- Joined
- Sep 20, 2016
The Republic of Korea (ROK) said on Monday it was in talks with Washington about holding joint drills with the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group as it approaches waters off the Korean peninsula amid fears the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) could conduct another nuclear test.
ROK Defence Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun gave no further details other than saying Seoul was holding discussions with the U.S. Navy.
On Sunday, two Japanese destroyers joined the USS Carl Vinson carrier group for drills.
U.S. President Donald Trump called Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe amid fears DPRK could conduct another nuclear test.
Abe described his conversation with Trump as a "thorough exchange of views".
"We agreed to strongly demand that North Korea, which is repeating its provocation, show restraint," Abe told reporters. DPRK is also known as North Korea.
"We will maintain close contact with the United States, keep a high level of vigilance and respond firmly," he said.
A Japanese official said the phone call between Trump and Abe was not prompted by any specific change in the situation.
Tensions have risen sharply in recent months, with Washington and its allies fearing Pyongyang could conduct another nuclear missile test or launch more ballistic missiles in defiance of United Nations sanctions.
DPRK celebrates the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean People's Army on Tuesday, and has marked similar events in the past with nuclear tests or missile launches.
The U.S. government has not specified where the carrier strike group is, but U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday it would arrive "within days.
http://www.chinadailyasia.com/asia/2017-04/24/content_15603844.html
ROK Defence Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun gave no further details other than saying Seoul was holding discussions with the U.S. Navy.
On Sunday, two Japanese destroyers joined the USS Carl Vinson carrier group for drills.
U.S. President Donald Trump called Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe amid fears DPRK could conduct another nuclear test.
Abe described his conversation with Trump as a "thorough exchange of views".
"We agreed to strongly demand that North Korea, which is repeating its provocation, show restraint," Abe told reporters. DPRK is also known as North Korea.
"We will maintain close contact with the United States, keep a high level of vigilance and respond firmly," he said.
A Japanese official said the phone call between Trump and Abe was not prompted by any specific change in the situation.
Tensions have risen sharply in recent months, with Washington and its allies fearing Pyongyang could conduct another nuclear missile test or launch more ballistic missiles in defiance of United Nations sanctions.
DPRK celebrates the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean People's Army on Tuesday, and has marked similar events in the past with nuclear tests or missile launches.
The U.S. government has not specified where the carrier strike group is, but U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday it would arrive "within days.
http://www.chinadailyasia.com/asia/2017-04/24/content_15603844.html