The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived at the naval base in South Korea’s second-largest city, Busan, on Wednesday, Yonhap News reported.
The aircraft carrier will be accompanied by a missile cruiser and two escort ships equipped with Aegis systems. The purpose of this visit was to replenish supplies and rest the crew.
The South Korean military said, “The (South Korean) Navy plans to take advantage of the visit of the 5th aircraft carrier group to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the navies of the two countries and strengthen their defense capabilities.”
This is the first port call by a US aircraft carrier under South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s administration, which won the June election. The last time a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier called at Busan Port was in March.
North Korea has criticized American aircraft carriers calling at South Korean naval bases. North Korean leader Kim Yo Jong’s sister called it “the greatest display of hostility.”
At the end of October, US President Donald Trump visited South Korea. President Trump was expected to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the border, as he did in 2019, but he said he was unable to agree on a time for the meeting.
MNA/