South Korea and U.S. Move Towards Nuclear Submarine Agreement

In a significant development in international military collaboration, South Korea and the United States have reached an understanding to pursue a distinctive agreement that will enable Seoul to develop nuclear-powered submarines. According to South Korea’s national security adviser, working-level discussions are scheduled to commence early next year.

Discussions in Washington

Wi Sung-lac, South Korea’s national security adviser, made this announcement following discussions in Washington, where he engaged with high-ranking U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The primary aim of his visit was to expedite the commitments outlined in a joint statement released post the recent summit between South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump.

This joint statement underscored a commitment to collaboration on various issues, including the development of enriched uranium, spent fuel reprocessing, and the establishment of nuclear-powered submarines.

Agreement on Cooperation

During a briefing, Wi emphasized, “We agreed that a separate agreement is necessary for nuclear submarine cooperation and decided to pursue it.” This upcoming pact would be classified as an exception, necessitating approval from both President Trump and Congress.

In pursuit of this goal, South Korea aims to equip its submarines with reactors utilizing low-enriched fuel, specifically maintaining levels of 20 percent or less. Wi clarified that Korea has absolutely no intention of using highly enriched uranium, further assuring that President Lee is committed to non-proliferation standards.

Next Steps for Implementation

Looking ahead, a U.S. working group is expected to visit Seoul in early 2024 to address the commitments mentioned in the joint statement. The discussions will also aim to establish specific milestones for future performance reviews later in the year, according to Wi.

Conclusion

The proposed agreement marks a pivotal moment in the defense collaboration between South Korea and the United States, reflecting their ongoing efforts to strengthen security measures in the face of regional challenges.