US Aircraft Carrier Roosevelt That Filmed 'Top Gun' Arrives in Busan... North Korea and Russia Issue Warnings

First Arrival in Domestic Waters... "Demonstrating Strong ROK-US Alliance"
ROK-US-Japan's First Multi-Domain Exercise 'Freedom Edge' Participation

The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN) has docked at our Busan operational base. This is the first time the Roosevelt has entered South Korea, and it is the first visit by a US aircraft carrier in seven months since the USS Carl Vinson in November last year.

According to the Naval Operations Command on the 22nd, the US 9th Carrier Strike Group, led by the Roosevelt, arrived at the Busan operational base that morning. The Aegis destroyer USS Halsey and USS Daniel Inouye also docked together.

On the morning of the 22nd, the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN), belonging to the U.S. Navy's 9th Carrier Strike Group, is entering Busan Naval Base. [Photo by Republic of Korea Navy Headquarters]

The Roosevelt is also known as a filming location for the movie 'Top Gun.' It is scheduled to participate in the first trilateral multi-domain military exercise 'Freedom Edge' involving South Korea, the United States, and Japan at the end of this month. Amid unprecedented close ties such as the signing of a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, South Korea, the US, and Japan are expected to send a strong warning message. This is also in line with fulfilling the US commitment to 'permanent and ironclad extended deterrence' promised during this month's South Korea-US Defense Ministers' Meeting and the 3rd South Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group meeting.

The South Korean and US navies plan to conduct various exchange activities to promote naval friendship during the Roosevelt's visit. An open event for the aircraft carrier will also be held for the public on the 23rd. Rear Admiral Lee Jae-seop, Chief of Naval Operations Command's Maritime Operations Headquarters, stated, "Our military will strongly and decisively retaliate against any provocations from North Korea, and the ROK-US alliance will support peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region based on a close cooperative system."