South Korea's defense ministry says the country has conducted air drills with Japan and the United States. This follows North Korea's launch this month of what it claimed to be a new type of intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile.

The ministry said on Wednesday that the trilateral exercise took place earlier in the day over waters near the Korean Peninsula.

The ministry said the drills involved at least one US B-1 bomber as well as South Korean Air Force F-15 and Japanese Self-Defense Force F-2 fighter jets. North Korea is highly cautious about the bomber.

The ministry said the exercise was held to enhance trilateral capabilities to deter and respond to North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. It added that the three countries will continue to strengthen their cooperation.

The South Korean Air Force announced it also held bilateral training with the US Air Force on Wednesday. It said the exercise involved dropping bombs on ground targets.