US Strategic Nuclear Submarine Makes First Port Call on Korean Peninsula Since 1981

Afternoon of the 18th: SSBN Kentucky Docked at Busan Port
'Regular Deployment of Strategic Assets' Agreed by Korea-US Leaders
Lee Jong-seop: "Show Extended Deterrence Implementation Through Actions"

The U.S. Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) has made a port call on the Korean Peninsula for the first time in 42 years since 1981.

The Ministry of National Defense announced that the USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) arrived at Busan Naval Base on the afternoon of the 18th. The Kentucky is the twelfth Ohio-class SSBN and can carry about 20 Trident II ballistic missiles. With a hull length of around 170 meters, it is considered one of the largest SSBNs in the world.

US Strategic Nuclear Submarine (SSBN) 'USS Maine' Arrives at Guam Base [Photo by US Pacific Fleet]

This visit by a U.S. SSBN to Korea is the first in 42 years since 1981. It was carried out under close prior coordination between the South Korean and U.S. defense authorities as part of realizing the "regular deployment of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula," agreed upon in the "Washington Declaration" during the summit between President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden last April.

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop emphasized, "The deployment of an SSBN to the Korean Peninsula is an action that demonstrates the United States' firm commitment to extended deterrence for the Republic of Korea," adding, "It shows North Korea the overwhelming capability and posture of the alliance, and to our citizens and the international community, it demonstrates the solid ROK-U.S. combined defense posture."

The commander of the U.S. SSBN Kentucky stated, "The visit of the U.S. strategic nuclear submarine is to show the people of the Republic of Korea the U.S.'s ironclad extended deterrence commitment based on the 'Washington Declaration,'" and added, "We will continue to strengthen cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. to effectively respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense plans to discuss measures to enhance the U.S. extended deterrence execution capability during the USS Kentucky's port call at Busan Naval Base.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.