Archive · 25 Dec 2025
South Korea, US Agree on Nuclear Submarine Deal
South Korea and the United States have agreed to work on a new deal that will allow South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines.
They will start talking about the details early next year.
South Korea wants to use low-enriched uranium for these submarines and has promised not to use highly enriched uranium.
Meanwhile, North Korea is also building a nuclear-powered submarine and sees South Korea's efforts as a threat to its security.
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has called South Korea's plan a violation of their maritime sovereignty and has emphasized the need to advance North Korea's own submarine program.
Both countries are considering talking to North Korea again next year, but they haven't decided on specific plans yet.
South Korea and the US agreed to pursue a separate agreement for nuclear submarine cooperation.
Working-level talks will begin early next year to formalize Seoul’s right to build nuclear-powered submarines.
South Korea aims to use low-enriched uranium (20% or less) and has committed to non-proliferation.
North Korea is advancing its own nuclear-powered submarine program, viewing South Korea's efforts as a threat.
Both countries are considering reviving talks with North Korea possibly around the first half of next year.
- Who
- South Korea, the United States, and North Korea
- What
- Agreement to pursue a separate deal for nuclear submarine cooperation and North Korea's advancement in building a nuclear-powered submarine
- When
- Working-level talks to begin early next year; North Korea's submarine progress revealed recently
- Where
- Discussions held in Washington, D.C.; North Korea's submarine construction at an unspecified shipyard
- Why
- To formalize South Korea's right to build nuclear-powered submarines and accelerate commitments from a joint fact sheet, while North Korea aims to strengthen its nuclear war deterrent
South Korea and the US
North Korea
Nuclear Submarine Development
South Korea and the US
South Korea and the US are pursuing a separate agreement for nuclear submarine cooperation, with South Korea aiming to build nuclear-powered submarines using low-enriched uranium and committing to non-proliferation.
North Korea
North Korea is advancing its own nuclear-powered submarine program, which it claims is a critical step in modernizing and arming its navy with nuclear weapons, viewing South Korea's efforts as a violation of its security and maritime sovereignty.
- Countries Involved
- South Korea, United States, North Korea
- Agreement Type
- Separate agreement for nuclear submarine cooperation
- Key Officials Involved
- Wi Sung-lac (South Korea), Marco Rubio (US), Chris Wright (US)
- Uranium Enrichment Level
- 20% or less
- Timeline for Talks
- Working-level talks to begin early next year
- Non-Proliferation Commitment
- South Korea committed to non-proliferation
- Potential North Korea Talks
- Considered for first half of next year
- North Korea's Submarine
- 8,700-tonne class nuclear-propelled submarine
- North Korea's Stance
- Views South Korea's efforts as an offensive act violating its security and maritime sovereignty
