On Tuesday, a United States ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) armed with nuclear capabilities made a historic visit to South Korea, marking the first such visit since the 1980s.

This visit comes as the two allies engage in talks to coordinate their responses in the event of a nuclear conflict with North Korea.

Kurt Campbell, the White House Indo-Pacific coordinator, officially confirmed the long-awaited visit during a briefing in Seoul, Reuters reported.

The joint declaration announcing the submarine visit was made during a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden in April.

Campbell informed reporters, “An American nuclear submarine is currently docking in Busan today. This is the first visit by an American nuclear submarine in decades.”

He further added that he was attending the inaugural Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) discussion with South Korean officials, an initiative aimed at enhancing coordination between the allies regarding a potential nuclear response to a North Korean conflict.

The establishment of the NCG was also announced during the April summit, addressing the growing calls within South Korea for the development of its own nuclear weapons—a move that the United States opposes.

North Korea, which recently test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), strongly criticized the NCG on Monday, accusing it of openly discussing the use of nuclear weapons.

The North Korean regime also warned against allied plans to increase displays of military force, including the submarine visit.

While the specific submarine was not disclosed by Campbell, he emphasized that its visit exemplifies the United States’ unwavering commitment to South Korea’s defense.

South Korea’s defense ministry later confirmed the submarine’s arrival and identified it as the USS Kentucky, an Ohio-class SSBN.

Written by staff