USS Ronald Reagan Arrives In Busan As Kim And Putin Exchange Messages

 

A United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived in South Korea on Thursday in a demonstration of strength against North Korea.

The carrier’s arrival is expected to anger North Korea, which views the deployment of such a powerful U.S. military asset as a major security threat.

The carrier is to stay in Busan until next Monday as part of an agreement to enhance “regular visibility” of US strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in response to Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear programme, according to an earlier South Korean Defence Ministry statement.

In his message to Putin, Kim said he was “very satisfied” over “an exchange of candid and comprehensive opinions” with Putin during his Russia trip, while expressing a firm belief that bilateral ties will develop onto a new level. Kim also hoped that the Russian people would defeat “the imperialists’ persistent hegemonic policy and moves to isolate and stifle Russia,” according to the official Korean Central News Agency. 

For his part, Putin said he was satisfied with the fact that bilateral relations continue to positively develop, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. Meanwhile, Washington and Seoul have warned against the speculated weapons transfer deal.