US nuclear-powered vessel commands military training exercises

The three-way wargames are focused on alleged “threats” from North Korea, Seoul’s military said. The US Navy has kicked off joint military drills with South Korea and Japan, with a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier taking a lead role in anti-submarine exercises designed to counter the DPRK. The South Korean Defense Ministry announced the latest wargames on Monday, noting the three nations would hold two days of “anti-submarine warfare training” near Seoul's southern island of Jeju. The exercises will be led by Rear Admiral Christopher Sweeney, commander of the US’ 11th carrier strike group, which includes the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, multiple guided-missile destroyers, and other support vessels. A Japanese destroyer and South Korean fast combat support ships were also slated to join the drills, which will also involve “search-and-rescue training.” The Nimitz carrier strike group took part in a separate bilateral exercise with Seoul in late March, its first joint drill with the South Korean Navy during its current deployment.

The US and South Korea have conducted several rounds of joint drills in recent months, prompting a retaliatory weapon test from the DPRK. China's Foreign Ministry said "continuous military drills" are the main reason behind the recent flaring tensions on the Korean Peninsula, urging the US and its allies to "stop military pressuring" and to pursue dialogue with North Korea. Pyongyang has yet to comment on the exercises, but has condemned similar operations as preparation for an attack on North Korea. China's Foreign Ministry said "continuous military drills" are the "main reason behind the recent flaring tensions on the Korean Peninsula," urging the US and its allies to "stop military pressuring" and to pursue dialogue with North Korea.