Trump Reveals Approval of 'Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine'... Attention on Possible Reactions from China and DPRK [South Korea–United States Fact Sheet Released]
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- 2025-11-14 12:34:13
- Updated
- 2025-11-14 12:34:13
However, in the fact sheet made public by the United States, it was stated that approval had been granted for 'nuclear-powered attack submarines' for the South Korean government, drawing attention to how neighboring countries such as China and the DPRK may respond. It remains unclear whether President Donald John Trump intentionally included the term 'attack' in the fact sheet to keep China and the DPRK in check.
The joint fact sheet released by the Trump administration on the 14th explicitly stated that the United States had approved South Korea’s construction of a 'nuclear-powered attack submarine.' It also added that the two countries would closely cooperate on matters such as nuclear fuel procurement and other business requirements. However, the U.S. administration did not disclose specific details regarding the specifications of the attack-type nuclear-powered submarine.
During the summit with President Donald John Trump on the 29th of last month, President Lee Jae Myung cautiously expressed his intention to introduce nuclear-powered submarines for defensive rather than offensive purposes, in response to submarines from China and the DPRK. This indicates a slight difference in the objectives of nuclear submarine construction between South Korea and the United States.
Currently, the attack-type submarines that South Korea is capable of building are diesel-electric submarines, such as the Jang Bogo-class, Sohn Won-yil-class, and Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarines. These submarines have been equipped with conventional weapons, not nuclear arms. It is expected that the nuclear-powered submarines to be built by South Korea will also be armed with conventional weapons.
The fact sheet released on this day excluded uranium enrichment for nuclear weapons manufacturing. Instead, it specified that, in compliance with the 123 Agreement and U.S. law, the United States would support South Korea’s 'peaceful' uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing initiatives.
Additionally, the fact sheet released by the United States did not specify the construction site for the nuclear submarine. On the 30th of last month, President Donald John Trump stated on social media that he had approved South Korea’s construction of a nuclear-powered submarine and suggested it would be built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. However, the fact sheet released by the United States on this day did not mention construction within the United States.
Wi Sung-lac, Director of the Office of National Security (ONS), clarified, "From start to finish, discussions between the South Korean and U.S. presidents were based on the premise that construction would take place in South Korea. There was no mention of discussions about construction in the United States." This means that President Donald John Trump’s statement about construction in Philadelphia was never discussed.
On the 30th of last month, President Donald John Trump stated on social media, "I have approved South Korea’s construction of nuclear-powered submarines to replace its current outdated and less agile diesel submarines. South Korea will build the nuclear-powered submarine at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard." Contrary to President Trump’s remarks, the fact sheet omitted any mention of construction at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, indicating that further consultations between South Korea and the United States are expected.
