No decision yet on using Philadelphia shipyard for nuclear sub project: Seoul
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Potential dispute looms between Korea, US over construction location
No specific details have been discussed with the United States regarding Korea's plan to develop a nuclear-powered submarine, including whether it will be built at a U.S. shipyard, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Wednesday.
The defense minister's comments stand in contrast with U.S. President Donald Trump's earlier announcement that the vessel would be constructed at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, which is owned by Korea's Hanwha Ocean. Ahn also implied his support for the submarine to be built here, signaling a potential dispute between the two nations over where to construct it.
His comments came after the United States granted Korea an unprecedented green light to develop nuclear submarines, after a summit last week between President Lee Jae Myung and Trump on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.
"In the negotiations (with the U.S.), such details were not settled, as we discussed only the general principles. There was no mention of which shipyard would be involved," Ahn told lawmakers during a parliamentary session.
In response to a question by Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the main opposition People Power Party if it would be appropriate to build the submarine here, Ahn said, “I believe so, because we’ve had more than 30 years of technology and research."
He said Hanwha Philly Shipyard currently lacks the necessary technology, workforce and infrastructure to build a nuclear submarine. "This is something the governments of the two nations should discuss closely."
In response to concerns that the submarine project could face political hurdles in Washington as it requires U.S. Congress approval, Ahn said, "Since Trump has been leading this initiative with firm leadership, I don't see major issues in working out the broader framework."
President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of a special dinner during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Oct. 29. AFP-Yonhap
Ahn's remarks suggest that Seoul and Washington may be at loggerheads over where to build the nation's first nuclear submarine.
On Oct. 30, a day after his summit with Lee, Trump wrote on social media, “South Korea will be building its Nuclear Powered Submarine in the Philadelphia Shipyards, right here in the good ol’ U.S.A. Shipbuilding in our country will soon be making a BIG COMEBACK.”
Trump's announcement followed Lee's request for U.S. approval to supply fuel for the submarine project. The U.S. president's approval was a game changer, as Korea is prohibited under a bilateral nuclear agreement from enriching uranium or reprocessing spent fuel for military purposes without Washington's consent.
However, concerns remain in Seoul that Washington's focus may be more on reviving its own shipbuilding industry than advancing Korea's defense ambitions. The issue of where the submarine should be built appears to be a key sticking point that may be delaying a formal announcement.
Yu said that building the submarine at the Philadelphia shipyard, which lacks necessary facilities, would only delay the project's timeline.
"It would realistically take at least five to 10 years just to establish the required infrastructure at the Philadelphia shipyard," he said during a radio interview Wednesday, noting that he visited the site in September.
"Given the decades of investment and the capabilities we have accumulated, it makes sense for Korea to build the submarine domestically. Our government should persuade the U.S. side to allow construction to take place at our shipyard."