The U.S. sent two nuclear-capable strategic bombers buzzing over ally South Korea on Tuesday in a show of force meant to impress upon North Korea Washington's commitment to Seoul after Pyongyang's fifth nuclear test days earlier.
Yet, in an apparent carrot-and-stick approach, the U.S. envoy to the Koreas said Washington has left the door open for talks, should the North make prove ready to negotiate "sincerely."
The battle-tested B-1B bombers, flying from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, conducted a low-altitude flight over South Korea's Osan Air Base, about 120 km from the demilitarized zone border with the North.