U.S., Japan, South Korea conduct naval exercise near North Korea

The U.S. Navy held a naval exercise this week with Japan and South Korea, showcasing their military strength in response to North Korea. The exercise involved the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and took place in international waters near South Korea's Jeju Island. The U.S., Japan, and South Korea are allies facing threats from nuclear-armed North Korea, which has been launching missiles during testing. The U.S. has stationed troops in both Japan and South Korea as a deterrent, which North Korea sees as a direct threat. During the four-day exercise, the navies of the three countries practiced various military operations to improve their cooperation. This included anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine training. It was the first joint naval drill under Donald Trump’s second presidency. North Korean officials, including Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, have criticized these exercises. They claim such drills justify their country's need to strengthen its nuclear deterrent. The exercise concluded with statements from the U.S. and South Korean defense ministries emphasizing the importance of trilateral cooperation to counter North Korea's threats. The situation remains tense, and it is uncertain if North Korea will respond with missile launches.