Korea's nuclear submarine project faces hurdles despite key approval
South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines has cleared a key domestic hurdle, but securing reactor fuel from the United States remains unresolved, with legal requirements and closer congressional scrutiny threatening to complicate the project. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved the basic acquisition strategy for the Jangbogo N program Friday, setting a 2027…
South Korea's attempt to develop nuclear-powered submarines has passed a major domestic approval, but obtaining reactor fuel from the United States remains a sticking point. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) greenlit the basic acquisition strategy for the Jangbogo N program on Friday, setting a 2027 launch date with the first submarine expected to be deployed by the late 2030s.
This decision outlines how the project will move forward, not how Seoul will secure the necessary nuclear fuel. Officials believe South Korea can obtain the fuel without altering its current nuclear cooperation deal with Washington, instead seeking a separate agreement under Section 91 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act, which allows for military nuclear cooperation.
They point to the AUKUS partnership, where the U.S. and Britain assist Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, as a model for a separate agreement. However, negotiations remain ongoing.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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