SEOUL: Japan, the United States and South Korea conducted a two-day joint military drill in waters southeast of the South Korean island of Jeju through Tuesday, the South Korean navy said.

The drill showcased the three countries’ capabilities in dealing with North Korea, as part of efforts to boost their security cooperation, a goal the countries’ leaders shared in August.

South Korea’s Aegis destroyer Yulgok Yi I, the US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s large destroyer Hyuga took part in the drill.

The drill focused on enhancing the three countries’ maritime operational capabilities to respond to the threat posed by North Korea’s increasingly sophisticated nuclear and missile capabilities.

The countries also held their first trilateral drill simulating the inspection of a ship carrying weapons of mass destruction since 2016.

According to the South Korean military, the carrier strike group including the Ronald Reagan will be anchored off the South Korean city of Busan from Thursday to Oct. 16.

The Ronald Reagan’s planned port call at Busan will be the first since September last year. The latest visit marks 70 years of the US-South Korean alliance and is intended to keep North Korea in check by displaying US extended deterrence.

Pyongyang is expected to react strongly to the US aircraft carrier’s stay in Busan.

JIJI Press