USS Carl Vinson to leave Korea: Navy

SEOUL, May 31 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. naval strike group, led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, will end its month-long mission near the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday night, the South Korean Navy said.

The Vinson, a nuclear-powered flattop based in San Diego, arrived in the East Sea in late April as a warning to North Korea over its continued provocations.

The Vinson and some accompanying warships had joint drills with the South's Navy, while operating here.

Their departure comes as another aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan that is based in Japan, has resumed its full operation after months of regular maintenance.

The Vinson has been covering for the Reagan under the Pentagon's practice of deploying one aircraft carrier in a single theater abroad. The U.S. is known to have 10 aircraft carriers.

It remains unconfirmed where or when the Reagan will enter the East Sea.

U.S. Naval Forces Korea kept mum on the Reagan's planned activity.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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