The U.S. and South Korea began joint naval drills this week, amid sharp criticism from North Korea and ahead of a visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

The four-day maritime counter-special operations exercise (MCSOFEX) in the East Sea features the nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, which is making its first trip to South Korea since 2018. 

The drills, which kicked off on Monday and will continue through Sept. 29, “are intended to strengthen maritime interoperability and tactics, techniques and procedures between our two navies,” Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said Tuesday.

“The