South Korean Navy Chief Visits U.S. Submarine Base to Bolster North Korea Deterrence

Admiral Yang Yong-mo, Chief of Naval Operations, is seen boarding the USS Alaska (SSBN-732), the U.S. strategic nuclear submarine, receiving a salute from the crew members on February 2 (local time). /Navy

Admiral Yang Yong-mo, the first Chief of Naval Operations from the submarine force, visited the U.S. strategic nuclear submarine base in Kings Bay, Georgia, on February 2 (local time). This is the first time a South Korean Chief of Naval Operations has visited the site.

According to the Navy, on the 4th, Admiral Yang received a salute from the crew members as he boarded the USS Alaska (SSBN-732), the Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarine docked at the base that day. Afterward, he received a detailed introduction to the interior and exterior of the ship from Thomas Buchanan, the U.S. 10th Submarine Squadron Commander (Brigadier General), among others.

Kings Bay Naval Base is the home port for U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). Kings Bay, along with Vandenberg Air Force Base, is considered a key symbol of assured deterrence capabilities and will of the U.S. An SSBN, with its submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM, Trident-2 D5) alone has enough destructive power to hinder a nation. The U.S. currently operates 14 Ohio-class (18,750-ton class) SSBNs.

At Kings Bay Naval Base, Admiral Yang discussed ways to strengthen military exchange and cooperation, including strengthening coordination to deter and respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and joint training between U.S. and South Korean submarines with U.S. Navy officials.

Admiral Yang Yong-mo, Chief of Naval Operations (right), is seen taking a commemorative photo with Brigadier General Thomas Buchanan, Commander of the U.S. 10th Submarine Squadron, during his visit to the U.S. Kings Bay strategic nuclear submarine base on February 2 (local time). /Navy

Admiral Yang met with U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti the previous day at the Pentagon near Washington, DC. Admiral Franchetti stated, “The U.S. will continue to provide extended deterrence to South Korea using all categories of military capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, missile defense, and advanced non-nuclear capabilities.” She also emphasized the need to prioritize enhancing the two navies’ interoperability and combined readiness posture.

Admiral Yang stated, “The Republic of Korea and U.S. Navies will build a stronger coordination system to prepare for North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats as well as marine threats, such as submarines, through a more solid combined defense posture than ever before.”

Meanwhile, Admiral Yang will visit Canada until the 7th to discuss ways to activate military exchanges and defense cooperation between the two countries. Canada is pushing for a new submarine introduction project worth 60 trillion won (USD 50.7 billion).