US delegation's visit to Korea for nuclear sub talks further delayed by Iran crisis

A planned visit by a U.S. delegation to Seoul for high-stakes security talks has been delayed as Washington grapples with escalating tensions in the Middle East, a setback that could slow negotiations over Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines and secure broader rights to nuclear fuel.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tuesday, the U.S. side has yet to provide specific dates for the trip, which had been expected in late February or early March.

The delay comes as U.S. officials focus on the fallout from Saturday's joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran, which included the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran immediately vowed retaliation, raising the prospect of a broader regional conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is not ruling out further military action, including the possible deployment of American troops, according to U.S. media reports.

The postponement has complicated matters for officials in Seoul, where security negotiations have become a priority following agreements reached at an October summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Trump.

During the meeting, Trump granted approval for Korea to pursue nuclear-powered submarines and to expand its authority over uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.

In January, as a follow-up measure, relevant ministries established a pangovernment task force on nuclear energy negotiations with the U.S., led by Rim Kap-soo, a senior foreign ministry official.

A separate interagency task force on nuclear submarines — led by the Ministry of National Defense and involving officials from the foreign and finance ministries as well as the military — was launched last December.

However, uncertainty over the U.S. delegation's schedule has slowed momentum. Washington has yet to formally announce the composition of its negotiating team, though it is expected to include officials from the National Security Council and the departments of State, Energy and Defense.

"The timing of the U.S. delegation's visit has not yet been finalized, and consultations are ongoing," a foreign ministry official said on condition of anonymity. "But when the two sides meet, we aim for substantive and detailed discussions from the outset. Both governments have been coordinating to ensure their delegations are fully prepared."

Diplomatic sources said Seoul is reviewing whether to send its own delegation to Washington first if the U.S. visit is further postponed.

Meanwhile, domestic factors in Seoul are also adding uncertainty to the talks.

The National Assembly's plan to pass special legislation related to Korea's $350 billion investment package for the U.S. appears to be facing delays. Although lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea have formed a special committee aimed at expediting the bill's passage by Monday, partisan disputes have slowed progress.

While passage of the bill is not a formal precondition for the security talks, U.S. officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of investment implementation.

Responding to those concerns, Seoul officials recently expressed hopes that Washington would take into account the government's efforts to pass the investment bill.

A coalition of six major business associations on Tuesday called for the swift passage of the bill.

"Delays in passage of the bill could undermine Korea's leverage in negotiations with the U.S. and weaken industrial competitiveness," the coalition said in a statement, urging the National Assembly to pass the legislation within the remaining term of the special committee.