Busan: The USS George Washington aircraft carrier arrived at a key naval base in the southeastern city of Busan, South Korea's Navy said, in a reaffirmation of the South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the nuclear-powered vessel of Carrier Strike Group 5 entered the naval base in Busan, about 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul. This marked the first visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier to South Korea since President Lee Jae Myung assumed office in June.

The aircraft carrier was not alone; it was accompanied by the USS Robert Smalls guided-missile cruiser, and the USS Milius and USS Shoup Aegis-equipped destroyers, as confirmed by the Navy.

The Navy stated that the purpose of the visit is to replenish supplies and provide rest to crew members. "The Navy plans to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the South Korean and U.S. navies as well as strengthen the combined defense posture on the occasion of the port entry of the Carrier Strike Group 5," it added.

This visit is notable as it marks the first visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier in around eight months since the USS Carl Vinson arrived in Busan in March. However, the arrival has not been without controversy, as North Korea protested against the visit. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, referred to it as Washington's expression of its "most hostile and confrontational will."