South Korea Eyes Standalone US Deal to Build Nuclear Submarines
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South Korea may need to pursue a separate bilateral accord with the US to secure the right to build nuclear-powered submarines, the country’s national security adviser said as he prepares to meet with senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — South Korea may need to pursue a separate bilateral accord with the US to secure the right to build nuclear-powered submarines, the country’s national security adviser said as he prepares to meet with senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Speaking to reporters after arriving in the US, Wi Sung-lac pointed to Australia as a precedent, noting that Canberra had obtained an exemption under Section 91 of the US Atomic Energy Act through a standalone agreement with Washington. That allowed Canberra to sign the Aukus accord with the US and UK in 2021.Under that deal, Australia is set to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. Section 91 allows the US president to authorize the transfer of military nuclear materials, a mechanism Seoul sees as a possible way to navigate restrictions embedded in its existing civilian nuclear cooperation pact with the US, Wi said.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.The adviser said his visit would focus on accelerating the implementation of commitments outlined in the joint fact sheet released after President Lee Jae Myung’s summit with Donald Trump in late October, including cooperation on enriched uranium, spent-fuel reprocessing and nuclear-powered submarines.Asked whether his meetings would also address the prospect of reviving dialogue with North Korea, Wi said he plans to exchange views on the broader regional situation and consult with the United Nations. He added that the current strength of the US–Korea alliance presents “an opportunity,” highlighting the need for close coordination with Washington in managing ties with Pyongyang.In addition to his meeting with Rubio, Wi is set to have talks with Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other senior officials from the White House and State Department before returning to Seoul. “To give the issue the political weight it needs, high-level talks are important,” Wi said in on-camera remarks to reporters. “Ultimately, progress will be much quicker when the presidential office and the White House are directly involved.”Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4© 2025 Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can manage saved articles in your account.and save up to 100 articles!You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.