The U.S. State Department has established a dedicated unit for nuclear-powered submarines to facilitate discussions with the U.S. on implementing the joint fact sheet agreed upon by U.S. and South Korean leaders.
According to the State Department on Thursday, a Nuclear-Powered Submarine Negotiation Team has been set up under the Bureau of North American Affairs, which oversees U.S.-South Korea relations. The team consists of a director-level team leader and two staff members.
This team’s formation comes as the U.S. negotiating team is expected to visit South Korea in late February or early to mid-March to discuss the introduction of nuclear submarines and revisions to the nuclear cooperation agreement.
Last December, the South Korean government launched an interagency Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force (TF) led by the Ministry of National Defense, with participation from the State Department.
The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Negotiation Team will serve as a liaison with the U.S. and is expected to focus on practical preparations for a separate U.S.-South Korea agreement necessary for nuclear submarine construction.
Furthermore, the team is set to collaborate with the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Acquisition Team established last month under the Defense Policy Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense.