Gyeongju: President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday requested U.S. President Donald Trump to permit South Korea access to fuel for nuclear-powered submarines, while committing to enhance defense spending to strengthen the nation's military capabilities. Lee's appeal came during their summit in Gyeongju, marking a significant point in South Korea's ongoing efforts to amend its bilateral nuclear energy agreement with the United States.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee emphasized the necessity for South Korea to secure nuclear submarine fuel in order to advance its military autonomy. He urged President Trump to direct his administration to prioritize discussions on the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, a move that could potentially provide Seoul with the flexibility needed in its nuclear endeavors. Concurrently, Lee committed to increasing South Korea's defense budget, aiming to fortify national defense capabilities amidst regional security challenges.