Kim Yo-jong, the deputy director of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, has issued a warning against the recent arrival of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) in Busan, calling it “the most hostile and confrontational expression of intent.” She stated that North Korea is seriously considering options to enhance “strategic-level deterrent actions.”
In a statement published by the Rodong Sinmun on March 4, Kim Jong-un’s sister Yo-jong accused the United States of routinely carrying out provocative actions that escalate tensions, disregarding North Korea’s security concerns.
North Korea Condemns Increased U.S. Military Presence in the Region
Kim criticized the U.S. for deploying strategic assets, including the USS Carl Vinson and the nuclear-powered submarine USS Alexandria, arguing that such moves effectively place these forces in a state of permanent deployment on the Korean Peninsula.
The USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), a Nimitz-class (100,000-ton) nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, docks at the Naval Operations Command Base in Busan on the afternoon of March 2. Measuring 333 meters in length and 76.4 meters in width, the Carl Vinson carries approximately 6,000 crew members and features a flight deck three times the size of a soccer field. It is capable of deploying 80 to 90 aircraft, including F-35C stealth fighters, earning it the nickname “a floating military base.” [Bonggeun Song, The JoongAng Ilbo]
She further warned that upcoming trilateral maritime exercises between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, as well as the Freedom Shield joint military exercise scheduled for later this month, would intensify Washington’s hostile policy toward Pyongyang.
Kim stated, “We strongly denounce the reckless displays of force by the U.S. and its followers. Their hostile policy, backed by military actions, fully justifies the limitless enhancement of our nuclear war deterrent.”
North Korea Vows to Respond in Kind
Kim made it clear that North Korea would not remain passive in the face of what she described as escalating military provocations.
“We will not just sit idly by and merely comment on the situation,” she warned. “If the U.S. continues to break records in demonstrating its military strength, we will have no choice but to set new records in exercising our strategic deterrence.”
She concluded with a direct caution to Washington: “The U.S. should not attempt to test our will and capabilities.”
Testing the New U.S. Administration’s Response?
Analysts suggest that Kim’s statement could be aimed at gauging the Trump administration’s stance on North Korea by directly criticizing its policies.
The USS Carl Vinson, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, arrived in Busan on March 2 along with USS Princeton, a guided-missile cruiser, and USS Sterett, an Aegis destroyer, as part of its carrier strike group.
This marks the first U.S. aircraft carrier visit to South Korea in approximately eight months, following the last such visit in June 2024. More notably, it is the first since the Trump administration took office on January 20, 2025.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
