Overview
- A senior defense official said the lead vessel could launch in the mid-to-late 2030s if reactor fuel is secured through talks with Washington and construction begins in the late 2020s.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed President Trump's approval and pledged coordination with the State and Energy departments.
- Seoul plans an interagency task force, with officials saying core reactor and weapons systems technologies are secured and safety verification is in progress.
- Trump suggested building at Hanwha’s Philadelphia Shipyard, yet analysts note the yard lacks submarine-specific infrastructure and clearances, warning U.S. processes and upgrades could add about ten years.
- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said decisions on location and construction remain under negotiation and reiterated South Korea will not seek nuclear arms as experts flag broader regional escalation risks.