South Korea plans to commission its first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s.
The announcement was made by the country’s Minister of National Defense, Ahn Gyu-back.
According to the minister, the new submarine will operate using low-enriched uranium fuel, with the development and production process to be carried out domestically in South Korea.
Ahn Gyu-back stated that the project will involve close cooperation with the United States to ensure a stable supply of nuclear fuel, as well as collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on nuclear non-proliferation oversight.
The project is regarded as part of Seoul’s broader strategy to strengthen regional security capabilities and expand its maritime operational capacity.
