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We are able to operate a bit closer to shore and we do have more speed than some of the other ships. It’s just something we’re going to be actually exploring during the exercise

North Korea demands the U.S. and South Korea end the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises held early each year in order to improve ties on the peninsula. The regime calls the drills preparations for war and routinely threatens to retaliate with nuclear force if its territory is violated during the exercises that the U.S. and South Korea say are defensive in nature.

Fort Worth’s commanding officer Matthew Kawas said he could not comment on whether the ship’s presence could risk inflaming tensions with North Korea. “We are looking to normalize having an LCS out here and send the LCS all over to start participating in exercises and make it more routine,” Commander Kawas said.

“We are able to operate a bit closer to shore and we do have more speed than some of the other ships,” Kawas said. “It’s just something we’re going to be actually exploring during the exercise and see what additional features we can bring.”

North Korea’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said in a statement carried by the state-run Rodong Sinmun on Feb. 12 that South Korea was raising tensions to an “extreme level” by planning the drills with the U.S. It said North Korea would use its “small, precise and diversified” nuclear arms in a “decisive battle” on the U.S. mainland.

“We do not hesitate to hide our intention to make South Korea our target in retaliation if the war-mongering South Korean fanatics volunteer to be consumed by artillery in the invasive war by the U.S.,” said the committee, which handles relations with South Korea.