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US to grant South Korea exception on nuclear submarine fuel supply
Seoul to formalise right to build nuclear-powered submarines via Aukus-style waiver requiring approval from Trump and US Congress
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South Korea and the US have agreed to pursue a separate agreement to formalise Seoul’s right to build nuclear-powered submarines, and working-level talks will begin early next year, the Asian country’s national security adviser said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after visiting Washington, Wi Sung-lac said he discussed the issue and other security arrangements with senior US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
His trip was aimed at accelerating the implementation of commitments outlined in a joint fact sheet released after a summit between President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump in October, including cooperation on enriched uranium, spent fuel reprocessing and nuclear-powered submarines.
“We agreed that a separate agreement is necessary for nuclear submarine cooperation and decided to pursue it,” Wi said at a briefing.
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The new pact would be treated as an exception, which would require approval by Trump and US Congress.
South Korea is seeking to equip submarines with a reactor using low-enriched fuel at levels of 20 per cent or less, and has no plans to adopt highly enriched uranium, he said, adding that he had highlighted Lee’s commitment to non-proliferation.
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A working-level US delegation is likely to visit Seoul early next year to follow up on the agreements listed in the joint fact sheet, and both sides will set some milestones for performance reviews later next year, Wi said.
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