South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Initiative Raises China’s Concerns

Under the agreement, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated on Friday that as part of new partnerships in shipbuilding, artificial intelligence, and nuclear industries, South Korea will build nuclear-powered submarines.

A White House fact sheet revealed that the US has approved South Korea to construct nuclear-powered attack submarines. Beyond the $150 billion investment in shipbuilding, South Korea will invest an additional $200 billion in US industry.

South Korea’s official news agency Yonhap reported that, in exchange for this investment, the US has reduced tariffs on South Korean goods from 25% to 15%.

President Lee said at a press conference, “Our most important bilateral discussions on economy and security—trade, tariffs, and security issues—have concluded. We have decided to advance nuclear-powered submarine construction.”

He further mentioned that South Korea has also received support to expand capabilities in uranium enrichment and spent fuel reuse.

According to the agreement, the two countries will collaborate through a shipbuilding task force to increase both US commercial and military-ready ships.

Yonhap reported that South Korea aims to acquire four or more nuclear-powered submarines, each with a 5,000-ton capacity, by the mid-2030s.

Analysts believe that developing nuclear-powered vessels will strengthen South Korea’s navy and defense industry and position the country among nations with advanced technological capabilities.

China’s ambassador to South Korea, Dai Bing, said on Friday, “Such a partnership is not merely commercial; it directly affects global non-proliferation control and the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the region.”

North Korea has not yet commented but is expected to react. Pyongyang has regularly accused the US and South Korea of increasing military strength along its borders.

Details about the construction location of the submarines remain unclear. US President Donald Trump had mentioned last month on social media, “South Korea will build nuclear-powered submarines at the Philadelphia shipyard here in the United States.”

However, South Korea’s National Security Advisor Woo Sung-leak stated, “During leaders’ discussions, it was assumed that construction would take place in South Korea. Therefore, the location issue is now resolvable.”