A launch ceremony for South Korea’s first 3,600-ton-class naval submarine takes place at a Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Geoje, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Oct. 22, 2025. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Korea Bizwire) – The government is considering establishing an interagency team of relevant ministries to develop and build a long-coveted nuclear-powered submarine, a government source said Friday.
During their summit in Gyeongju on Wednesday, President Lee Jae Myung openly asked U.S. President Donald Trump to allow his country to secure nuclear fuel supplies for conventionally armed submarines to better track North Korean and Chinese vessels, saying it would ease the operational burden for U.S. forces.
Trump said in a social media post early Thursday that he has given South Korea approval to build a nuclear-powered submarine at a Philadelphia shipyard, run by South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean.
Given the gravity of the multi-trillion-won project, the government is considering establishing an interagency team, led by the prime minister’s office. The team will also comprise the defense, foreign affairs, finance, industry and science ministries, the source said.
Senior defense officials have said the envisioned submarine’s increased underwater endurance capabilities and speed will help the country better respond to North Korean threats, with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back highlighting the need for four or more nuclear-powered submarines for operational viability.
South Korea is expected to become the world’s eighth country to own a nuclear-powered submarine upon completion of the envisioned vessels that are expected to take 10 years or longer to build.
(Yonhap)
