President Lee Jae Myung mentioned Friday that Korea has secured U.S. assist for increasing Seoul’s authority over uranium enrichment and spent nuclear gasoline reprocessing.
He described the event as a extremely vital step ahead because the nation seeks to construct its first nuclear-powered submarine.
“Korea and the USA have agreed to maneuver ahead with the development of nuclear-powered submarines, a long-standing aim for Korea and a strategic asset deemed important for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” Lee mentioned throughout a televised briefing saying the conclusion of a joint truth sheet between the 2 international locations.
“As well as, the 2 sides will discover institutional adjustments that might enable not solely U.S. industrial vessels however even U.S. Navy ships to be inbuilt Korea,” he added, calling the transfer a basis for each nations to strengthen their shipbuilding industries.
Whereas Lee didn’t instantly make clear whether or not Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine could be constructed at a Korean shipyard or within the U.S., Nationwide Safety Advisor Wi Sung-lac confirmed throughout a follow-up briefing that it might be constructed in Korea.
“All through the talks, constructing our nuclear submarine within the U.S. was not mentioned. The precondition of all conversations between the 2 leaders was that Korea’s nuclear submarine could be inbuilt Korea,” Wi mentioned. “Our request for U.S. cooperation was centered on having access to nuclear gasoline.”
The highest safety official added that there could also be partial collaboration with Washington throughout the building course of, however the general challenge will likely be primarily based on the submarine being constructed regionally.
The joint truth sheet, which outlines bilateral agreements on tariffs and safety, follows two bilateral summits between Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump, the newest of which happened on Oct. 29 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation summit in Korea.
In the course of the summit, Trump granted approval for Korea to construct a nuclear-powered submarine, including that the vessel could be constructed at shipyards in Philadelphia.
In the meantime, Lee emphasised that the joint doc reaffirmed Washington’s dedication to sustaining the presence of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and to supporting the switch of wartime operational management, often known as OPCON, again to Seoul.
“Korea emphasised its dedication to take the lead in defending the Korean Peninsula via strengthened protection capabilities and the transition of wartime operational management, and Washington expressed sturdy assist for these efforts,” the president mentioned.
Talks on regaining OPCON have been on the heart of safety discussions between the allies, with Lee aiming to finish the complete transition inside his five-year time period.
The very fact sheet additionally outlines different safety commitments, together with Korea’s pledge to boost protection spending to three.5 % of GDP “as quickly as attainable,” in accordance with home authorized necessities, although no particular timeline was supplied.
Seoul additional dedicated to spending $25 billion on U.S. army gear purchases by 2030 and to offer $33 billion in complete assist for USFK.
These pledges seem like a part of a broader effort to modernize the safety alliance, according to the U.S.’ demand for Seoul to develop its protection posture past the Korean Peninsula to the broader area.
