South Korea eyes first nuclear submarine by mid-2030s, but hurdles run deep
Delayed US talks, non-proliferation concerns and budget pressures stand in the way of Seoul’s bid to boost its defence, analysts say
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Lee on Tuesday urged faster efforts to secure the submarines, describing them as core strategic assets for the country’s future defence capabilities.
“We need to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence and drone technologies, while speeding up the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, which are core strategic assets for future defence capabilities,” Lee said during a meeting with defence officials.
AdvertisementHe described the envisioned submarines as “a symbol of our will to take responsibility for peace and security on the Korean peninsula”.
The comments come as Allison Hooker, US undersecretary of state for political affairs, is expected to lead an inter-agency delegation to Seoul in the coming weeks to launch bilateral working groups aimed at implementing agreements reached at last year’s summit between Lee and US President Donald Trump.
AdvertisementThose agreements included US cooperation on Seoul’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines – a long-sought capability that would allow South Korea’s navy to remain under water much longer than its diesel-powered fleet but would also require sensitive arrangements over nuclear fuel and safeguards.
Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back briefed Lee on a government plan to launch the country’s first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s – a move that could reshape Asia’s security landscape and add to concerns over regional military competition.
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