South Korea and the United States have agreed to advance a separate agreement on nuclear-powered submarine cooperation and plan to initiate working-level consultations in early 2024. Kim Man-soo, head of South Korea's National Security Office, said that both sides had "practical and in-depth" discussions on relevant security arrangements based on the joint statement released during APEC, and both agreed that it was necessary to sign a separate agreement on nuclear-powered submarines to provide legal authorization space for the U.S. Although the U.S. Atomic Energy Act generally prohibits the transfer of nuclear materials for military purposes, South Korea is seeking an exception through a separate agreement, similar to Australia's nuclear submarine cooperation with the U.S. under the AUKUS framework. Kim also emphasized that Seoul will uphold its non-proliferation commitments, considering only low-enriched uranium of less than 20% for nuclear submarine fuel, and not involving highly enriched uranium. A U.S. working-level delegation is expected to visit South Korea in early 2024 to advance the arrangements outlined in the joint statement. Both sides will also accelerate discussions on uranium fuel supply as a "strategic partnership" issue, and assess progress through high-level meetings next year.
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