S. Korea, U.S. kick off joint naval exercise

South Korea launched its five-day joint naval exercise with the United States in the country's southwestern sea on Wednesday amid North Korea's continued calls to withdraw from what it calls provocative action.

The five-day exercise will involve two South Korean Navy Aegis ships as well as the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, two American cruisers and one U.S. Aegis ship, a Seoul military official said, adding that the areas of the training are north of Jeju Island as well as waters southwest of Mokpo.

During the exercise, South Korean and U.S. Marines will also be conducting joint drills in the East Sea, the official said.

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