South Korea pushes to build 1st nuclear-powered submarine by mid-2030s

President Lee Jae Myung listens to Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back present the government’s basic plan for the development of a nuclear-powered submarine during the inaugural meeting of the Future Defense Strategy Committee in Jinhae District, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Yonhap

Korea is seeking to build its first nuclear-powered submarine by mid-2030s, the government said Tuesday, adding that construction will be done domestically.

It also pledged to use low-enriched uranium fuel and comply with international nonproliferation obligations.

The Ministry of National Defense announced the country's first road map for the development of nuclear submarines, laying out the government’s approach to developing and acquiring the platform and publicly presenting the framework for the project.

“This is the first official road map outlining how Korea will systemically develop and acquire a nuclear-powered submarine capability,” Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said while presenting the plan during the inaugural meeting of the Future Defense Strategy Committee held at the submarine command at Jinhae in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.

The plan comes after an agreement reached during a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump last October, when Washington expressed support for Seoul's development of a nuclear submarine and its pursuit of civilian uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful purposes.

Under the road map, the government set a goal of launching its first nuclear submarine in the mid-2030s and deploying it in the late 2030s.

Ahn said the submarine would offer significantly enhanced operational capabilities compared with conventional diesel-powered submarines due to its longer underwater endurance and greater mobility.

The ministry also said that shipbuilding will be done domestically, rather than at a U.S. shipyard, in an effort to secure self-reliance in acquisition, maintenance and long-term operations.

“This is not simply a shipbuilding project but a national strategic project,” Ahn said, emphasizing that the program will require the combined capabilities of Korea’s nuclear and shipbuilding sectors.

It will be able to take advantage of Korea’s top-class civilian nuclear and shipbuilding technologies and manage the project across the vessel’s entire life cycle, from design and construction to operation, maintenance and decommissioning.

Seoul said the submarines will use low-enriched uranium fuel and long-cycle reactor operations to minimize refueling requirements. Officials said the approach is intended to improve operational endurance while remaining within nonproliferation boundaries.

The ministry separately emphasized that the project will comply with international nonproliferation obligations, apparently seeking to distinguish the initiative from any nuclear weapons ambitions.

It reaffirmed that Korea would neither possess nor develop nuclear weapons and said Seoul will work closely with Washington on the procurement and management of low-enriched uranium fuel.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back briefs President Lee Jae Myung on the early recovery of wartime operational control during the inaugural meeting of the Future Defense Strategy Committee chaired by Lee in Jinhae District, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Yonhap

The government also pledged to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency to establish safeguards applicable to nuclear submarines.

The government named the initiative the Jangbogo N project, with “N” standing for “next generation” and “nuclear-powered.”

According to Cheong Wa Dae, the road map was finalized after about seven months of consultations led by the defense ministry with relevant agencies.

The announcement comes as Seoul places greater emphasis on strengthening strategic capabilities amid rising global security uncertainties.

Seoul and Washington are also preparing follow-up working-level talks.

The two sides are expected to launch a bilateral working group next month to discuss cooperation on nuclear submarines and nuclear energy issues, including fuel-related matters and revisions linked to nuclear cooperation arrangements.

Discussions on acquisition procedures are also believed to be underway within the military, though authorities have not publicly confirmed specific timelines or processes.

During the committee meeting, Lee said, “A nuclear-powered submarine built on the foundation of the strong Korea-U.S. alliance is a symbol of our determination to take responsibility for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula ourselves ... It will also contribute significantly to strengthening Korea’s defense industry capabilities.”

Lee also described the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul as “a key element of self-reliant defense” and said Seoul and Washington would work closely to establish a detailed road map, including the timing of the transition.