Gyeongju: South Korea's initiative to obtain nuclear-powered military submarines advanced on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged Seoul's requirement for these advanced submarines. Earlier, during a summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, President Lee Jae Myung requested that Trump permit South Korea to acquire fuel for nuclear-propelled submarines, highlighting the limitations of South Korea's conventionally-powered submarines.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump agreed on South Korea's need for nuclear-powered submarines and called for follow-up discussions. Currently, South Korea's military operates a fleet of diesel submarines that require regular refueling, unlike nuclear-propelled submarines that can remain submerged for extended periods and evade detection from adversaries.
Yu Ji-hoon, a research fellow at the state-run Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, explained the significance of submarines being able to remain underwater for extended durations. He emphasized that in terms of stealthiness and effectiveness, nuclear submarines are unparalleled.
Seoul has considered the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines for some time, even attempting to secretly build one in 2003 during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. However, the plan was abandoned after it became public.
While South Korea is capable of constructing conventional submarines, it faces technological challenges in building nuclear-powered ones, such as developing a small nuclear reactor that fits inside them. A military official noted that the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has conducted extensive research on commercial nuclear reactors and small modular reactors, suggesting that while it is not impossible, it will require time.
Under the allies' nuclear energy pact, Seoul is permitted to enrich uranium below 20 percent for peaceful purposes with U.S. consent. South Korea has been seeking to amend the pact to gain more flexibility in reprocessing spent nuclear fuel and enriching uranium. Regarding the fuel for nuclear-powered submarines, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac stated that adjustments to the current treaty would be necessary to accommodate military purposes.
If South Korea succeeds in acquiring the necessary fuel for nuclear-powered submarines, it is anticipated that it will take approximately 8 to 10 years for their development and deployment.