Washington: US President Donald Trump announced that South Korea has received approval to build its first nuclear-powered submarine, a move that marks a major step in the two nations’ defense partnership.
Trump made the statement while meeting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during his Asia tour. According to Trump, the submarine will be built at the Philly Shipyard in the United States, which has ties with a South Korean company.
President Lee requested American support for securing fuel used in nuclear-powered submarines. He also asked the US to consider easing restrictions on South Korea’s ability to reprocess spent nuclear fuel, which is currently limited under existing agreements.
The announcement reflects growing cooperation between the US and South Korea at a time of rising regional tensions. Both leaders also discussed trade and security matters, including lower tariffs on Korean products and stronger coordination against North Korea’s expanding missile program.
However, many details about the submarine project remain unclear. The United States has not yet confirmed what kind of technology or fuel it will share, and the plan may require changes to existing nuclear agreements between the two countries.
Experts say the move could significantly strengthen South Korea’s naval capabilities. Nuclear-powered submarines can stay underwater much longer than diesel-powered ones, allowing them to operate more quietly and effectively.
At the same time, the decision could cause concern in the region, especially in China and North Korea, where officials may view it as a military escalation. North Korea has been working on its own submarine programs with suspected support from Russia.
Analysts believe that if the project goes forward, it would deepen the US–South Korea alliance and mark a major shift in Asia’s security balance. But they also warn that sharing nuclear propulsion technology raises sensitive questions about nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation.
For now, the two countries have not announced a timeline for building or launching the submarine. Observers are watching closely to see whether this plan will lead to a broader defense and trade partnership in the coming months.