Park Jin Visits U.S. Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Ronald Reagan... Emphasizes Security Cooperation

Foreign Minister Park Jin visited the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) of the U.S. 5th Carrier Strike Group, which recently arrived at the Busan Naval Operations Base, on the 15th, emphasizing the security cooperation between South Korea and the United States.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Park visited the USS Ronald Reagan in the afternoon to review the current status of cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. Guided by Rear Admiral Pat Hannifin, commander of the 5th Carrier Strike Group, and Captain Darryl Caldon, Minister Park toured the carrier’s hangar, flight deck, and control tower, both inside and outside the ship, and received a briefing on carrier operations. The USS Ronald Reagan and the U.S. 5th Carrier Strike Group participated in the trilateral maritime interdiction and anti-piracy exercises with South Korea and Japan in international waters southeast of Jeju on the 9th and 10th, before arriving at the Busan Naval Operations Base on the 12th.

Minister Park stated, "The visit to the USS Ronald Reagan, conducted amid the increasingly sophisticated and blatant nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, strongly demonstrates the unwavering security cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region." He added, "The regular visibility of U.S. strategic assets will be a great strength for the South Korea-U.S. alliance."

Rear Admiral Hannifin, commander of the 5th Carrier Strike Group, said, "The U.S. Navy and the Carrier Strike Group have long cooperated closely with the Republic of Korea Navy, and this port call is a great opportunity to strengthen relations between the navies and peoples of both countries." He also stated that they will enhance their response capabilities to North Korean threats through joint exercises and other efforts.

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