South Korean nationwide safety adviser Wi Sung-lac speaks to reporters after touchdown at Dulles Worldwide Airport close to Washington, DC, on Dec. 16, 2025. (Yonhap)
South Korea’s nationwide safety adviser mentioned Tuesday that he’ll discover the potential for making a separate bilateral settlement with the US relating to Seoul’s push to construct nuclear-powered submarines, citing the US’ pact with Australia for instance.
At present within the Washington for follow-up discussions on the joint truth sheet launched by the US and Korea final month, Wi Sung-lac additionally touched on the latest battle between the Unification Ministry and the Ministry of International Affairs over jurisdiction relating to North Korea coverage, saying, “If we’d proceeded based on the selections of the Nationwide Safety Council [NSC], issues could be higher now,” whereas declining to enter element.
Addressing Korean reporters at Dulles Worldwide Airport close to Washington, DC, Wi defined that his present go to to the US was to “maintain discussions on the senior stage relating to the implementation of sure phrases talked about within the joint truth sheet concerning the US-South Korea summit.”
“I intend on discussing how we’ll carry out the position of pacemaker and the way we’re to search out our method going ahead,” the nationwide safety adviser informed reporters.
Concerning Seoul’s plan to construct nuclear-powered submarines, which Trump gave the OK for following a summit with the Korean president in October, Wi referenced the Australian mannequin.
“We are able to predict how issues will go primarily based on the Australian mannequin. With Australia, the US granted an exception below Part 91 of the US Atomic Vitality Act of 1954. For that to occur, we’d like a separate settlement,” he mentioned.
“We might find yourself requiring the identical factor, so I plan on discussing that chance,” he added.
Underneath the trilateral AUKUS framework with the US and the UK, Australia was granted an exemption below Part 91 of the US Atomic Vitality Act — which permits the transport of nuclear materials for navy use with authorization by the president — below a separate settlement, permitting them to bypass prior nuclear agreements.
Concerning a bilateral consultative physique with the US to assist Korea’s pursuit of a nuclear submarine, Wi mentioned, “We’re making preparations on our finish. I’ll assess what the US is doing on their finish.”
“Whereas there haven’t but been talks on launching consultative our bodies for various points, I’ll attempt to discover a technique to velocity issues alongside,” he mentioned.
Wi is predicted to debate measures to speed up implementation of different agreements made in the course of the summit as nicely, akin to the potential for South Korea enriching uranium and reprocessing spent nuclear gas.
“So as to add political weight to issues, I figured it’d be good to go to the US and maintain senior-level talks,” Wi mentioned. “Safety points additionally want direct communication between the White Home and the presidential workplace to hurry issues up.”
Concerning the enrichment of uranium and nuclear reprocessing, Wi mentioned that the agreements had been made inside a “massive framework,” making follow-up discussions mandatory.
“If mandatory, we are able to modify sure laws and even change them,” he mentioned.
Wi mentioned that he’ll keep in Washington till Thursday. Throughout his go to, he’s anticipated to speak with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who can be interim nationwide safety adviser, and US Secretary of Vitality Chris Wright, in addition to individuals on the working stage within the White Home and State Division. He’ll return to South Korea after stopping in New York, the place he’s scheduled to fulfill with UN officers to debate Korean Peninsula points.
Concerning the present standing of South Korea’s alliance with the US, Wi mentioned that the comparatively good ambiance between the 2 sides in comparison with different US alliances may very well be seen as an “alternative.”
“South Korea is within the class of ‘mannequin ally,’ so the ambiance isn’t unhealthy,” he mentioned.
When a reporter questioned whether or not North Korea continues to be a high precedence for the US, Wi responded that it hadn’t essentially been placed on the again burner.
“What we’ve been specializing in is the stabilization of relations with neighboring international locations. And there are enhancements in that space. Comparatively, we now have not seen ample progress within the realm of inter-Korean relations, so I’ll pursue enhancements in that space,” he mentioned.
Concerning the latest battle between South Korea’s Unification Ministry and International Ministry, Wi mentioned, “There might be variations of opinion throughout the administration relating to overseas coverage and nationwide safety points. There are additionally constructive variations, however they’re being sorted by the Nationwide Safety Council.”
Wi mentioned that there had been discussions throughout the NSC about factors for dialogue with the US relating to the problem. “There have been lengthy discussions, and thru a lot debate, issues have been sorted,” he mentioned.
“If issues had proceeded based on these determinations, we’d be in a greater scenario now,” he added.
When a reporter requested if the Unification Ministry had veered off monitor, he mentioned, “I received’t go into particulars. We had discussions, and issues had been sorted out.”
By Kim Received-chul, Washington correspondent
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