South Korea's military has begun the formal process of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines. This report is based on a Navy document released amid little progress in security talks with the United States (US) regarding Seoul's push for the project.
The South Korean Navy recently submitted a document to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) containing the program's requirements, including the desired capability specifications, the number of systems needed, and the projected deployment schedule, according to a document provided to lawmaker Kang Dae-sik of the main opposition People Power Party.
The United States has previously approved South Korea's construction of nuclear-powered attack submarines and committed to working with Seoul to meet the project's needs, including fuel procurement channels, according to a joint fact sheet released after the summit between the two leaders.
As reported by ANTARA from Yonhap, Wednesday, May 20, the JCS is currently reviewing the Navy's proposal and is scheduled to hold a meeting at the end of this month to finalize the project's needs.
After the project needs are determined, the program will usually continue with initial research and feasibility studies, followed by consultations with the relevant budget authorities on the total project cost before entering the development phase.
The move is seen as part of Seoul's efforts to accelerate its nuclear-powered submarine project after months of delays in follow-up negotiations with Washington on implementing the results of the two countries' summit.
The document of the summit also includes ASuntuk's commitment to support Seoul in obtaining uranium enrichment rights and reprocessing of used nuclear fuel.
US Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker is scheduled to visit Seoul in the coming weeks to launch a bilateral working group to implement the agreement of the summit.
The visit raised hopes that talks between the two countries on security commitments could progress.
South Korea's military has reportedly conducted preliminary studies to build at least four 5,000-ton class nuclear-powered submarines after the mid-2030s.
However, it is still unclear how the South Korean military will meet the procurement needs for fuel for the submarine, which will use a small nuclear reactor as a power source.
To obtain nuclear propulsion capabilities for the submarine, South Korea needs to sign a special agreement with the United States that allows the transfer of Washington's nuclear material for military purposes.
Seoul is expected to announce soon a roadmap for the nuclear-powered submarine program that will explain the defensive nature of the program, its role in accordance with international nonproliferation obligations, as well as the project implementation schedule.
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