A US aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea on Sunday, demonstrating military strength just days after North Korea test-fired cruise missiles to showcase its counterattack capabilities, reports AP.
The USS Carl Vinson and its strike group docked in the South Korean port of Busan to emphasise the robust U.S.-South Korea military alliance amidst ongoing North Korean threats, while also enhancing the allies’ joint operational readiness, according to the South Korean navy. The arrival marked the first U.S. aircraft carrier visit to South Korea since June.
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This deployment is likely to provoke North Korea, which perceives such U.S. military assets as significant security threats. In response to previous U.S. aircraft carrier, long-range bomber, and nuclear-powered submarine deployments, North Korea has conducted missile tests.
Since President Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, he has indicated plans to reach out to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to revive diplomacy. Although North Korea has not directly reacted to Trump’s offer, it claims that U.S.-led hostilities against it have increased since Trump's swearing-in.
On Friday, North Korea announced it had test-launched strategic cruise missiles earlier in the week to demonstrate its military’s ability to counterattack and its nuclear readiness. After the launches, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un declared that the military must remain prepared to use nuclear weapons. This was the North’s fourth missile test this year.
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Experts believe that Kim is unlikely to engage with Trump at this time, as his focus is on supporting Russia's war in Ukraine through the provision of weapons and troops. However, they suggest Kim may consider diplomatic talks with Trump in the future if he finds it challenging to sustain North Korea's growing cooperation with Russia.
Kim and Trump met three times between 2018 and 2019 during Trump’s first term to discuss North Korea's nuclear program. Their negotiations ultimately faltered over disagreements concerning U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea.