US, South Korea and Japan conduct naval exercises amid North Korea tensions

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, left, sails with South Korean Navy’s Aegis destroyer King Sejong the Great and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force Aegis destroyer Kongou took part in exercises in the international waters of the southern coast of Korean peninsular (South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff via AP)

The United States, South Korea and Japan have conducted combined naval exercises involving an American aircraft carrier in their latest show of strength against nuclear-armed North Korea.

The manoeuvres came as the three countries’ senior diplomats were to meet in Seoul to discuss the deepening stand-off with Pyongyang, the South Korean military said.