Top US Admiral Says Korea’s New Sub Should Keep China in Check

The US wants South Korea to eventually deploy its newly approved nuclear-powered submarines to help counter China’s rapidly expanding fleet, calling it a responsibility expected of a key ally, according to a top US admiral.

“Utilization of that submarine for countering China, I think is a natural expectation with that type of capability,” Admiral Daryl Caudle, chief of US naval operations, said in Seoul on Friday. He spoke hours after both nations released a fact sheet that put in writing US consent for South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines.