Queen Elizabeth cancels planned stop in Busan amid Covid-19 concerns

The UK Royal Navy's aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth , has cancelled its planned port call in Busan amid concerns over the growing number of Covid-19 cases across South Korea.

The matter was confirmed by the South Korean Ministry of National Defense in a statement on 25 August.

Instead of calling at Busan, Queen Elizabeth will be conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief-oriented exercises with the Republic of Korea Navy in South Korean waters from 30 August to 1 September, the ministry added.

Queen Elizabeth is the lead vessel in the Royal Navy's (RN's) Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21), which is currently on a tour of 40 countries, including Japan, India, and Singapore.

Accompanying Queen Elizabeth are the Daring-class destroyers HMS Diamond and HMS Defender , the Duke-class frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond , the Tide-class fleet tanker RFA Tidespring , and the Fort-class replenishment ship RFA Fort Victoria .

On 11 August an Astute-class submarine that is also part of CSG21 arrived in Busan ahead of Queen Elizabeth's anticipated port call.

Also joining the RN vessels in CSG21 is the Royal Netherlands Navy air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen , and the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS The Sullivans .