American aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea for drills amid tensions with Pyongyang

(Patria) - The American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Theodore Roosevelt, arrived on Saturday in the South Korean port city of Busan to take part in joint military exercises later this month with the host country and Japan, naval officials said, Reuters reported.

The leaders of the three countries agreed at a summit last August to hold annual military training exercises in an effort to project unity in the face of China's growing power and nuclear threats from North Korea.

This month's exercises, named "Freedom Edge," will involve the navies of the three countries and will include naval, anti-submarine warfare and air defense drills, said U.S. Rear Admiral Christopher Alexander.

"The intent is to improve interoperability between our navies and ensure we are ready to respond to any crisis or contingency," he said at a press conference, adding that the Theodore Roosevelt will serve as the command ship for the exercises.

Last year, the three countries organized joint naval missile defense and anti-submarine exercises to improve responses to North Korean threats.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea this week for the first time in 24 years and signed an agreement with leader Kim Jong Un that included a mutual defense pledge.

It was one of Russia's most significant moves in Asia in recent years, which Kim described as an alliance.

The visit comes seven months after another U.S. aircraft carrier, the Carl Vinson, traveled to South Korea in a demonstration of extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.