US and South Korean warships launched this Monday off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, the first joint military exercise in five years, a day after the north fired an unidentified ballistic missile.
The four-day exercises are designed to demonstrate the “strong determination of the Allies to respond to North Korean provocations” and to enhance the ability to conduct joint naval operations, the South Korean navy said in a statement.
More than 20 ships from the US and South Korean navies, including the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, fighter jets and helicopters, were deployed for the exercises, the same report said.
This is the first joint military exercise involving a US aircraft carrier since 2017.
The two countries have since canceled or scaled back joint military exercises in an effort to facilitate negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear program or, later, prevent outbreaks of Covid-19.
North Korea has accelerated weapons tests to a record pace by 2022. The regime has launched more than 30 ballistic weapons, including the first intercontinental ballistic missiles since 2017, and observers say continues to expand military capabilities as negotiations continue. a deadlock.
The North Korean threat is also expected to be on US Vice President Kamala Harris’ agenda during her visit to South Korea this week after attending the Tokyo state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo.Abe, shot dead on July 8.
Source: DN
