Korea's nuclear submarine project faces hurdles despite key approval

South Korea's endeavor to construct nuclear-powered submarines has passed a significant domestic checkpoint, yet the acquisition of reactor fuel from the United States remains unresolved. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) endorsed the foundational acquisition strategy for the Jangbogo N program on Friday, setting a commencement date of 2027 with the intent of deploying the inaugural submarine by the late 2030s.

This decision delineates the trajectory of the project but does not address the issue of procuring the necessary nuclear fuel. A defense acquisition official stated that Seoul is confident in securing submarine fuel without necessitating any amendments to its existing nuclear cooperation pact with Washington. Instead, the government is pursuing an alternate arrangement under Section 91 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act, which facilitates military nuclear cooperation.

The official referenced the AUKUS partnership, wherein the U.S. and Britain are aiding Australia in procuring nuclear-powered submarines, as a precedent for a separate agreement. However, negotiations have yet to yield a definitive resolution to this challenge.