Archive · 7 Nov 2025
South Korea Seeks US Uranium for Domestic Submarine Construction
South Korea wants to build its own special boat that runs on nuclear power, like a big submarine.
They want to build it in their own country.
To make it work, they need special fuel, like enriched uranium, and they're asking the United States for help getting it.
This is a bit confusing because a former U.S. president had said it would be built in America.
South Korean officials think building it at home is smarter because they are good at building big ships.
The rules between the two countries currently say South Korea can't make this kind of nuclear fuel for military things.
So, everyone is talking and trying to figure out the best way to make it happen, including what words to use in official papers.
South Korea seeks to obtain enriched uranium from the United States for its planned nuclear-powered submarine.
Seoul intends to build the nuclear-powered submarine domestically, according to a South Korean presidential official.
This position contrasts with previous comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated approval for the submarine to be built in a Philadelphia shipyard.
Current U.S.-South Korea agreements restrict Seoul from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel or enriching uranium for military purposes.
Discussions between the U.S. and South Korea are ongoing regarding significant security issues, including nuclear-powered submarines, with ongoing adjustments to wording for joint fact sheets.
- Who
- South Korean presidential official, President Lee Jae Myung, US President Donald Trump, White House spokeswoman
- What
- South Korea's request for enriched uranium from the U.S. for a domestically built nuclear-powered submarine, amidst differing statements on construction location.
- When
- Last week (summit talks), Friday (official's statement), Thursday (White House spokeswoman's comment).
- Where
- South Korea and the United States (specifically mentioning Philadelphia Shipyards).
- Why
- To clarify and align plans for South Korea's potential nuclear-powered submarine development, with South Korea seeking fuel from the U.S. while preferring domestic construction.
Donald Trump
South Korean Officials
Location of Submarine Construction
Donald Trump
Stated approval for South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine at a South Korean-owned shipyard in Philadelphia.
South Korean Officials
Intends to build the submarine domestically and sought U.S. assistance with nuclear fuel.
Discussions and Feasibility
Donald Trump
Comments on social media implied approval and a specific US location for construction.
South Korean Officials
South Korean officials questioned the feasibility of building at the Philly Shipyard and stated that building domestically would be more rational. Also indicated that the issue of building submarines in South Korea had not yet been discussed between the two countries.
- Proposed Submarine Type
- Nuclear-powered submarine
- Proposed Fuel Source
- Enriched uranium from the United States
- Proposed Construction Location
- South Korea (domestically)
- Existing Agreement Constraint
- South Korea is not allowed to reprocess spent nuclear fuel or enrich uranium for military purposes.
- US Shipyard Mentioned
- Hanwha Philly Shipyard
