South Korea Proposes Building Nuclear Submarines to the U.S., Citing the Need to Counter China – Media: No Practical Negotiations with the U.S. Before Announcing Assurance of Nuclear Fuel… The Key Lies in Convincing Trump

¬ Launch of South Korea’s "Jang Bogo N" Nuclear Submarine Project

The South Korean Ministry of Defense announced on the 26th that it will advance the development of a nuclear-powered submarine project named "Jang Bogo N," with plans to launch the first vessel in the mid-2030s and achieve full combat capability by the late 2030s. However, some analysts point out that since U.S. President Donald Trump declared in late October last year that "South Korea has been approved to build nuclear submarines," there has been little actual progress on concrete implementation.

The South Korean government revealed on the same day that it would use low-enriched uranium (LEU) as nuclear fuel. Yet, over the past six months, no face-to-face practical negotiations have taken place—negotiations essential for securing fuel supply. It was only on the 20th that the South Korean Foreign Ministry stated, "We have decided to hold an initiation meeting regarding the import of nuclear fuel," adding that a U.S. delegation is expected to visit South Korea within several weeks. In other words, the first formal negotiation session will not occur until mid-next month. As such, voices have emerged suggesting, "The South Korean government may have released this announcement unilaterally due to concerns about upcoming local elections, without sufficient prior consultations with the United States."

Experts believe that technology for constructing small-scale nuclear reactors has already advanced significantly within South Korea. There are even claims that it has reached a level where land-based testing is possible. The critical issue lies in acquiring fuel, as highly enriched uranium (HEU)—which does not require refueling—can also be used for nuclear weapons development, raising concerns among some about potential nuclear proliferation from South Korea's acquisition of nuclear submarines. The South Korean government asserts that it will establish a cooperation system with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), responsible for monitoring nuclear proliferation, to fulfill its non-proliferation obligations during the process of acquiring low-enriched uranium. However, obtaining LEU still requires American assistance.

Under the current South Korea-U.S. nuclear energy agreement, even if South Korea attempts to enrich uranium to concentrations below 20%, it must undergo high-level bilateral consultations with the U.S. and obtain American approval. If importing LEU from the U.S., additional support from the U.S. Congress is required under American nuclear energy law. Although there are reports that the South Korean government is considering a cooperative approach with France—which possesses the "Suffren-class" nuclear submarines based on LEU—the diplomatic source said: "This would only be feasible if South Korea were fully prepared for a complete breakdown in relations with the U.S."

The South Korean government stated on the same day that the nuclear submarine would be developed and built domestically. However, President Donald Trump still holds the power to halt this plan. After their summit meeting in late October last year, Trump stated, "South Korea has been approved to build nuclear submarines," and added, "They will be constructed at the shipyard in Philadelphia, U.S." Yet, when summarizing the outcomes of the November 2023 South Korea-U.S. summit meeting, the joint statement issued by both countries made no mention of the construction site. It is reported that the South Korean Ministry of Defense has not received clear U.S. approval for building nuclear submarines domestically.

There are also differing perceptions between South Korea and the U.S. regarding the purpose of introducing nuclear submarines. President Yoon Suk Yeol described nuclear submarines as "the core of independent defense capabilities," while Defense Minister An Kuk-hyun emphasized that they would play a "central role in countering North Korea’s threats involving submarine-based nuclear weapons and missiles." Conversely, after the joint briefing last year, acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim stated, "We must address common challenges," referencing China’s presence in the West Sea as a background factor justifying the approval of nuclear submarine procurement.

Regarding Australia, which recently obtained permission to acquire nuclear submarines through establishing a trilateral security partnership (AUKUS) with the U.S. and the U.K., a diplomatic source remarked: "As far as I know, Australia has clearly signaled its firm stance to actively counter China in the South Pacific." A South Korea-U.S. relations expert familiar with Washington noted: "It will be very difficult to gain assistance in acquiring nuclear submarines unless South Korea participates in actions aimed at containing China."

As South Korea formally moves forward with efforts to introduce nuclear submarines, opposition from countries such as North Korea, China, and Russia may intensify. Following South Korea’s announcement of advancing the nuclear submarine program, China’s Foreign Ministry immediately expressed concern, stating, "We hope South Korea and the U.S. earnestly fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation obligations," while Russia also voiced a similar position. Japan has begun discussing the possibility of acquiring nuclear submarines as well.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866308155036675/

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