South Korea is taking steps to develop its first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s
South Korea is set to develop a nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s to enhance its defense capabilities against underwater threats from North Korea.
South Korea is set to unveil its inaugural nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s, as part of a new defense initiative aimed at enhancing its response to North Korea’s increasing underwater missile and submarine capabilities, officials announced on Tuesday.
The government in Seoul states that the program aims to position the country among a select few nations operating nuclear-powered submarines, a development that could notably shift the strategic balance in East Asia and intensify competition beneath the seas.
President Lee Jae Myung informed a defense policy committee that the project demonstrates the nation’s commitment to maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula, emphasizing that it will advance in collaboration with the South Korea–US alliance.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated that the submarine will utilize low-enriched uranium as its power source and will be built domestically, leveraging South Korea’s well-established capabilities in nuclear technology, naval engineering, and defense manufacturing. He also stressed that the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons as part of the program.
The initiative will depend on collaboration with international safeguards, incorporating oversight and guidance from the International Atomic Energy Agency, to guarantee adherence to global non-proliferation standards. Seoul has committed to collaborating closely with Washington throughout the process of securing fuel supplies.
The plan has generated a sense of optimism within South Korea’s industrial sector, with hopes that it could open significant opportunities for the nation’s advanced manufacturing and maritime industries.
Officials expect the initial vessel to be ready for launch in the mid-2030s. Once operational, nuclear propulsion would enable the submarine to stay submerged for significantly longer durations and function with enhanced range and flexibility in comparison to current diesel-powered models.
The announcement arrives amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, as Seoul persists in bolstering its defense capabilities in reaction to changing regional security threats.
