U.S. to send nuclear ballistic submarines to dock in S.Korea

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Presidents Joe Biden and Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday will sign an agreement that includes plans to have U.S. nuclear-armed submarines dock in South Korea for the first time in more than 40 years, a conspicuous show of support to Seoul amid growing concern about nuclear threats by North Korea, according to senior Biden administration officials.

The planned dock visits are a key element of what's being dubbed the "Washington Declaration," aimed at deterring North Korea from carrying out an attack on its neighbor. It is being unveiled as Mr. Biden is hosting Yoon for a state visit during a moment of heightened anxiety for both leaders over an increased pace of ballistic missile tests by North Korea over the last several months.

In return for the submarines, three senior White House officials said South Korea will reaffirm its commitment to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, known as the NPT, which bars countries from developing their own nuclear weapons.

The three senior Biden administration officials, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity ahead of the official announcement, said that aides to Mr. Biden and Yoon have been working on details of the plan for months and agreed that "occasional" and "very clear demonstrations of the strength" of U.S. extended deterrence capabilities needed to be an essential aspect of the agreement.