South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back attends a press conference for South Korean correspondents at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, DC, USA, 12 May 2026 (issued 13 May 2026). Photo by YONHAP / EPA
May 15 (Asia Today) — South Korea may announce a basic plan for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines as early as this month, officials and diplomatic sources said Friday.
According to foreign policy and security sources, the government is preparing a “Korean nuclear-powered submarine basic plan” that would outline its core principles and a timeline for acquisition.
A Defense Ministry official said the plan is being developed in coordination with relevant agencies but said the exact schedule could not be confirmed.
The official also said it has not been decided whether the Defense Ministry will lead the announcement.
Although no specific date has been set, some observers expect the plan could be released before the Shangri-La Dialogue, an Asian security forum scheduled to take place in Singapore later this month.
The plan is expected to include the defensive nature of the submarines, their missions and roles, a detailed timeline, fuel procurement and financing plans and South Korea’s commitment to complying with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
If announced, the plan would mark a formal declaration of the government’s intention to pursue nuclear-powered submarines.
A joint fact sheet released after a recent South Korea-U.S. summit said the United States had approved South Korea’s construction of nuclear-powered submarines and would work closely with Seoul, including on fuel procurement.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back recently visited the United States and discussed cooperation on nuclear-powered submarine construction with U.S. defense officials.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260515010004184