The Navy recently submitted a document to the Joint Chiefs of Staff outlining the need for the programme and setting out requirements. These include desired capabilities, the number of systems needed and projected deployment schedules.
The document was provided to Representative Kang Dae-sik of the main opposition People Power Party. The Joint Chiefs of Staff are reviewing the Navy’s proposal and are expected to hold a meeting later this month to finalise the requirements.
Once the requirements are approved, the programme would normally move to preliminary research and feasibility studies. It would then proceed to consultations with budget authorities on overall project costs before entering the development phase.
The United States has approved South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered attack submarines under a joint fact sheet released after a summit between the allies’ leaders. Washington also committed to working with Seoul on requirements for the project, including possible ways to source fuel.
The move is seen as part of Seoul’s effort to accelerate the nuclear-powered submarine project after months of delays in negotiations with Washington on implementing the summit agreements. The summit document also commits the United States to supporting South Korea in securing the right to enrich uranium and reprocess spent fuel.
Allison Hooker, U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs, is expected to visit Seoul in the coming weeks to launch bilateral working groups on the summit agreements. Her visit has raised expectations that talks on the allies’ security commitments could gain momentum.
South Korea’s military has reportedly been conducting a preliminary review of plans to build at least four 5,000-tonne-class nuclear-powered submarines after the mid-2030s. The vessels would be powered by small nuclear reactors.
However, it remains unclear how Seoul would meet fuel-sourcing requirements for the submarines. To acquire nuclear propulsion capabilities, South Korea would need a special agreement with the United States allowing the transfer of nuclear material for military use.
Seoul is expected to announce a roadmap for the nuclear-powered submarine programme soon. The plan is expected to outline the programme’s defensive nature, its role under international non-proliferation obligations and its development timeline.
