The United States plans to deploy an Aegis-class guided missile destroyer in the East Sea in September. The U.S. Navy said the deployment is part of U.S. efforts to set up an anti-missile shield against possible attacks from countries like North Korea.

In a speech in Washington, Navy Secretary Gordon England said the destroyer would remain in the East Sea "on a virtually continuous basis" as "part of the president's directive to accelerate the fielding of a ballistic missile defense operational capability."

The destroyer is equipped to track potential enemy missiles.