US to base more bombers near North Korea

THE United States is basing more heavy bombers near North Korea and will formally protest against the communist nation's "reckless actions" in using MiG fighters to intercept a US surveillance plane, officials said.

Shifting the military aircraft toward north-east Asia was described "as a prudent gesture to bolster our defence posture and as a deterrent" by Defence Department spokesman Lieutenant Commander Jeff Davis.

Other Pentagon officials said the deployment includes sending B-52 bombers to the US Pacific territory of Guam.