US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has authorized South Korea to construct a nuclear-powered submarine in the United States.
This announcement coincides with Trump’s visit to South Korea, where he met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
Trump’s declaration also precedes his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as China currently possesses nuclear submarines.
“I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.
He specified that the submarine would be built in Philadelphia.
“Shipbuilding in our Country will soon be making a BIG COMEBACK,” Trump added.
Reports indicate that South Korea’s president requested Trump to “make a decision to allow us to receive fuel for nuclear-propelled submarines.”
The development of such submarines would enhance South Korea’s ability to monitor North Korean and Chinese vessels over extended periods.
“We are not proposing to build submarines armed with nuclear weapons; rather, diesel submarines have inferior submerged endurance, which limits our ability to track North Korean or Chinese submarines,” Lee explained to Trump.
Nuclear submarine technology is considered one of the most sensitive and closely guarded technologies in the United States.
No specific details regarding the project’s size or cost were provided. During discussions with Trump, South Korea disclosed its commitment of $150 billion (€130 billion) to bolster America’s shipbuilding capacity.
