A US aircraft carrier has arrived in South Korea for the first time in nearly five years ahead of a joint military exercise that is seen as a show of force against the nuclear-armed North Korea.

Hardline South Korean President Yoon Seok-yul vowed to “intensify joint military exercises with the United States after years of failed diplomacy with North Korea.”

“The deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan to Busan is a testament to the strength of the South Korean-American alliance,” a South Korean defense ministry spokesman told AFP, adding that the purpose of the visit is to contain nuclear and missile threats to North Korea.

In another context, she noted, “North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, has conducted a record number of weapons tests this year, and earlier this month it amended the law to allow pre-emptive nuclear strikes and pledged not to give up its nuclear weapons.”

“The equipment will take part in a joint exercise on the east coast of South Korea this month, and the nuclear submarine USS Annapolis is also expected to participate,” the Yonhap news agency reported.

The aircraft carrier’s visit comes just months after South Korean and US officials warned that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was preparing to conduct another nuclear test.