Washington/Seoul, 12 April 2022 (TDI): The United States (US) has deployed a military aircraft carrier amidst rising tensions with North Korea in the Korean waters.
According to US officials, The USS Abraham Lincoln strike group operates in the Korean peninsula. South Korean media reported that the US deployed the ships against increased tensions over North Korea’s missile tests.
The Carrier group is in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, for exercises with Japanese forces. The activity aims to reassure America’s military partners in the region.
Furthermore, there is a growing concern among US officials that North Korea could carry out an underground nuclear test in the coming days. This is the first time since 2017 that the US deployed a carrier group in this region.
Previously, it deployed three carriers and their multi-ship strike groups over North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons tests. The three carriers were USS Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt, and Nimitz.
The United States Forces Korea (USFK) spokesperson declined to give information or comment on the upcoming or ongoing military drills.
US-South Korea Relations
The United States and South Korea have deep historical, political, social, and economic ties. However, the relations between the two states are primarily defined by their long-standing military alliance against North Korea.
The US helped in establishing South Korea and protected the country in the 1950 Korean war. In addition, approximately 29,000 United States troops are stationed in South Korea.
These troops make up the United States Forces Korea (USFK). In 2009, South Korea and the United States committed to developing a vision for future defense cooperation.
Under the current arrangement, South Korean forces would fall under United States control if the war resumes. The major challenge facing the two countries is North Korea’s development of nuclear and missile technologies that threaten the balance of power.
Japan has also established a military partnership with the US and is another important partner in the region. Both Asian countries heavily rely on US support for their defense.
