The Pentagon has released photos of submarine commanders from South Korea, the United States and Japan aboard the first U.S. strategic nuclear submarine (SSBN) carrying tactical nuclear warheads.
In a photo released by the United States today (4th), Rear Admiral Lee Su-yeol, commander of the ROK Navy Submarine Command, Brigadier General Rick Schiff, commander of the US 18th Submarine Battle Group, and Vice Admiral Tawara Tateki, commander of the submarine fleet of the Japan Sea Self-Defense Force, visited the US military base in Guam on 7 March and boarded the SSBN "Main Ship" together.
"This flight reflects our special relationship with the Republic of Korea and Japan and our ironclad commitment to each alliance," Schiff said, "and this strategic nuclear submarine is a highly efficient, reliable and decisive element of the U.S. nuclear deterrent."
This is the first time that a ROK submarine commander has boarded a U.S. SSBN in operation like this, and it is also the first time that a submarine commander from the three countries has jointly boarded a submarine commander from the three countries.
The United States' appointment of our military commander to SSBNs, one of the most secret assets among nuclear forces, demonstrates the strength of the ROK-US alliance and sends a strong warning to North Korea, which continues its nuclear and missile provocations.
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(Photo=U.S. Department of Defense· Courtesy of DVIDS, Yonhap News)