US aircraft carrier approaches Korean peninsula, Pyongyang launches missile over Japan

* The South Korean military said on October 5 that the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier approached the Korean peninsula to demonstrate deterrence power in the context of North Korea launching ballistic missiles over Japanese territory.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group recently left waters near Japan after joint exercises with South Korea and Japan in late September.

The South Korean statement said the “rare” deployment was intended to demonstrate “the US-ROK alliance’s resolve to respond to any North Korean provocations.”

USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. Photo: US Navy

The redeployment of the USS Ronald Reagan shows that the US recognizes the limitations of existing international frameworks in deterring North Korea.

The Yonhap news agency reported that the trilateral exercise between the US, South Korea and Japan began early on the morning of October 6. On October 5, the US and South Korea launched four tactical surface-to-air missiles following a precision bombing exercise the day before in response to North Korea's missile launch.

The United Nations Security Council met on October 5 (New York time) at the request of the three permanent members: the US, UK, France, Albania, Norway and Ireland.

* Meanwhile, on the morning of October 6, North Korea conducted another ballistic missile launch. This was the sixth time North Korea tested weapons in less than two weeks. Pyongyang has fired nearly 40 ballistic missiles in about 20 different tests this year.

Many countries are concerned that North Korea may conduct a seventh nuclear test or continue to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles.

North Korea has stepped up missile tests this year, conducting 23 launches since January. According to Japanese and South Korean officials, Pyongyang has conducted six weapons tests in less than two weeks, including the early morning launch on October 6, which fired two ballistic missiles into the East Sea.

Most notable was the launch on October 4. It was the first time since 2017 that a North Korean missile flew over Japan. Pyongyang also did not warn Tokyo in advance. The missile in this launch also flew farther than previous North Korean missiles.

Some trains in Japan were suspended due to North Korea's missile launch. Photo: Kyodo

North Korea’s missile tests can serve multiple purposes, including improving its technical capabilities and sending political messages, both domestically and internationally. They can also serve as a reminder of the lack of progress in nuclear talks and show how Pyongyang’s military capabilities have developed during the stalemate.