US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that the US will provide complete backing for South Korea's initiative to develop nuclear-powered submarines, thus reiterating President Donald Trump's earlier endorsement of the plan.
Hegseth stated during a joint press conference following the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Seoul, alongside Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, that President Trump had approved this significant development and that as defense officials, they would actively and fully support it.
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Hegseth, also referred to as the secretary of war by his government, made these remarks after President Trump announced on social media the previous week, following a summit with President Lee Jae Myung, that he had sanctioned South Korea's construction of a nuclear submarine.
Trump also indicated that the submarine would be constructed at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard in the US. Washington's approval was essential under the bilateral nuclear energy agreement, as South Korea is restricted from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel or employing it for military purposes without American consent. Hegseth expressed his belief that the nuclear submarine program would bolster both South Korea's national defense capabilities and the alliance between the two countries.
This commitment from the secretary represents a significant advancement of a long-desired and politically sensitive military objective for Seoul, as well as a notable alteration in US policy regarding the transfer of nuclear naval technology.
For South Korea, this development could substantially enhance its capacity to deter North Korean aggression and counter Pyongyang's submarine forces. It might also raise concerns in Beijing and Moscow about a potential regional arms race. While avoiding specific technical details, Hegseth mentioned that future discussions would proceed in a constructive manner, with both governments confident in achieving favorable outcomes through ongoing consultations.
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The secretary also mentioned advancements in expanding the alliance's defense industry collaboration. “There will never be nuclear weapons development in South Korea,” he said.
“Korea is a member of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which prohibits us from possessing nuclear arms. The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains an unwavering commitment.”
When asked if Seoul sought the redeployment of US tactical nuclear weapons to the peninsula, Ahn responded, “Since South Korea cannot possess nuclear weapons, the Combined Nuclear Integration (CNI) system was established to integrate the US’ nuclear capabilities with South Korea’s conventional forces.”
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Ahn said the meeting reaffirmed “the solid military alliance and combined defense posture” between the two countries.