Seoul: Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back emphasized the military importance of nuclear-powered submarines in South Korea's defense strategy against North Korea's nuclear threats.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn's comments followed President Lee Jae Myung's request to U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance in securing nuclear fuel for submarines during their recent summit. This request marked President Lee's first public acknowledgment of the need for South Korea to develop nuclear-powered submarines.
Earlier, President Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he had approved the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine for South Korea, describing it as more advanced compared to traditional diesel-powered submarines. The construction is set to take place in shipyards located in Philadelphia.
Ahn explained to lawmakers during a parliamentary audit that nuclear-powered submarines offer superior underwater endurance and speed compared to diesel submarines, which is crucial in countering North Korea's advancements. He also mentioned that South Korea has the necessary expertise to build such submarines, contingent on U.S. cooperation for securing nuclear fuel.
Addressing President Trump's statement about the submarine being constructed in the U.S., Ahn highlighted the need for further bilateral discussions to finalize the details.
Additionally, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kang Dong-gil projected that it would take approximately 10 years for South Korea to construct a nuclear-powered submarine if the plan is integrated into the Changbogo-III Batch-III class submarine project. Construction could be completed by the mid-2030s, should the decision be made soon.