The United States raised no particular objection to the domestic construction of nuclear-powered submarines during recent follow-up security consultations on the joint fact sheet (JFS) from the latest South Korea-US summit, according to officials.
"The consultations were conducted based on the understanding that the nuclear submarines will be built in South Korea," a Foreign Ministry official told reporters Monday. The US side reportedly made no separate mention regarding the construction location. On the independent development of nuclear submarine reactors, the official said, "We explained that the nuclear submarines would be built with our own technology, and the US side understands it that way," adding, "We did not get the impression in these consultations that the US side held a different view."
South Korea and the US held the first meeting of the JFS security follow-up consultations in Seoul on the 2nd and 3rd of this month. For this, a US delegation led by Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, visited South Korea. The two sides agreed to hold consultations soon and produce tangible results.
"South Korea and the US share the same view that nuclear submarines are an important alliance-level capability for South Korea to take a leading role in defending the Korean Peninsula," the official explained. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also assessed South Korea's acquisition of nuclear submarines at the Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) on May 30, saying it would "impose strategic dilemmas on potential adversaries."
Regarding consultations on securing the right to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel, the two sides are expected to first discuss key issues before reviewing specific methods. In connection with this, three options are being discussed: a full revision of the South Korea-US nuclear agreement, a partial revision of some provisions, or the establishment of a new implementing arrangement rather than revising the agreement.
However, the US Congress and some think tanks are concerned about the possibility of nuclear proliferation. The official stressed, "The South Korean government has a clear goal of expanding the South Korea-US nuclear partnership and strengthening its status as a responsible country in global non-proliferation by securing enrichment and reprocessing rights for peaceful civilian purposes."
