China’s Xi Jinping called for restraint during an overnight call about North Korea with President Donald Trump, which came as Japan conducted joint drills with a US aircraft carrier strike group headed for the region. The vessels of the two countries began joint exercises Sunday in the Western Pacific. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was rerouted toward North Korea earlier this month, after initial confusion over its strike group’s deployment – including a statement by President Trump that he was sending “an armada” to the Korean Peninsula. JS Samidare and JS Ashigara, two destroyers, joined the exercise with the USA carrier group.
The U.S. Navy says the joint exercises are routine, created to improve combined maritime response and defense capabilities, as well as joint maneuvering proficiency.
South Korea says key parts of a contentious US missile defense system have been installed a day after rival North Korea showed off its military power.