Yonhap reported a U.S. nuclear submarine calling at a port in South Korea

The US nuclear-powered submarine USS Columbia has entered the port of Busan to replenish supplies and give rest to the crew. This was reported by Yonhap on Nov. 18, citing the South Korean navy (Navy).

"The submarine USS Columbia, which weighs 6,000 tons, entered the naval base in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul," the agency informed.

The navy said it plans to conduct "friendly exchanges" with crew members of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine during their stay as part of efforts to strengthen the joint defense posture of allied navies.

Earlier on Nov. 4, the U.S. and South Korea reached a preliminary nuclear cooperation agreement. The two countries reportedly strengthened the administration of export controls on civilian nuclear technology.

U.S. and South Korean Presidents Joe Biden and Yun Seok-yol approved guidelines back on July 11 to establish an integrated extended deterrence system on the Korean Peninsula to counter threats allegedly posed by the DPRK. This agreement makes the deployment of Washington's nuclear forces on the peninsula official.