A South Korean shipyard started providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for a US Navy vessel on Tuesday, the first time Seoul has been able to undertake this sensitive work.

The United States has begun looking for overseas shipyards for its navy to use as concerns rise over the expansion of China’s fleet and potential conflicts in the Taiwan Strait.

Under current protocols, war-damaged American ships must return to facilities in US territory for repairs.

The US government has long considered localising repair operations to shipyards closer to conflict zones as it could significantly hasten the vessels’ return to active duty.

US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro this year visited shipyards in Washington’s key Asian security allies South Korea and Japan, saying the United States should look to use them more.