The USS Connecticut, a U.S. Navy ultramodern nuclear-powered attack submarine, is anchored at Yongho-dong naval base in Busan.

Korean military authorities said on Monday that the USS Connecticut, the second of three U.S. Seawolf-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, has been moored at a pier of the Korean Navy's 3rd Fleet in Busan since Wednesday for an eight-day stay for maintenance and replenishing.

The Seawolf class was developed in 1990 to replace the Los Angeles class, the U.S. Navy's main nuclear-powered attack submarines. The ultramodern subs are considered the world's most powerful, far superior to the Los Angeles-class vessels in terms of attack and underwater operational capabilities.

Los Angeles-class subs have anchored at Korea naval bases before, but this is the first visit by a Seawolf-class vessel, provoking much public curiosity. Some experts believe that the Connecticut, which is under the command of the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet, may have made its sudden appearance at the Korean Peninsula on a special mission. Typically only U.S. Pacific Fleet submarines stop in Korea.

After entering port last Wednesday, the crew of the Connecticut played a friendly athletic game with Korean submarine sailors and took in a cultural tour of the Busan area. Military authorities said that senior Korean submarine officers toured the vessel at the invitation of its officers.

The Connecticut is expected to depart Busan on Wednesday. There is much speculation as to why the submarine entered the Yongho-dong base, where it can be easily seen by the public, instead of other bases such as Jinhae where submarines can be shielded from public view.

"It seems that they decided to give their crew time to relax, including a little tourism, to help them get over the fatigue of an extended period underwater. They also seem to intend to show something to North Korea and China," a Korean military officer said.

The US$3 billion Connecticut can carry torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can hit targets more than 1,300 km away with high accuracy. The sub features high-level stealth capabilities to make it hard for the enemy to detect. It also has the ability to drop off commandos in enemy territory and can gather intelligence by intercepting enemy communications.

(englishnews@chosun.com )