USS Vermont arrives at South Korea's Busan Port
The U.S. Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine USS Vermont has increased military engagement in the region with a port visit to Busan, South Korea. The visit comes amid rising tensions fueled by North Korea's missile tests.
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The South Korean Navy announced that the USS Vermont (SSN-792) has arrived in Busan, where it stopped for supplies and crew rest. The 7,800-ton nuclear submarine conducted various operations around the Korean Peninsula before arriving in Busan.
This port visit marks the first time the USS Vermont has visited South Korea. The increased military activity in the region comes as North Korea has recently resumed missile launch tests. On September 19, North Korea announced that it had successfully test-fired a tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a 4.5-ton super-large warhead and an upgraded strategic cruise missile.
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in stated in a declaration on September 20 that the Korean Peninsula is in its most dangerous state since the Korean War in the 1950s, and he called for dialogue between the North and the South.
Cooperation and joint military exercises between the South Korean and U.S. militaries continue in the face of growing threats. The visit of the USS Vermont is seen as an indicator of the strengthening defense ties between the two countries.