Nuclear-propelled US Submarine Arrives in South Korea In what remains the second deployment of a major US naval asset to the Korean Peninsula this month, a nuclear-propelled US submarine has arrived in South Korea, the country’s military said Monday.
The USS Annapolis’ arrival at a port on Jeju Island adds to the allies’ show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.
North Korea reacted to the arrival of the USS Kentucky by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles, demonstrating its capability to launch nuclear strikes against South Korea. North Koreas defence minister issued a threat, hinting that the docking of the USS Kentucky in Busan could be a reason to use a nuclear weapon against it. This rhetoric highlights the tense and strained relations between North Korea and the US-South Korea alliance, according to VoA.
The USS Annapolis, although nuclear-powered, is armed with conventional weapons and has a main mission of destroying enemy ships and submarines. It docked at Jeju Island to load supplies, and discussions between the US and South Korean militaries were ongoing about arranging training involving the vessel.
Additionally, the news report mentions an American soldier named Private Travis King, who crossed the border into North Korea. North Korea has remained silent on the matter, ignoring US requests for information about King’s whereabouts and condition. Analysts speculate that North Korea might withhold information to leverage possible concessions from the United States, such as scaling back military activities with South Korea, in exchange for King’s release.
