China Uncomfortable with Korea's Nuclear Submarine Introduction... "Lee Must Work to Manage Korea-China Tensions" [Gyeongju APEC]

President Lee Jaemyung reached an agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump on the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines during the Korea-U.S. summit, while China issued a principled statement urging the fulfillment of "nuclear non-proliferation obligations." Although China appears to be moderating its tone ahead of the Korea-China summit, it is also expressing discomfort with the introduction of nuclear submarines.

President Lee Jae-myung is welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping, who attended the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held at Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO) on the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News

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Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented at a regular press briefing on the 30th regarding South Korea's plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, stating, "China hopes that South Korea and the United States will faithfully fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation obligations and work to promote regional peace and stability."

Guo's remarks on this day were limited to reiterating China's principled stance on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, emphasizing the fulfillment of nuclear non-proliferation obligations and the promotion of regional peace and stability. As Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Korea for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju and hold a Korea-China summit on November 1, it is interpreted as an effort to moderate the rhetoric.

However, given the intensifying U.S. containment of China, China is clearly uncomfortable with the situation. President Lee also told President Trump on the 29th, "If we build several submarines equipped with conventional weapons and conduct maritime defense operations in both the East and West Seas of the Korean Peninsula, the burden on U.S. forces will be significantly reduced."

When Australia officially announced its plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS summit in 2023 as part of its efforts to counter China, China strongly protested, stating that it "poses a serious risk of nuclear proliferation and violates the objectives and purposes of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)." Japan is also likely to accelerate its own efforts to acquire nuclear-powered submarines in light of the outcome of this Korea-U.S. summit.

Kim Heungkyu, professor of political science and diplomacy at Ajou University and director of the Institute of China-US Policy, said, "With China having made its 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth' stance clear, South Korea has moved closer to the U.S.-led containment framework against China, increasing the likelihood of regional instability. However, fortunately, President Xi's visit to Korea has provided grounds for President Lee to visit China in the future, so efforts should be made to manage potential conflicts going forward."

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