USS George Washington Docks in Busan in First Carrier Visit Under Lee

Overview

• The carrier arrived at Busan Naval Base on Nov. 5 with cruiser USS Robert Smalls and destroyers USS Milius and USS Shoup.
• South Korea’s navy said the visit supports replenishment and crew rest and serves to deepen naval exchanges and the combined defense posture.
• It is the George Washington’s first trip to the Korean Peninsula since 2014 and the first U.S. carrier port call since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June.
• North Korea publicly protested the arrival, with Kim Yo-jong calling U.S. carrier visits a display of hostility.
• The port call follows recent training with Japan by Carrier Strike Group 5, and the last U.S. carrier to visit Busan was the USS Carl Vinson in March.