Korean Media: Why Are South Korea's Nuclear-Powered Submarines Important to U.S. Security Strategy?
U.S. Rebuilding Naval Combat Power, Building a Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain, South Korea Will Take on More Responsibility... To Establish a Nuclear Regulatory System, Institutionalize Technical Sharing and Cooperation, and Contribute to Strengthening the Alliance
The project of South Korea introducing nuclear-powered submarines (hereinafter referred to as "nuclear submarines"), which was reached through consensus between South Korea and the United States, is a significant issue in terms of strategy, technology, and geopolitics. What is the significance of this project? What preparations are needed for its successful implementation?
First, as a core ally capable of contributing to the U.S. rebuilding naval combat power, South Korea has the sufficient capability to successfully fulfill the nuclear submarine project. The South Korean shipbuilding industry leads the global ship market, from liquefied natural gas carriers to advanced warships, and has outstanding competitiveness in precision manufacturing, automation, and system integration. These capabilities are closely related to the technical requirements for building nuclear submarines. In particular, South Korea independently designed, built, and has been operating the "An Chang-ho" class submarine (KSS-III), demonstrating solid experience and capabilities in advanced hull design, air-independent propulsion systems (AIP), low-noise technology, combat system integration, and long-term underwater operational capabilities, laying a solid foundation for the implementation of this project.
Second, the design and operation of nuclear submarines can be carried out while complying with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Using low-enriched uranium (LEU) naval nuclear reactors, as France does, is a realistic option, and it could also become an opportunity for South Korea and the United States to jointly build a new generation of nuclear reactor core fuel - a production base for high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). Currently, reducing reliance on the Chinese and Russian monopolies in HALEU manufacturing supply chains is crucial for the alliance and U.S. national security. With the increasing demand for small modular reactors (SMR) and micro-reactors in both civilian and military sectors, establishing a stable HALEU supply chain based on the alliance has strategic significance. Therefore, the nuclear submarine project not only ensures combat power but can also become a turning point in building a new generation of nuclear fuel supply chains led by the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
Third, in the increasingly fierce maritime rivalry, South Korea having nuclear submarines provides geopolitical and military legitimacy. North Korea is enhancing its threat level by developing nuclear weapons, ballistic missile submarines, and special operations infiltration platforms as underwater combat forces. In this context, nuclear submarines are essential combat power for providing underwater operational continuity and survivability. South Korea's advanced military capabilities and taking on more responsibilities will also have a positive impact on the U.S. alliance modernization strategy.
To introduce a South Korean nuclear submarine, several measures need to be taken urgently. First, a specialized nuclear safety regulatory system needs to be established domestically. South Korea has already established the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSSC), modeled after the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and possesses world-class civil nuclear regulatory capabilities. Since the nature of the naval nuclear propulsion system is completely different from that of civilian nuclear power plants, an independent regulatory system must be established, based on existing experience, to ensure trust in the long-term operation of the nuclear submarine. Under the AUKUS framework, Australia is currently working on reorganizing its military nuclear regulatory system to introduce nuclear-powered submarines, which is a model that South Korea can refer to.
Second, South Korea and the United States should establish a cooperation system at the treaty level or between government departments to institutionalize technical sharing and cooperation. Although the scope of cooperation in areas such as submarine nuclear reactor design may be limited, there is great potential to expand cooperation in front-line areas that concentrate on combat systems, acoustic equipment, and information systems. If the navies of the two countries design their combat systems, data structures, and interfaces to be compatible, the effectiveness of post-combat analysis, information sharing, and joint warfare learning will be significantly improved. This cooperation also aligns with the U.S. direction of rebuilding a technology-centered industrial base recently proposed in the National Defense Strategy (NDS).
Finally, the selection of the location for building the South Korean nuclear submarine should not be limited to technical issues, but should take into account political, strategic, and industrial factors comprehensively. During the design and construction of nuclear submarines, the approach of sharing some processes with American shipyards can widely expand the industrial base and reduce supply chain risks, thereby providing substantial advantages politically and in the alliance. For example, the Hanwha Philadelphia Shipyard can become a symbolic hub where South Korean industrial capabilities combine with American labor and facilities, which is in line with the U.S. Navy's ongoing exploration of a decentralized, modular construction approach for next-generation ships.
Seoul and Washington should start discussing how to build the most suitable technological cooperation and industrial layout for this project, i.e., the "optimal layout." Only when strategic goals, political judgments, and industrial interests are consistent from the beginning can the introduction of nuclear submarines succeed. This will become a decisive turning point in strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original: toutiao.com/article/1857274478556172/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.