A United States Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, has arrived in South Korea as part of a show of force amidst growing concerns over deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia. The carrier docked in the port of Busan on Saturday in preparation for trilateral exercises with South Korea and Japan in the waters near the peninsula.
The joint statement released by Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo on Monday strongly condemned the new 'strategic partnership' between North Korea and Russia, which was solidified during Russian leader Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Pyongyang. The statement expressed grave concerns over the deepening military cooperation and mutual defense pact between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The presence of the USS Theodore Roosevelt in Busan is part of a series of US military actions demonstrating its commitment to its treaty ally, South Korea. This includes recent live-fire exercises involving US Air Force B-1B bombers and AC-130 gunships on the Korean Peninsula.
Russia's veto in the United Nations earlier this year to shield North Korea from further scrutiny and Putin's backing of Kim Jong Un's narrative have heightened tensions in the region. The joint drills with the US have been a point of contention for North Korea, which has continued its nuclear weapons program and missile testing.
The visit of the USS Theodore Roosevelt marks the second time a Nimitz-class carrier has visited South Korea in seven months. The carrier, with over 5,000 personnel and an air wing of more than 60 aircraft, underscores the strong defense posture of the South Korea-US alliance against North Korean threats.
The upcoming Freedom Edge exercise, involving forces from the US, South Korea, and Japan, aims to enhance military cooperation among the three countries. The Pentagon announced that the Roosevelt will depart the Indo-Pacific theater next week to head to the Middle East, replacing the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
With the movement of the USS Roosevelt, only one US carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, will remain in the region. The ongoing military maneuvers and strategic deployments reflect the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.
