America flexes its muscle in South Korea as U.S. Army conducts defense exercises amid growing tensions with North Korea

  • U.S. Army troops performed military defense exercises near the border of North and South Korea in Paju on Saturday
  • President Trump sent an aircraft carrier-led strike group to the Korean Peninsula as US officials feared the Kim Jong-un would mark its national holiday by launching its sixth nuclear weapons test
  • The North Korean leader vowed to detonate an 'annihilating strike' if Washington attacks, during the country's Day of the Sun parade
  • The regime has accused Trump of provoking armed conflict and issued multiple warnings of retaliation 
  • On Wednesday the U.S. launched a surprise military exercise at the Kadena Air Base in Japan with jets in the 18th wing arsenal

The United States is flexing its military muscle in South Korea amid growing tensions with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after the dictator vowed to detonate an 'annihilating strike' if Washington attacks, during the country's Day of the Sun parade.

President Trump sent an aircraft carrier-led strike group to the Korean Peninsula as US officials feared the dictator would mark the national holiday by launching its sixth nuclear weapons test, since the country has used previous holidays to showcase its military prowess.

The socialist state celebrated the 105th anniversary of its founder Kim Il-Sung's birth, where Jong-un threatened to defeat enemies with 'nuclear justice.' 

U.S. Army troops and Air Force conducted military exercises on Saturday near the border between the two countries in Paju. 

On Wednesday the United States launched a surprise military exercise at the Kadena Air Base in Japan, with HH-60 Pave Hawks, F-15 Eagles, E-3 Sentries and KC-135 Stratotankers, Fox News reported. 

US soldiers prepare for a military exercise near the border between South and North Korea on April 15 in Paju, South Korea

US soldiers prepare for a military exercise near the border between South and North Korea on April 15 in Paju, South Korea

US Army soldiers with M1A2 tanks participate in a defence exercise conducted to simulate a response to a possible attack from North Korea at the Mugeon-ri drill field

US Army soldiers with M1A2 tanks participate in a defence exercise conducted to simulate a response to a possible attack from North Korea at the Mugeon-ri drill field

Tensions between the US and North Korea have been mounting in recent weeks, and yesterday Pyongyang issued a series of menacing threats to 'ravage' US troops and 'go to war if they choose'

Tensions between the US and North Korea have been mounting in recent weeks, and yesterday Pyongyang issued a series of menacing threats to 'ravage' US troops and 'go to war if they choose'

President Trump sent an aircraft carrier-led strike group to the Korean Peninsula as US officials feared the Kim Jong-un would mark its national holiday by launching its sixth nuclear weapons test

President Trump sent an aircraft carrier-led strike group to the Korean Peninsula as US officials feared the Kim Jong-un would mark its national holiday by launching its sixth nuclear weapons test

North Korea has showed off its strength by testing two nuclear bombs and multiple missile tests in the last year. 

On Saturday he told the packed-out square: 'If the United States wages reckless provocation against us, our revolutionary power will instantly counter with annihilating strike, and we will respond to full-out war with full-out war and to nuclear war with our style of nuclear strike warfare.' 

Submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) were also among the sophisticated military hardware on show for the first time, indicating an improving technological capability that could help it evade anti-missile systems.  

A total of 56 missiles of 10 different types were displayed, culminating in enormous rockets on articulated trailers and on 16-wheeler vehicles.

Single-engine propeller-powered planes flew in a 105 formation overhead.

Unlike previous parades attended by Kim, there did not appear to be a senior Chinese official in attendance, Reuters observed. 

Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week to put pressure on the leader to help ease tensions with North Korea or else the U.S. will take action alone.

China is North Korea's lone major ally, but has spoken out against its missile and nuclear tests and has supported UN sanctions. China yesterday again called for talks to defuse the escalation in tensions.  

Tensions between the US and North Korea have been mounting in recent weeks, and yesterday Pyongyang issued a series of menacing threats to 'ravage' US troops and 'go to war if they choose'.

China warned the region could go to war 'at any moment'. US President Donald Trump is monitoring the emerging crisis from his Mar-a-Lago resort this weekend without the company of his top advisers. 

North Korean state television showed Kim, wearing a black suit and white shirt, stepping out of a black limousine.

He saluted his honor guard before walking down a red carpet to a podium and clapped with senior government officials to address the massive crowd taking part in the parade. 

Goose-stepping soldiers and marching bands filled the square as tanks, multiple launch rocket systems and other weapons waited to parade.  

Kim, a 30-something leader who took power in late 2011, emphasizes nuclear weapons as the foundation of his national defense strategy.

The country under his watch has been aggressively pursuing a goal of putting a nuclear warhead on an ICBM capable of reaching the continental United States.     

 The U.S. is reportedly prepared to take action if North Korea attacks. On April 15, thousands of North Korean troops armed with rifles took part in the show of force, which saw North Korea flaunt sophisticated new military hardware

 The U.S. is reportedly prepared to take action if North Korea attacks. On April 15, thousands of North Korean troops armed with rifles took part in the show of force, which saw North Korea flaunt sophisticated new military hardware

North Korea has warned that Donald Trump's 'troublemaking' and 'aggressive' tweets have pushed the world to the brink of thermo-nuclear war

North Korea has warned that Donald Trump's 'troublemaking' and 'aggressive' tweets have pushed the world to the brink of thermo-nuclear war

US intelligence sources claim President Donald Trump is prepared to strike if North Korea attacks  

US intelligence sources claim President Donald Trump is prepared to strike if North Korea attacks  

U.S. Air Force 44th and 67th Fighter Squadron F-15 Eagles and 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentries taxi down the runway at the Kadena Air Base 

U.S. Air Force 44th and 67th Fighter Squadron F-15 Eagles and 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentries taxi down the runway at the Kadena Air Base 

Tanks rolled through the capital city of the secretive state, which was marking the 105th birthday of Kim Jong-un's late grandfather

Tanks rolled through the capital city of the secretive state, which was marking the 105th birthday of Kim Jong-un's late grandfather

US officials feared Kim Jong-un would mark the national holiday by launching its sixth nuclear weapons test, since the country has used previous holidays to showcase its military prowess

US officials feared Kim Jong-un would mark the national holiday by launching its sixth nuclear weapons test, since the country has used previous holidays to showcase its military prowess

Smiling dictator: Kim Jung-un was noticeably relaxed and appeared happy as he attended the 'Day of the Sun' military parade in Kim Il Sung square - which celebrates his grandfather - the founder of North Korea

Smiling dictator: Kim Jung-un was noticeably relaxed and appeared happy as he attended the 'Day of the Sun' military parade in Kim Il Sung square - which celebrates his grandfather - the founder of North Korea

China, North Korea's sole major ally and neighbor which nevertheless opposes its weapons program, on Friday again called for talks to defuse the crisis. Pictured, preparations ahead of the parade

China, North Korea's sole major ally and neighbor which nevertheless opposes its weapons program, on Friday again called for talks to defuse the crisis. Pictured, preparations ahead of the parade

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