U.S. Military Pressure

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The US Pacific Command says that a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine had made port of call at Korea's Jinhae Port on Saturday. US B-1B bombers are flown to the Korean Peninsula at a frequency of about twice a month while US nuclear subs are taking turns to appear in waters near the peninsula. The recent deployment is seen as a strong warning to North Korea.

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The United States Navy's nuclear-powered attack submarine that arrived in South Korea's Jinhae Port is named the USS Tucson. The USS Tucson is equipped with the most advanced stealth capabilities as well as 12 vertical launch missile tubes for Tomahawk cruise missiles and four torpedo launchers. It's also known for its superb performance in striking, surveillance and reconnaissance operations against other submarines and vessels. The USS Tuscon left Jinhae after being replenished with supplies. A Korean military official also said the nuclear-powered guided missile submarine, the USS Michigan will arrive at Busan Port this weekend. Earlier this week on Tuesday evening, the U.S. again flew its long range B-1B strategic bombers over to the Korean Peninsula.

[Soundbite] Moon Seong-mook(Korea Research Institute for Nat'l Strategy) : "The series of nighttime deployments of B-1B bombers is believed to showcase South Korea's and the United States' capabilities to strike North Korea at any time and also to further advance that ability."

An official at the Korean presidential office said the B-1B bomber drill was part of a rotational deployment of strategic assets between the two allies. The Korean military also said the U.S. bombers will be deployed to the peninsula with a regularity of about every two to three weeks from now on. The U.S. military appears to be stepping up pressure on North Korea to the highest degree.