Seoul, 5 November 2022 (dpa/MIA) — The United States has sent long-range B-1B bombers to the Korean peninsula for the first time in five years, South Korea's general staff announced on Saturday, as the two countries wrap up joint air exercises. Two of these supersonic bombers, as well as eight fighter jets from both countries, took part in the Vigilant Storm exercises in South Korea, the general staff said. The joint drills ended on Saturday after six days. Meanwhile, North Korea continued its tests, firing another volley of ballistic missiles towards the open sea, according to the South Korean military. Pyongyang's recent tests are considered to be partly in response to the joint US-South Korean military air exercises. At least four short-range missiles were detected after launching in North Korea early on Saturday, the general staff in Seoul said. The projectiles flew about 130 kilometers in the direction of the Yellow Sea, west of the peninsula. It was unclear whether this took place before or after the B-1B overflights. The US has previously flown long-range bombers over South Korea as a sign of the strength of their alliance. North Korea is currently testing missiles at an unusually high frequency. This week alone Pyongyang tested more than 25 missiles, including an intercontinental ballistic missile, according to the South Korean military. North Korea has accused Seoul and Washington of "reckless" military provocation and threatened countermeasures. South Korea and the US fear that Pyongyang is on the verge of launching its first nuclear test in years. The tensions on the Korean peninsula were on the agenda of the UN Security Council on Friday. However, its 15 members failed once again to agree on a joint statement. A unified approach by the council has previously failed due to resistance from China, which is seen as North Korea's closest international partner. Instead, a number of countries — including the US, Britain and France — separately condemned Pyongyang's ongoing missile tests.