Calls for South Korea to Possess 'Nuclear Submarines' Amid North Korea's Nuclear Attack Submarine Construction

Taeyoungho "North Korea's Nuclear Threat Extends to the Sea"
Ahn Cheolsu "Must Secure Nuclear Submarine Assurance Like Australia"

As North Korea has built its first tactical nuclear attack submarine and announced plans to develop a nuclear-powered submarine, voices have emerged in the political sphere calling for South Korea to also possess nuclear-powered submarines. Although there are consistent calls within the ruling party emphasizing the necessity of nuclear-powered submarines, the feasibility remains uncertain as it requires amending the nuclear cooperation agreement and obtaining U.S. consent.

On the 8th, Tae Yong-ho, a member of the People Power Party and former North Korean diplomat, stated on his social media (SNS), "With Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, launching a tactical nuclear attack submarine, North Korea's nuclear threat is shifting to the sea," adding, "In this reality where North Korea's nuclear threat is moving to the sea, we must strengthen South Korea-U.S.-Japan military cooperation and push for the possession of nuclear-powered submarines."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency announced that it had built the first tactical nuclear attack submarine capable of underwater nuclear attacks, named the 'Kim Gun-ok Hero Submarine,' earlier that morning. At the launching ceremony held on the 6th, attended by General Secretary Kim, he described it as "our formidable power that terrifies shameless enemies," and revealed plans to soon build a nuclear-powered submarine as well.

Experts evaluate that if a nuclear-powered submarine is built, it could become a 'game changer' that fundamentally shakes North Korea-U.S. relations. This is because such a submarine would have the capability to launch submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) near the U.S. mainland while submerged, thereby possessing the ability to strike the U.S. mainland.

Tae is not the only one advocating for the necessity of nuclear-powered submarines. Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee from the People Power Party, posted on his SNS ahead of the April South Korea-U.S. summit, stating, "We must amend the nuclear cooperation agreement to obtain the authority for nuclear reprocessing like Japan, and to respond to North Korea’s submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), we should secure a commitment for nuclear-powered submarines like Australia and realize intelligence sharing at the level of the 'Five Eyes' alliance." In June, a seminar titled "Korean-style Nuclear Deterrence Strategy and the Necessity of Nuclear-Powered Submarines" was held, hosted by the office of Choi Jae-hyung, also of the People Power Party, marking the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

However, the problem lies in the fact that upgrading the nuclear cooperation agreement to Japan’s level or developing nuclear-powered submarines requires U.S. consent. It is known that the Roh Moo-hyun administration previously attempted to develop a Korean-style nuclear-powered submarine under the project name '362 Project,' but it was abandoned. Similarly, the Moon Jae-in administration, which pledged to develop nuclear-powered submarines, saw the plan fizzle out due to U.S. opposition.

While the U.S. has supplied nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, a member of the security alliance AUKUS, it currently has no plans to share this technology with South Korea. Anthony R. Wier, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, reportedly told the State Department Foreign Press Center in March that when asked if there was a possibility of allowing South Korea to have nuclear submarines, "There is no intention to share additional nuclear propulsion technology," according to Voice of America (VOA).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.