North Korea puts on show for US sub
Largest military drill yet as submarine docks in the South
SEOUL // North Korea marked a military anniversary with an enormous firing drill yesterday as a US guided-missile submarine docked in South Korea amid tensions over Pyongyang’s weapons ambitions.
The exercise, the North’s largest yet, was overseen by president Kim Jong-un, according to government sources.
It took place as the nuclear- powered USS Michigan, a guided- missile submarine capable of launching cruise missiles, arrived at a southern South Korean port yesterday.
South Korea’s navy said it had no plans for a joint military drill with the submarine.
Meanwhile, envoys from the United States, Japan and South Korea met in Tokyo to discuss the growing threat posed by the North’s nuclear weapons and missiles programme. Washington has also sent aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to the Korean Peninsula. It is expected to arrive by the end of the week.
The vessel will take part in joint naval drills with the South’s forces to demonstrate Seoul and Washington’s determination to deter Pyongyang. They will take place in the Sea of Japan.
The two allies also began joint naval exercises in the West Sea yesterday.
According to the US navy, the USS Michigan carries more than 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of precision strikes against the North’s nuclear plants. North Korea, meanwhile, has ambitions to build a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the US mainland.
Pyongyang’s rhetoric always intensifies in the spring, when Seoul and Washington hold joint military drills that the US says are rehearsals for an invasion.
The North promised retaliatory air, land and sea strikes in the event of US action. North Korea launched two missile tests this month, while Donald Trump and his senior aides have said that all options are on the table against Pyongyang, including military action. Mr Trump on Monday urged UN Security Council ambassadors to consider stronger sanctions against Pyongyang.
Secretary of state Rex Tillerson will be leading a Security Council meeting on the North on Friday.