Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters traveling with Gates that the aircraft carrier's port visit's timing, in conjunction with the 2-plus-2 Talks, provides "a visual, tangible manifestation of our commitment to the security of the Republic of Korea."

After the port visit, Morrell added, the George Washington will participate in the first of the U.S.-South Korean military exercises expected over the coming months. Based in Yokosuka, Japan, The George Washington is the U.S. Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

The Pentagon said the war games are designed to send a message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). A senior Defense Department official speaking on background said last week that the United States is "trying to send a clear message of deterrence" to Pyongyang, "which we hope will have an effect of impressing upon them that they need to reconsider the sort of behavior they've been engaged in, including the Cheonan" incident.

Seoul announced in May that its navy warship Cheonan was torpedoed by a submarine of the DPRK, but Pyongyang immediately denied the involvement, saying the investigation results were fabricated.

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