Historic Approval Granted During APEC Summit
In a landmark decision with significant geopolitical implications, United States President Donald Trump has granted approval for South Korea to develop and build nuclear-powered submarines. The announcement came on Thursday, October 30, 2025, via President Trump's Truth Social platform, following a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum held in Gyeongju, South Korea.
This approval represents a major departure from decades of US resistance to Seoul acquiring nuclear propulsion for military purposes, a stance previously maintained under the ROK-US Atomic Energy Agreement.
Strategic Rationale and Construction Details
South Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines is driven by a long-standing ambition to enhance its naval capabilities, particularly in response to the growing military presence of North Korea and China in the region. President Lee Jae Myung emphasized that South Korea seeks conventionally armed, nuclear-powered vessels, not nuclear-armed ones, to overcome the limited submerged endurance of its current diesel-electric fleet. These advanced submarines would significantly improve South Korea's ability to track and counter undersea activities.
President Trump stated that the new nuclear-powered submarines would be constructed in the Philadelphia Shipyards in the United States. This shipyard was acquired last year by South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group, specifically Hanwha Ocean. Hanwha Ocean has reportedly committed to a '$5 billion infrastructure plan' to upgrade the facility and boost its production capacity.
Broader Agreement and Geopolitical Ramifications
The submarine deal is integrated into a comprehensive trade and defense package between the two allies. As part of this agreement, South Korea has pledged to pay $350 billion to the United States in exchange for reduced tariffs, commit to substantial investments in US industries, and increase purchases of American oil and gas.
The decision to share sensitive nuclear submarine propulsion technology, previously extended only to the United Kingdom and, more recently, Australia under the AUKUS agreement, underscores the deepening military cooperation between Washington and Seoul. While strengthening the alliance, this move is expected to reshape the strategic balance in Northeast Asia and could prompt reactions from regional powers like China and Japan, potentially accelerating their own naval modernization efforts.
5 Comments
Raphael
A necessary step to counter China's expansion. Bold and strategic.
Michelangelo
While South Korea definitely needs to bolster its defenses against regional threats, granting nuclear submarine technology feels like a significant gamble. It could easily provoke unintended responses from other powers.
Leonardo
It's understandable that South Korea wants advanced capabilities to ensure its sovereignty, especially with growing threats. But the transfer of nuclear propulsion technology sets a new precedent that could destabilize non-proliferation efforts globally.
Michelangelo
More military spending instead of diplomacy. A recipe for disaster.
Leonardo
Sharing nuclear tech is incredibly reckless. What about proliferation?