Overview
- President Trump said he approved South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine and identified Hanwha's Philadelphia shipyard as the construction site.
- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul will pursue working-level talks with the United States to make swift progress following the leaders’ summit in Gyeongju.
- A government source said South Korea is considering an interagency team led by the prime minister’s office to steer the multi‑trillion‑won project.
- Officials and experts cite major hurdles under the U.S.–ROK 123 agreement, potential U.S. congressional review, IAEA and Nuclear Suppliers Group safeguards, and unresolved reactor fuel choices such as HEU versus HALEU.
- Hanwha confirmed the Philadelphia yard currently lacks capability to build submarines, while South Korean defense leaders project roughly 10 years to field the first boats and say at least four would be needed for viable operations; China urged adherence to nonproliferation obligations.