GYEONGJU, South Korea (FluxDaily) — In a significant advancement for military collaboration, President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States will share its closely guarded nuclear submarine technology with South Korea. This decision emerged during a recent meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
During their discussions, President Lee expressed the need to modernize the defense alliance with the U.S., which includes plans for increased military spending to alleviate financial burdens on American forces stationed in the region. He clarified that South Korea seeks nuclear fuel for its submarines solely for peaceful purposes, not for weapons manufacturing.
Lee asserted that equipping South Korea with nuclear-powered submarines would bolster U.S. military operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
The transfer of U.S. nuclear submarine technology is considered exceptionally sensitive, with the military typically protective of such information. Past international agreements for submarine technology, such as the AUKUS pact with the UK and Australia, did not include direct knowledge transfers from the U.S.
This announcement precedes Trump's forthcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. As North Korea recently showcased its own nuclear-powered submarine under construction, the situation remains tense, influencing U.S. and South Korean security strategies.
Defense experts emphasize that South Korea's potential nuclear submarine capabilities would significantly alter the strategic dynamics in the region, particularly in the face of North Korea's advanced military arsenal.
Pentagon officials have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the implications of this technology transfer and its potential impact on regional security.
