Jul 24 09:30 PM US/Eastern
SEOUL, July 25 (AP) - (Kyodo) — The United States and South Korea on Sunday commenced a four-day joint naval exercise, the first major naval drill by the two allies following the sinking of a South Korean warship in March near the North Korean border.
About 8,000 troops from the two countries, more than 20 naval vessels and submarines, including the USS George Washington, a 97,000-ton U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier based in Yokosuka, Japan, and about 200 military aircraft, including four U.S. F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, took part in the exercise in the Sea of Japan, known by Koreans as the East Sea.
The drill, codenamed "Invincible Spirit," is a starter for a series of joint military exercises to be held both in the Yellow Sea and on land in the coming months by the two countries "to send a clear message to North Korea that its aggressive behavior must stop," and that they are "committed to together enhancing (their) combined defensive capabilities," according to the two countries.
Tensions between the two Koreas have been high since the March 26 sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan.
International investigators led by South Korea have concluded that a North Korean submarine sank the 1,200-ton Cheonan with a torpedo, killing 46 South Korean sailors on board.
North Korea has persistently denied any involvement.
North Korea's powerful National Defense Commission, through its official media outlet, threatened Saturday to use the country's "powerful nuclear deterrence" to counter the U.S.-South Korea joint exercises, while its Foreign Ministry said the country is "prepared for both dialogue and war" and will take "strong physical measures" to respond to U.S. military provocations, sanctions and pressure.
The commission, chaired by top North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, said the country will "legitimately counter (the exercises) with powerful nuclear deterrence."
The North Korean army and people "will start a retaliatory sacred war of their own style based on nuclear deterrence any time necessary in order to counter the U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppet forces deliberately pushing the situation to the brink of a war," the commission said.
Japan sent four Maritime Self-Defense Force officers to board the USS George Washington to demonstrate its cooperation with the United States and South Korea in security areas against the North.
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