U.S. Mulls Naval Options Against N.Korea

The U.S. is considering sending an aircraft carrier group into North Korean waters if there are any further provocations from the renegade regime.

A government source on Monday said the U.S. is considering "a wide range of options" in addition to the latest show of force when B-1B bombers buzzed the North Korean coast. "This includes a U.S. aircraft carrier group crossing over the Northern Limit Line."

The NLL is the de facto maritime border separating the two Koreas drawn up unilaterally by the U.S. at the end of the Korean War.

Such an armada typically includes a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with 80 fighter jets on board, four to five Aegis destroyers and cruisers and two nuclear-powered submarines.

One is to take part in naval drills with South Korean Aegis destroyers and submarines next month, probably led by the USS Ronald Reagan, which is part of the 7th Fleet.

South Korean and U.S. military officials are also considering deploying B-2 stealth bombers and F-22 stealth fighters to the Korean Peninsula if North Korea resorts to further provocations.

The B-2 stealth bombers can carry 16 B61/B83 nuclear bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles or be loaded with GBU-57 MOP or "bunker buster" missiles that can strike targets 60 m underground.