USS George Washington aircarft carrier arrives in South Korea, marking first visit under Lee administration

ANKARA

The USS George Washington nuclear-powered aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea on Wednesday, marking the first visit by a US aircraft carrier since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June.

The nuclear-powered vessel of Carrier Strike Group 5 entered the naval base in Busan, about 320 kilometers (198.8 miles) southeast of Seoul, Yonhap news reported, citing a statement by the South Korean Navy.

The aircraft carrier was accompanied by USS Robert Smalls guided-missile cruiser, and the USS Milius and USS Shoup Aegis-equipped destroyers.

The navy said the visit aims to replenish supplies and provide rest for crew members, while reaffirming the strong South Korea-US combined defense posture.

"The Navy plans to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the South Korean and U.S. navies as well as strengthen the combined defense posture on the occasion of the port entry of the Carrier Strike Group 5," the statement said.

The visit is the first by a US aircraft carrier in around eight months since the USS Carl Vinson arrived in Busan in March.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, had protested against the arrival in March and said if the US continues to "renew its records in the anti-North Korean military demonstration, North Korea will be naturally compelled to renew its records in the exercise of strategic deterrence."