As theater for shows of force, Korea's East Sea becomes a new powder keg
Hankyoreh
Posted on : Jul.20,2023
After the first US ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in 42 years arrived in the port of Busan as a check against North Korea’s nuclear program, the North responded in kind by firing two short-range ballistic missiles over the East Sea. As if lying in wait, China and Russia embarked on joint exercises in which they showed off their strategic solidarity.
On Wednesday, the TASS news agency quoted a Russian Defense Ministry statement the day before saying that warships with Russia’s Pacific Fleet had left their base in Vladivostok to take part in the joint “Northern/Interaction-2023” exercise with the Chinese navy in the East Sea.
For the drill, the Russian military sent in its 6,800-ton anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Tributs, two Admiral Panteleyev destroyers, and a Gremyashchiy-class corvette.
China’s Defense Ministry also reported on July 16 that a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Northern Theater Command fleet had departed its naval base in Qingdao the day before to take part in joint exercises with Russia. The Chinese fleet consisted of five vessels: the guided-missile destroyers Qiqihar and Guiyang, the guided-missile frigates Zaozhuang and Rizhao, and the supply ship Taihu, which carried four helicopters.
https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/1101036.html
Recommend the entire piece, it's a good summary.