Nuclear-powered USS Mississippi arrives in South Korea

SEOUL, June 13 (UPI) -- A nuclear-powered U.S. submarine arrived at the South Korean port city of Busan on Monday.

The USS Mississippi, a Virginia-class attack submarine, made its first visit to South Korea as part of its maiden voyage to the Asia-Pacific, according to the U.S. military.

"With a crew of approximately 141 sailors, the Mississippi will conduct a multitude of missions while maintaining proficiency of the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet," Submarine Group Seven said in its statement.

Volunteering in South Korea, including leisure activities with children from a local orphanage and assistance with facility maintenance will also mark the goodwill visit, the military said in its statement.

The USS Mississippi's visit comes months after the United States deployed a B-52 strategic bomber and four F-22 stealth jets to South Korea in January and February, Yonhap reported.

North Korea had condemned the United States for the B-52 deployment and threatened a "nuclear response" for the action, although the United States often has sent B-52 and B-2 bombers to South Korea over the decades.

The USS Mississippi is expected to take part in joint drills with South Korea military during its stay.

Prior to the drills, some U.S. crewmembers said they were interested in exploring a new country and "experiencing the indigenous food and local market life."

The submarine weighs about 7,000 tons and provides support during anti-submarine, anti-surface operations, the military said.