The South Korean Navy has officially initiated the process to acquire a Korean-style nuclear-powered submarine by submitting a requirements document, marking the first step in this ambitious endeavor.
According to documents submitted to Rep. Kang Dae-sik of the National Defense Committee on Wednesday, the Navy recently filed the requirements document with the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
This document outlines crucial details such as operational performance, concepts, required quantities, and timelines for the new submarine fleet. It’s the initial phase in the complex acquisition process.
The JCS is currently reviewing the Navy’s proposal and plans to finalize the requirements decision at a joint chiefs meeting later this month.
Following the JCS’s decision, the standard procedures will involve feasibility studies, preliminary research, and budget discussions, ultimately leading to system development.
Simultaneously, the Ministry of National Defense is drafting special legislation for nuclear-powered submarines. This move aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework, as current laws are insufficient for this groundbreaking military application of nuclear technology. The special law could potentially streamline the acquisition process.
The nuclear submarine project gained traction after President Lee Jae Myung proposed it during a summit with then-President Donald Trump last October, receiving a positive U.S. response.
Sources indicate that the government plans to construct a nuclear-powered submarine using domestic technology. The proposed vessel would displace around 5,000 tons and use low-enriched uranium fuel (below 20% enrichment) to minimize proliferation concerns. The construction timeline is estimated at about ten years, pending final agreements with the U.S.
Six months post-summit, both nations officially launched a working-level group to discuss nuclear fuel rod specifications.
The State Department reports that U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Allison Hooker will soon lead an interagency delegation to South Korea for a kickoff meeting to establish the bilateral working group.
On Tuesday, the State Department announced the outcomes of talks between South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and Deputy Assistant Secretary Hooker in Washington, D.C. They confirmed plans to launch a bilateral working group to implement agreements reached during President Trump’s anticipated October 2025 visit to South Korea.
The South Korean government aims to unveil its Basic Plan for Nuclear-Powered Submarine Development by month’s end. This comprehensive strategy is expected to detail the submarine’s missions, construction timeline, and fuel procurement plans.