes flying in formation and carrying out an apparent bombing exercise.

The South Korean military says eight of the fighter jets and four bombers from its neighboring hermit country flew in formation.

He believes Kim Jong-un's planes were conducting air-to-ground gunnery drills, prompting South Korea to respond by jamming 30 fighter jets.

This follows North Korea's launch of two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea towards Japan earlier today, which was the sixth launch in 12 days.

The assaults are said to be in response to the Ronald Reagan, a US fleet of missile carriers and aircraft that is the world's largest numbered forward deployed fleet, conducting exercises with South Korea in nearby waters .

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reacts during the test launch operation of a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile in March (

Picture:

AFP via Getty Images)

The US aircraft carrier and allied warships held a drill on Thursday simulating the shooting down of one of the North's missiles in preparation for an attack.

North Korea has launched about 40 missiles this year and appears to be showing signs that it is ready to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017, officials in Seoul and Washington have said.

"This is the sixth time in the short period, counting only those at the end of September," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters.

"This absolutely cannot be tolerated."