SEOUL - On Monday, a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine arrived in South Korea, shortly after the first U.S. nuclear armed submarine had made port in the country in four decades. This move comes as the two allies aim to strengthen American strategic assets in order to deter North Korea.
The USS Annapolis docked at a naval base on South Korea's southern island of Jeju to load military supplies for an unspecified operational mission, according to the South Korean navy.
The two countries' navies have expressed their intention to strengthen the combined defense posture by welcoming the USS Annapolis. As part of this effort, they are planning exchange activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of their alliance, according to a statement released.
Last Tuesday, another significant event took place with the arrival of the USS Kentucky, a U.S. ballistic missile submarine, in South Korea. This marked the first visit of a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to the country since the 1980s.
Notably, the submarine's arrival coincided with the initiation of talks between the U.S. and South Korea aimed at coordinating responses in the event of a nuclear conflict with North Korea. These developments highlight the commitment of both allies to bolstering their strategic assets and preparedness in the face of regional security challenges.
In the backdrop of these strategic developments, North Korea took provocative actions by launching two ballistic missiles on Wednesday, shortly after the USS Kentucky's visit to South Korea. This was followed by another missile launch on Saturday, during which several cruise missiles were fired.
It's important to note that the USS Annapolis, unlike the USS Kentucky, is not nuclear-armed. Instead, it specializes in anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. In September of last year, the USS Annapolis participated in trilateral anti-submarine exercises alongside South Korea and Japan in international waters near the Korean peninsula. These exercises were aimed at enhancing cooperation and readiness among the three nations in dealing with potential security threats in the region.
The successive missile launches by North Korea and the presence of different U.S. naval assets in South Korean waters underline the ongoing complexities and security challenges in the area. As both countries continue to strengthen their combined defense posture, regional tensions remain a significant concern, and efforts towards coordination and preparedness are crucial to deter any further escalations.