South Korea approves acquisition strategy for nuclear submarine programme

DAPA said the submarines would, "strengthen deterrence against security threats such as North Korea's nuclear and missile programs."

The planned fuel is low-enriched uranium, but South Korea and the United States have not concluded arrangements to supply it for naval propulsion.

The first bilateral negotiating meeting took place in June, and a second round had not been scheduled when the approval was announced.

A defence ministry official said a separate agreement under Section 91 of the US Atomic Energy Act, following the AUKUS precedent, could be used rather than amending the existing civil nuclear agreement. Asked whether a contract could be signed before the US talks conclude, DAPA said the matter would require policy and political judgement.

The ministry announced the programme's basic development plan in May. In July, it issued a draft special act addressing submarine procurement, service and nuclear safety oversight, which it aims to see enacted before the end of 2026.