Seoul: The government of South Korea is contemplating the formation of an interagency team to develop and construct a nuclear-powered submarine, a project long desired by the nation. This initiative, disclosed by a government source, signifies a critical step towards enhancing South Korea's naval capabilities.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during a summit in Gyeongju, President Lee Jae Myung requested U.S. President Donald Trump to permit South Korea to obtain nuclear fuel for conventionally armed submarines. This move is aimed at improving the tracking of North Korean and Chinese vessels, thereby reducing the operational load on U.S. forces. In response, Trump announced via social media that he has authorized South Korea to construct a nuclear-powered submarine at a Philadelphia-based shipyard managed by Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean firm.
The multi-trillion-won project is of significant importance, prompting the government to propose an interagency team to be led by the prime minister's office. This team is expected to include members from the defense, foreign affairs, finance, industry, and science ministries, according to the source. Senior defense officials have emphasized the advantages of the submarine's enhanced underwater endurance and speed, which would bolster the country's defensive measures against North Korean threats. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has stressed the necessity for the construction of at least four nuclear-powered submarines to ensure operational effectiveness.
South Korea is poised to join the ranks of the world's nuclear-powered submarine-owning nations, becoming the eighth country to achieve this status upon the completion of the project. The development of these submarines is anticipated to span over a decade.