US reinforces presence in South Korea with deployment of another submarine amid tensions with North Korea

livemint.com:

A nuclear-powered US submarine has reached South Korea in the second deployment of a significant US naval asset to the Korean Peninsula this month, as reported by South Korea's military on Monday. As reported by AP, the arrival of the USS Annapolis at a port on Jeju Island comes approximately a week after the USS Kentucky docked at the mainland port of Busan. This deployment serves as a display of strength and solidarity between the allies to deter potential nuclear threats from North Korea.

The recent arrival of the USS Kentucky, the first US nuclear-armed submarine to visit South Korea since the 1980s, elicited a response from North Korea. In reaction to the submarine's presence, North Korea conducted test-firings of ballistic and cruise missiles, seemingly to showcase its capability of launching nuclear strikes against South Korea. Additionally, North Korea also deployed US naval vessels in response to the situation.

During the period between the missile launches, North Korea's defence minister issued a thinly veiled threat, suggesting that the docking of the USS Kentucky in South Korea could potentially be considered a reason for the North to employ a nuclear weapon against its neighbour. Although North Korea has employed similar rhetoric in the past, this statement highlights the significant strain in the current relations between the two countries. The USS Annapolis, which is primarily tasked with neutralizing enemy ships and submarines, operates using a nuclear reactor but is equipped with conventional weaponry.