Overview
- National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said he made progress in Washington meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright to speed follow-ups on civil enrichment, spent-fuel reprocessing and submarine support outlined in the joint fact sheet.
- The Defense Ministry set a roadmap to present a basic plan next year for a domestically built nuclear-powered submarine, establish safety rules and institutional groundwork, and seek to conclude talks with the United States on reactor fuel within two years.
- Seoul convened an interagency task force of 10 agencies to coordinate requirements for nuclear-powered submarine construction, reflecting the program’s treatment as a national strategic initiative.
- Officials are preparing to verify the full operational capability phase of wartime OPCON transfer by November 2026, with allied evaluations tied to major combined exercises next year.
- Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo asked China to help create conditions for renewed North Korea dialogue, President Lee urged a patient push to reduce tensions with Pyongyang and signaled the Unification Ministry’s lead role, and Foreign Minister Cho will seek an early‑2026 state visit to China and another Lee–Trump summit.