Top security adviser to discuss with US about Korea's push to build nuclear-powered subs
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac answers reporters' questions before departing for Washington at Incheon International Airport, Tuesday. Yonhap
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Tuesday that he plans to discuss with U.S. counterparts about South Korea's push to build nuclear-powered submarines and other follow-up measures to the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in late October.
Wi made the remarks as he was set to depart for Washington, adding that the agenda on his visit to the United States also included Seoul's drive to secure uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing capabilities.
The trip comes about a month after the allies released a joint fact sheet outlining trade and security agreements reached during the second Lee-Trump summit in South Korea's southeastern city of Gyeongju on Oct. 29, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
With regard to the U.S. approval for South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines, Wi said he "plans to discuss how the U.S. side is being prepared."
"There are issues related to (U.S.) Congress to push for nuclear-powered submarines, so I will look at those issues as well," Wi told reporters.
"I think it is time to give fresh momentum to working-level consultations on the agreements from the Korea-U.S. summit," Wi said. "We will share the preparations and developments we have made so far and assess where the two sides should head next."
The presidential National Security Office in Seoul has formed three task force teams to prepare consultations on South Korea's push to develop nuclear-powered submarines, secure uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities, and coordinate on defense budget matters.
Wi also said he plans to hold consultations with U.S. officials on peace on the Korean Peninsula and ways to resume dialogue with North Korea.
During their two summits, Lee expressed hope that Trump would play a "peacemaker" role on the peninsula, while suggesting South Korea act as a "pacemaker" to support those efforts.
"We will have detailed consultations on how to coordinate these roles and the direction going forward," he said. "Through that process, we hope to explore ways to bring North Korea back to the talks and the process of ease tensions."
His trip comes after the White House recently released a new National Security Strategy that makes no mention of North Korea, raising questions in Seoul about whether the issue may be receiving less attention under the Trump administration.
Both Lee and Trump have expressed their desire to resume dialogue with Pyongyang, but it remains uncertain whether the North would respond to dialogue overtures.