Busan: South Korea's defense ministry has sharply criticized statements made by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, regarding the recent docking of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in South Korea. The ministry labeled the remarks as a tactic to rationalize North Korea's own military provocations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Yo-jong commented on the nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson's arrival at a significant naval base in Busan, suggesting it necessitates a strengthening of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities. She made these remarks shortly after the carrier's arrival on Sunday.
The South Korean defense ministry responded by stating that North Korea's condemnation of the U.S. strategic asset's deployment-intended to uphold the U.S. extended deterrence pledge and facilitate combined South Korea-U.S. exercises ahead of the Freedom Shield exercise-was merely a pretext for North Korea's ongoing nuclear and missile developments. The ministry emphasized that North Korea's nuclear ambitions are unacceptable and urged Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear pursuits.
The ministry also highlighted that South Korea's military is on high alert, prepared to counter any potential provocations from the North. It warned that any aggressive actions by North Korea, using the defensive military activities of Seoul and Washington as a pretense, would be met with significant retaliation.
The South Korean Navy has characterized the presence of the USS Carl Vinson as part of efforts to reinforce an "ironclad" U.S. extended deterrence promise, recently reaffirmed by Washington. This move is also seen as a demonstration of the strong South Korea-U.S. defense alliance in the face of ongoing threats from North Korea.
The USS Carl Vinson's docking represents the first visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier to South Korea in approximately eight months, coinciding with the anticipated annual springtime Freedom Shield exercise by the allies. Kim Yo-jong's statement on Tuesday marks her first address concerning the U.S. since President Donald Trump returned to office in January.