US nuclear-armed submarine making port call in Busan for first time in decades: Campbell

In this photo released by the presidential office, President Yoon Suk Yeol, third from left, holds talks with White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell, second from left, during the inaugural session of the newly established Nuclear Consultative Group between South Korea and the United States. Yonhap

A U.S. nuclear-armed submarine is currently making a port call in Busan for the first time in decades to demonstrate the U.S. extended deterrence commitment to South Korea, a White House official said Tuesday.

U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell made the remark to reporters at the presidential office after co-chairing the inaugural session of the Nuclear Consultative Group agreed by President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden in April.

"As we speak an American nuclear submarine is making port in Busan today," Campbell said, adding it is the first visit of an American nuclear submarine in decades.

The U.S. had pledged to send a nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine to South Korea in the Washington Declaration adopted by Yoon and Biden during their summit in Washington in April to further enhance the "regular visibility" of strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula.

A North Korean defense ministry spokesperson denounced the plan last week, warning it "may incite the worst crisis of nuclear conflict in practice." (Yonhap)