The Presidential Workplace has revealed the rationale for the delayed announcement of the “Joint Reality Sheet” containing particulars of Korea-U.S. tariff and safety negotiations.
The delay is because of safety points, together with the development of nuclear-powered submarines, and the workplace has reaffirmed its place to construct the submarines domestically.
The workplace defined that safety sector discussions between the 2 international locations had been accomplished with out disagreement earlier than the Korea-U.S. summit held in the course of the APEC summit interval, and thru the summit, tariff negotiations have been additionally dramatically concluded, resulting in the pursuit of a Joint Reality Sheet that may mix each sectors directly.
Nevertheless, it revealed that the announcement timing was delayed throughout extra discussions as nuclear-powered submarines requested by the Korean aspect have been added as a brand new safety subject in the course of the summit.
A Presidential Workplace official mentioned they just lately acquired communication from america stating that “the overview course of amongst related departments must be performed additional and extra opinions from some departments have to be collected.”
The Presidential Workplace then clarified that nuclear-powered submarines can be constructed domestically.
A Presidential Workplace official said, “Within the dialogue between the 2 leaders of Korea and america, it was mentioned that submarines can be in-built Korea.”
The official added that the submarines can be pursued in a fashion the place the submarine hulls and reactors are manufactured domestically whereas extremely enriched uranium for the reactors can be equipped by america.
The official added, “In accordance with my information, there have been components the place President Lee mentioned we’d construct it right here.”
The official continued, “The gasoline part was agreed to be equipped by america, and we perceive that the reactor might be developed and put in by us,” explaining that “it’s not essentially specified that extremely enriched uranium have to be used.”
A Presidential Workplace official conveyed the environment, saying, “If america accepts the textual content that was beforehand agreed upon between Korea and the U.S. even now, it may be documented instantly, but when the U.S. aspect requests new textual content, it appears the time till announcement may very well be longer.”
Concerning the opportunity of constructing Virginia-class submarines, the official mentioned, “That will be troublesome to view as appropriate for our circumstances,” including “This can be very costly, about twice the worth we’re contemplating. We have to develop our personal mannequin that matches Korea’s safety wants and is appropriate for Korean waters’ topography.”
