South Korean military officials have released the construction schedule for a nuclear submarine, with plans to launch it between 2035 and 2040.

Korean media: South Korean military reports to the president that "nuclear submarines can be launched between 2035 and 2040"

With the South Korea-US summit talks advancing the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines into a substantive stage, the South Korean military has for the first time proposed an explicit schedule. If the US approves the supply of nuclear fuel, South Korea could build submarines using its own technology, with the launch expected in the mid-to-late 2030s.

On the 4th, the South Korean military reported at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung that, "substantial progress has been made in resolving the core issue of fuel security through South Korea-US consultations, laying the foundation for the project."

Yeon Jong-dae (音), head of the Department of Resource Management of the South Korean Ministry of Defense, said, "We are currently mastering key technologies required for building submarine reactors, armament systems, etc., and promoting safety verification," and "in conventional (traditional) submarine fields, South Korea already possesses world-leading design and construction capabilities."

Yeon Jong-dae further pointed out, "If national efforts are concentrated, it is entirely feasible to build nuclear-powered submarines with our own technology," and "if we can secure fuel supply through negotiations with the US side and start construction before 2030, the launch of the first ship is expected to be completed between 2035 and 2040."

The government also plans to establish a cross-departmental task force responsible for the design and construction of nuclear submarines. Yeon Jong-dae revealed, "We will promote the establishment of a practical consultation mechanism involving South Korea and US diplomatic and defense departments to advance fuel supply negotiations, and form a government-level specialized team at the national strategy level."

Currently, although South Korea and the US have reached a consensus on the overall direction of the nuclear submarine project, specific details still need further discussion. US President Trump recently revealed, "South Korea will build nuclear submarines at the Philadelphia Shipyard in the United States," while the South Korean government responded that the relevant matters have not been finally determined yet.

Source: JoongAng Daily

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847940290801676/

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