U.S. flies F-22 stealth fighters over South Korea in show of muscle amid tensions with Pyongyang

U.S. stealth F-22 flies over South Korea

(Image credit: Reuters/YouTube)

last updated 17 February 2016

On Wednesday, the U.S. flew at least four F-22 "Raptor" stealth fighters over South Korea, using the high-tech aircraft to reiterate America's "ironclad commitment" to the defense of South Korea, U.S. Lt. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy said in a statement from Seoul. "The F-22 'Raptor' is the most capable air superiority fighter in the world, and it represents one of many capabilities available for the defense of this great nation."

The show of force comes after North Korea tested a nuclear weapon and fired a rocket into space, widely believed to be cover for testing long-range ballistic missile technology — both activities the U.N. Security Council has banned Pyongyang from carrying out. North Korea is likely to see the deployment of radar-evading F-22s as an act of aggression. You can watch below as the planes, and their U.S. and South Korean escort aircraft, land at Osan Air Base near Seoul. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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