Nuclear powered USS Carl Vinson in South Korea!
Seoul, Mar 2 (EFE).-
The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson arrived in South Korea on Sunday, days after North Korea test-launched cruise missiles, the South Korean Navy said.
This marks the first show of force of its kind since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.
The carrier docked at Busan naval base, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, accompanied by the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton and the destroyer USS Sterett, equipped with Aegis missile interceptors.
The South Korean Navy described the visit as a demonstration of the US commitment to extended deterrence on the Korean Peninsula and a testament to the strong defense cooperation between Washington and Seoul in response to North Korea’s recent weapons tests.
“Our military will powerfully retaliate against any North Korean threat, and the South Korea-U.S. alliance will support peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” said Lee Nam-gyu, director of South Korea’s maritime operations center.
During the carrier’s visit, the allies plan to assess the interoperability of their combined military assets and engage in friendly activities.
Meanwhile, US Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson emphasized the importance of such operations for regional security.
“The Carl Vinson’s carrier strike group operations demonstrate our commitment to bolster the defense of allies and partners,” Brunson said, as quoted by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
“This visit, especially when coupled with realistic all domain, joint and combined training, increases interoperability and ensures we build the readiness posture to deter aggression and maintain stability in the Republic of Korea and the region,” Brunson added.
The USS Carl Vinson last visited South Korea in November 2023, coinciding with North Korea’s successful launch of its first military spy satellite.
The visit comes eight months after another nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, docked in Busan for joint naval exercises. EFE
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