North Korea vows to punish provokers after US submarine docks in South
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North Korea Warns US Over Nuclear Sub's South Korea Visit
Above: The USS Carl Vinson anchored at a South Korean naval base on Nov. 22, 2023. Image copyright: Song Kyung-Seok/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
The USS Alexandria, a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine from the US Pacific Fleet, made its first port call to Busan, South Korea on Monday for resupply and crew rest, marking a key military deployment in the region.
North Korea's defense ministry on Tuesday strongly condemned the move, reportedly characterizing the submarine's presence as a "clear expression of the US invariable hysteria for confrontation" and a grave security threat.
Commissioned in 1991, the USS Alexandria is a 6.9K-ton fast-attack submarine designed to track and engage enemy vessels. It carries conventional weapons — rather than nuclear warheads — and possesses a crew of 143.
The Spin
Anti-North Korea Narrative
The submarine's visit is a necessary show of force in support of South Korea; it demonstrates unwavering commitment to defending allies against North Korean threats and ensures readiness in response to provocative actions. The presence of US strategic assets serves as a crucial deterrent against potential aggression.
Pro-North Korea narrative
The US submarine's presence constitutes a dangerous provocation that threatens regional stability and peace. This military deployment near North Korean territory represents an explicitly hostile act that could escalate into armed conflict. Such actions justify North Korea's pursuit of enhanced nuclear capabilities for self-defense.