Overview
- South Korea welcomed the statement and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul will pursue working-level consultations with Washington for swift progress.
- Trump specified the Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania as the construction site, though the facility does not currently build submarines.
- The U.S.–Korea civilian nuclear accord limits military use of U.S.-origin nuclear material, so fuel supply and propulsion transfers would require new agreements and safeguards.
- Company and expert assessments say the shipyard would need major upgrades and technology transfers before any nuclear submarine work could begin.
- South Korean navy leaders estimate roughly a decade to field the capability, and China publicly urged both countries to uphold nonproliferation obligations.