This Time, the Missouri Nuclear-Powered Submarine

Santa Feham Arrival at Busan Naval Base About 3 Weeks After Initial Entry

Amid rising concerns over North Korea's potential launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine USS Missouri (SSN-780) has arrived at Busan Naval Base.

On the 17th, the Navy stated, "With the arrival of the USS Missouri, we plan to enhance exchange and cooperation between the South Korean and U.S. navies and further strengthen the combined defense posture." The USS Missouri, belonging to the U.S. Pacific Fleet's Submarine Squadron 1, is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine measuring 115 meters in length, 10 meters in width, and with a full-load displacement of 7,800 tons. It can dive up to 250 meters and reach a maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km/h).

Equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and MK48 torpedoes, the submarine is known to have a crew of about 130. The arrival of a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine follows approximately three weeks after the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine USS Santa Fe docked at Jeju Base on the 22nd of last month. According to the Navy, this is the first time a Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine has publicly docked since the USS Mississippi (SSN-782) visited Jeju Naval Base in 2017. The USS Missouri is scheduled to load supplies at the Busan base.

Earlier, in July, South Korea and the U.S. launched the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG). Last month, during the 55th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), both countries agreed to operationalize commitments to "regularly enhance the visibility of U.S. strategic assets" and "extended deterrence shared by South Korea and the U.S." Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, arrived in the U.S. on the 14th of this month (local time) to attend the second NCG meeting and told reporters, "I believe there is a possibility of North Korea launching an ICBM in December as well."