USS Carl Vinson Enters South Korean Port to Demonstrate Military Strength

The US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson arrived in the southern city of Busan, South Korea, on Sunday as a demonstration of military strength, according to the South Korean navy.

This visit is part of the United States’ “ironclad” commitment to extended deterrence and showcases the readiness of the military alliance between Seoul and Washington in response to North Korea, as stated by the navy.

The nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson, part of Carrier Strike Group 1, was accompanied by the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton and the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett.

Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test launch of strategic cruise missiles and ordered full readiness for the use of the country’s nuclear capabilities, according to state media.

This marks the first visit of a US aircraft carrier to South Korea since June, when the nuclear-powered Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Busan for joint military exercises. In November 2023, the USS Carl Vinson, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, also visited Busan.