Minister An Asks Acting U.S. Navy Secretary for Support on Nuclear Submarines

"Emphasizing That Nuclear Submarines Will Be a Milestone in Elevating the Alliance"

"South Korea is the Optimal Partner for Shipbuilding Cooperation with the U.S."

An Gyu-baek, Minister of National Defense, who is currently visiting the United States, met with the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Navy and requested support for South Korea's introduction of nuclear-powered submarines.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on May 13, Minister An met with Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy, in Washington, D.C. on the morning of May 12 (local time) and discussed key alliance issues.

Minister An emphasized that South Korea’s introduction of nuclear-powered submarines would contribute to enhancing the joint security interests of the Republic of Korea and the United States and serve as an important milestone in elevating the ROK-U.S. alliance. He requested active support from the Department of the Navy. He also stressed that South Korea not only possesses outstanding productivity in shipbuilding, but has also established a legal basis for investment in the United States through the enactment of a special law for U.S. investment, making it the optimal partner for shipbuilding cooperation with the U.S. According to the Ministry of National Defense, both ministers agreed to continue close cooperation between the two countries going forward.

The U.S. Department of Defense oversees the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force, with the Department of the Navy having jurisdiction over the Navy and Marine Corps. Last year, the leaders of South Korea and the United States agreed in a joint factsheet to cooperate on the construction of nuclear-powered submarines for South Korea. However, follow-up negotiations have stalled due to delays in South Korea’s implementation of U.S. investment and the negative fallout from issues such as Coupang.

During his trip, Minister An also met with U.S. congressional figures, including Senator Roger Wicker, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the committee, and Senator Rick Scott, Chair of the Subcommittee on Seapower, to discuss alliance issues such as the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON). He outlined South Korea’s determination and efforts to play a leading role in the defense of the Korean Peninsula and stressed the importance of maintaining a combined defense posture on the peninsula. He also requested congressional support for the transfer of OPCON and the construction of nuclear-powered submarines. The members of Congress expressed their agreement on the importance of the ROK-U.S. alliance and reaffirmed that Congress would continue to play its necessary role to further strengthen the alliance.

In addition, on May 11, Minister An visited Arlington National Cemetery, and on May 12, he paid tribute at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. This is Minister An’s first visit to the United States since taking office. On May 11, he also met with Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, to discuss issues including the transfer of OPCON and South Korea’s contribution to the resumption of passage through the Strait of Hormuz.