South Korea, US Begin Joint Naval Drill

The United States and South Korean militaries kicked off a large-scale joint naval drill off the coast of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea's military said Monday.

    The six-day drills in the Japan Sea and the Yellow Sea come amid alarm over possible moves by North Korea. The drills began Monday, the anniversary of the founding of the North's ruling Workers' Party. 

    The US military has deployed the nuclear aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, and six other vessels. South Korea has brought more than 40 vessels, including some equipped with the advanced Aegis radar system. The USS Ronald Reagan's homeport is in the Japanese city of Yokosuka, south of Tokyo. 

    They plan to simulate an attack from the sea on the North's military and its submarines. The South Korean military said the purpose of the drill is to show the strong determination of the alliance that the North should pay for its provocation. 

    North Korea's state-run media reacted sharply to the drills, denouncing the two countries. There is concern that the North could conduct another round of ballistic missile launches to mark the anniversary.

Source: QNA