US aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, is making a port call in South Korea on Friday as part of a regular visit. The vessel has just finished exercises with the Japanese navy, including communications drills and helicopter takeoff and landing practice on each other's ships.

The Carl Vinson arrived in Busan in South Korea on Tuesday ahead of Friday's joint exercise. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates will visit South Korea on the same day as the joint exercise. Some analysts claim USS Carl Vinson's visits to Japan and South Korea complement Gate's diplomatic schedule.