US nuclear-powered aircraft arrives in Busan, set for trilateral joint drills with Japan and S.Korea
A US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, arrived at the South Korean port city of Busan on Tuesday morning.
The commander of the carrier’s strike group, Rear Admiral Christopher Sweeney, told reporters on board the ship that the US-South Korea alliance is “prepared to adapt to new challenges and threats to ensure the security of future generations of Koreans and Americans.”
He revealed that after the Nimitz leaves port, it will take part in a trilateral exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the South Korean Navy.
The commander did not disclose the date of departure, but South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reports the carrier is likely to leave port early next week.
The US aims to strengthen its three-way partnership with Japan and South Korea as the North accelerates its nuclear and missile development.
Countries in the region are bracing for further military provocation by the North after it fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Monday.
