Wi Sung-lac: "South Korea and the United States Agree on Separate Nuclear Submarine Pact... U.S. Working Group to Visit Early Next Year"

[Financial News] On the 24th, Wi Sung-lac, Chief of the Office of National Security (ONS), announced that South Korea and the United States had agreed on the need for a separate agreement regarding cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines. As early as the beginning of next year, a U.S. working group will visit South Korea to discuss issues including nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment, and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.
During his briefing at Chunchugwan, Wi Sung-lac shared these updates. He had visited the United States of America (USA), Canada, and Japan from the 16th to the 22nd and explained the outcomes of those discussions. With the relocation of Cheong Wa Dae nearing completion, Wi became the first to hold an official briefing at the newly reopened Chunchugwan on the 22nd.
Wi stated, "It has been just over a month since the South Korea–United States relations joint fact sheet was released on November 14. My visit to the United States was to implement follow-up measures in the security sector outlined in the fact sheet." He added, "I met with key U.S. officials, including Marco Antonio Rubio, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, and Christopher Allen Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy."
He particularly emphasized, "Both sides agreed on the necessity of a separate agreement regarding cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines and decided to pursue this initiative."
Wi continued, "Regarding enrichment and reprocessing, I conveyed the President’s commitment to nonproliferation to the U.S. side and stressed that our capabilities in the unstable global uranium market are a strategic cooperation issue for the energy security of both countries." He also noted, "There was a clear consensus that the leaders’ agreement should be implemented swiftly."
Starting with the U.S. working group’s visit early next year, South Korea and the United States plan to begin substantive discussions on security matters included in the fact sheet. Separate consultations will be held on nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment, and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.
Wi Sung-lac explained, "During the consultations between South Korea and the United States early next year, we will address key issues such as enrichment, reprocessing, and nuclear-powered submarines." He added, "We will conduct follow-up reviews, likely during high-level meetings."
He elaborated, "For example, if discussions begin in January, we plan to review progress at a high-level meeting in the spring or summer, and then again in the fall. Next year is also an election year in the United States, so we must proceed with this in mind. The U.S. shares this sense of urgency."
Wi Sung-lac also mentioned that low-enriched fuel will be used in nuclear-powered submarines. He said, "The nuclear-powered submarine we are pursuing is envisioned to be equipped with a reactor using low-enriched fuel, which is defined as fuel with an enrichment level below 20%. We have no plans to introduce highly enriched fuel."
Regarding his visit to Canada, he explained, "This was a follow-up to the South Korea–Canada summit held during the APEC 2025 Korea (APEC) meeting in Gyeongju at the end of October." He added, "During meetings with Canadian officials, we mainly discussed security and defense industry cooperation between the two countries." Wi also noted that during his visit to Japan, "I met with Minoru Kihara, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Motegi Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Ichiba, Director of the National Security Secretariat." He emphasized, "We agreed on the need for both countries to work together not only to maintain shuttle diplomacy but also to ensure stable South Korea–Japan relations."
Addressing recent disagreements between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification (MOU) over North Korea policy, Wi Sung-lac remarked, "The United States and Japan are also aware of these inter-ministerial differences and sometimes ask which position represents the South Korean government."
He said, "What matters is coordination within the National Security Council (NSC). Divergent opinions can exist in any field and can be constructive, but it is best not to display confusion externally." He continued, "The President has clarified many issues, and moving forward, we will strive to coordinate and integrate the diverse views of various ministries through NSC discussions, presenting a unified government position with 'one voice.'"
cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun, Sung Seok-woo Reporter