South Korea has confirmed plans to domestically build its first nuclear-powered submarines, with the lead vessel expected to enter service in the mid-2030s. The move follows long-standing efforts by Seoul to strengthen deterrence against North Korea’s expanding military and missile capabilities. Recent US approval for uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing under a new security and trade agreement has cleared a major obstacle that previously restricted the program. South Korea intends to manage the nuclear fuel process under international non-proliferation commitments while leveraging its advanced civilian nuclear industry to support submarine construction and sustainment.
