South Korea announced that it plans to launch its first nuclear-powered submarines by the mid-2030s.
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said during a defense meeting, “We will work to launch the first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s and push ahead with development to enter operational service in the latter half of the 2030s or later.” He added, “Nuclear-powered submarines are expected to play a key role in responding to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, based on their ability to remain submerged for an extended period with greater mobility.”
The development has been backed by the White House. “The United States welcomed the ROK’s commitment to contribute to modernizing and expanding the capacity of American shipbuilding industries, including through investments in U.S. shipyards and America’s workforce. The ROK welcomed the United States’ support for the ROK’s civil and naval nuclear power programs,” a November White House fact sheet reads. The agreement followed President Trump traveling to South Korea.
Ahead of the agreement, President Trump drew attention to the U.S.-South Korean relationship, declaring his support for the nuclear-powered submarine. “South Korea has agreed to pay the USA 350 Billion Dollars for a lowering of the Tariff’s charged against them by the United States,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in October. “Additionally, they have agreed to buy our Oil and Gas in vast quantities, and investments into our Country by wealthy South Korean Companies and Businessmen will exceed 600 Billion Dollars.”
“Our Military Alliance is stronger than ever before and, based on that, I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now,” he continued. “A great trip, with a great President of South Korea!”
