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S. Korea Displays F-35 Stealth Jets Seen by North as a Threat

Reuters

   SEOUL - South Korea showcased newly acquired F-35 stealth fighter jets
   to mark Armed Forces Day on Tuesday as President Moon Jae-in tries to
   allay concerns that his policy of engagement with North Korea may be
   weakening the South's commitment to defense.

   North Korea has criticized the South's weapons procurement and its
   joint military drills with the U.S. military as undisguised
   preparations for war that were forcing it to develop new short-range
   missiles.

   Moon has thrown his support behind dialogue to end the North's nuclear
   and ballistic missile programs, urging that working-level negotiations
   between the North and the United States be held soon. No new dates or
   locations have been set.

   Moon marked the founding of the South Korean military at a ceremony at
   an airbase in the city of Taegu that highlighted four of the eight
   Lockheed Martin F-35A jets delivered this year. Forty of the aircraft
   are to be delivered by 2021.

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