Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers remarks during a visit to the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) in July 2023 (Photo Credit: US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Chen)
USAG Humphreys, Republic of Korea – In line with the historic outcomes of the US – Republic of Korea (ROK) Washington Declaration and in conjunction with the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group, the United States hosted ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol onboard the US Navy Ohio class ballistic-missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) in Busan today.
Cara Abercrombie, Coordinator for Defense Policy and Arms Control at the US National Security Council; General Paul LaCamera, Commander United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and US Forces Korea; Joy Sakurai, US Charge d’affaires; and Vipin Narang, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, toured the USS Kentucky with President Yoon and Mrs. Kim Keon Hee, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, and National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong.
The delegation received a briefing on the submarine’s capabilities and its contributions to US extended nuclear deterrence and the ROK – US Alliance’s combined defense posture.
The USS Kentucky’s port visit to Busan reinforces the United States’ enduring and ironclad commitment to extended deterrence and maintaining the capabilities necessary to ensure any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK would be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response.
The USS Kentucky is homeported in Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor, Washington, and provides the United States with its most survivable leg of the nuclear triad.
The above press release was originally published by US Navy on 19 July 2023.
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