U.S. Approves South Korea's Nuclear Submarine Ambitions

On his trip to Asia, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on social media that South Korea has received approval to construct a nuclear-powered submarine. This announcement marks a significant shift in military capabilities for South Korea, which has been restricted from such developments without U.S. consent under existing agreements.

Trump's visit included meetings with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, where they agreed on substantial economic and trade arrangements. These include South Korea's plans to purchase large quantities of oil and gas from the U.S., reflecting a deepening energy collaboration between the two nations.

In addition to trade talks, discussions touched upon South Korea's desire to reprocess nuclear fuel for submarine use, a measure aimed at enhancing its naval capabilities and strategic reach against regional threats such as North Korea and China. With Trump's approval, South Korea is positioned to transition from diesel to more advanced nuclear technology in its submarine fleet.