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After North Korea launched another nuclear test earlier this month, US forces will now head for the western Pacific Ocean in a bid to maintain peace in the region. The Carl Vinson strike group, which includes an aircraft carrier, is now set to travel from Singapore toward the Korean peninsula. The official said: "We feel the increased presence is necessary."

GETTY Is this move likely to increase tensions between North Korea and the international community?

President Trump has vowed to support South Korea and B-52 nuclear bombers have made several flights over the region in an intimidating show of force. It comes after five nuclear weapons tests by North Korea, which have put the world on edge amid fears of a nuclear war. The North Korean dictator was enraged by joint military exercises conducted by the US and South Korean armies, which he considers to be a persistent provocation. Last week, the country’s state-run media outlet issued a report stating: “The South Korean army is caught by defeatism, weariness of war and military service, and war phobia. “According to information released by the South Korean national assembly, the number of soldiers, who were discharged due to mental diseases caused by proclivity to draft dodging and aversion to military service, stood at over 15 000 in 2016 alone, that is, five times as many as the figure in the whole period of the Lee Myung Bak regime.

America and South Korea prepare for war against North Korea Tue, April 11, 2017 U.S. and South Korean marines participate in the endurance exercise in temperature below minus 20 degrees celsius under a scenario to defend the country from any possible attacks from North Korea. Play slideshow 1 of 22

“Every year an average of over 3,400 young people seek foreign nationalities to dodge military service. “According to curtailed information published by the military, 73 percent of middle- and low-ranking officers and 85 percent of non-commissioned officers have the tendency to evade service and over 85,000 soldiers have applied for discharges from service, complaining of melancholy and other mental disorders. “The army has been reduced to an undisciplined mob.

GETTY The Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, which weighs more than 100,000 tonnes