According to reports, the defense ministry is actively advocating for the enactment of a specific law that would facilitate the implementation of nuclear-powered submarines. This comes after the US granted permission to South Korea to acquire fuel for such submarines.
The ministry has initiated a research project on the special law as a component of their comprehensive plan, with the intention of commencing legislative procedures for the law in the first half of the timeline, according to reports.
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Due to the significant financial investment and extensive coordination across government agencies necessary to construct a nuclear-powered submarine, it is deemed essential to enact specific legislation to establish the legal framework for developing appropriate safety and operational protocols for utilizing nuclear power in these submarines.
Once the legislation is enacted, it is anticipated that a specialized law will facilitate the creation of a dedicated government task force with the responsibility of implementing nuclear-powered submarines.
According to reports, it has been suggested that a unique legislation is required to establish protocols and other measures specifically tailored for the procurement process of nuclear-powered submarines, as the current defense acquisition program act and nuclear safety act do not contain provisions for such requirements.
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Last year in November, following summit discussions between Korea and the US, Washington officially sanctioned Seoul's initiative to construct nuclear-powered submarines and expressed backing for South Korea's efforts to acquire uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing capabilities, as delineated in a collaborative fact sheet.
The Defense Minister, Ahn Gyu-back, engaged in discussions with Abdullah bin Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi Minister of the National Guard, to explore opportunities for enhancing their partnership in the defense and arms sector, as announced by the defense ministry.
The meeting occurred during the World Defense Show, a significant defense exhibition happening in Riyadh. In reaction, the Saudi minister advocated for the enhancement of defense collaboration in various aspects such as personnel interchange and military training, while also emphasizing the need to bolster the existing cooperation in the field of arms manufacturing, as reported by the ministry.
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Ahn engaged with representatives from small and medium-sized Korean companies present at the defense exhibition and promised to implement supportive initiatives to enhance their export capabilities, including reinforcing their position.