Overview
- Trump said on Truth Social that he approved South Korea’s pursuit of a nuclear-powered submarine and named Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania as the construction site.
- Seoul welcomed the statement and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said South Korea will launch working-level talks with Washington to make swift progress, while stressing the country is not seeking nuclear weapons.
- Experts and officials said the U.S.–ROK nuclear cooperation pact restricts military uses, indicating that amendments or a separate arrangement, export approvals, and IAEA/NSG compliance will be needed.
- Hanwha Philly Shipyard and Hanwha Ocean currently lack nuclear-sub construction capability, requiring major upgrades and investment before any build could begin.
- South Korean defense leaders outlined a long timeline and scale, estimating roughly a decade to field the first boats and signaling a potential need for about four, as China urged adherence to nonproliferation obligations.