Korea-US-Japan Conduct Largest-Ever Maritime Exercise in Jeju Waters

US Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson Participates After Two Months
Blocking Maritime Security Threats Including WMD Sea Transport

The navies of South Korea, the United States, and Japan are conducting the largest-ever maritime exercise. Since establishing the trilateral training plan last December, this is the first time a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has participated in the exercise.

The South Korean and U.S. navies, along with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, are conducting trilateral naval exercises in international waters south of Jeju from the 15th to the 17th. From the top right, the ships are: the South Korean Navy destroyer Wang Geon, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyer Kongo, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, the South Korean Navy Aegis destroyer Sejong the Great, the U.S. Navy cruiser Princeton, and the U.S. Navy Aegis destroyer Kidd. (Photo by U.S. Navy)

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the 17th, the South Korean and U.S. navies and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force have been conducting the trilateral maritime exercise in international waters south of Jeju from the 15th through the 17th. The South Korean Navy deployed two Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers, while the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force deployed two Aegis destroyers, including the Kong?-class.

The U.S. Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN) was also mobilized. The Carl Vinson, part of the U.S. Navy's Carrier Strike Group 1, previously entered the Busan operational base in November last year, one day before North Korea's announcement of its third military reconnaissance satellite launch. It has returned to the Korean Peninsula after two months. This is interpreted as a measure to strengthen the combined defense posture of South Korea and the U.S. in response to North Korea's nuclear missile threats. The Carl Vinson measures 333 meters in length and 76.4 meters in width. It is known to carry Super Hornet fighter jets (F/A-18), Hawkeye early warning aircraft (E-2C), and anti-submarine aircraft (S-3A). The Carl Vinson carrier strike group consists of the cruiser USS Princeton and destroyers such as USS Hopper and USS Kidd.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff explained that this exercise is aimed at responding to maritime security threats such as the sea transport of weapons of mass destruction. They also emphasized that the exercise focused on enhancing cooperation among the three countries. Meanwhile, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan plan to conduct missile defense drills in addition to maritime exercises this year. The three countries conducted missile defense exercises in April last year in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.