Washington: US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has given approval to South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine. This development positions South Korea to join a select group of nations with such advanced naval capabilities.
According to Thai News Agency, the announcement came through Trump’s social media post, in which he detailed that the submarine will be constructed at a shipyard in Philadelphia. South Korean companies have been ramping up their investments in this region. The president also mentioned South Korea’s agreement to purchase substantial quantities of US oil and gas, marking a significant move in the bilateral trade relations.
During a meeting in Seoul on Wednesday, Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung secured a trade deal, though the talks were reportedly tense. A key point of contention was South Korea’s interest in recycling spent nuclear fuel, a process that currently requires US consent under an existing agreement. South Korea is keen on enhancing its nuclear capabilities for energy production, but it faces restrictions due to this bilateral agreement.
Trump’s statement highlighted his approval for South Korea to transition from its current diesel-powered submarines to more advanced nuclear-powered ones. However, he did not disclose the source of the propulsion technology for these submarines. The United States has previously shared nuclear submarine technology only with the United Kingdom and is currently engaged in a similar project with Australia, involving technology transfer.
President Lee emphasized during the meeting that enabling South Korea to build and operate nuclear-powered submarines armed with conventional weapons would alleviate some of the defense responsibilities currently shouldered by the US military. He also requested Trump’s backing for South Korea’s aspirations to reprocess spent nuclear fuel or enrich uranium, steps that are currently off-limits under their nuclear agreement. Past South Korean administrations have faced US resistance in pursuing nuclear-powered submarines.
This move marks a significant shift in the US stance, as previous American administrations had consistently opposed South Korea’s ambitions in this domain.