In brief
During a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Trump revealed plans for the U.S. to share advanced nuclear submarine technology with South Korea as part of efforts to modernize their military alliance. Lee clarified the South Korean request was for nuclear fuel rather than weapons. This move comes amid increasing security threats in the region, including North Korea's advancements in military technology.
GYEONGJU, South Korea (AP) — The United States will share closely held technology to allow South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine, President Donald Trump said on social media Thursday after meeting with the country’s president.President Lee Jae Myung stressed to Trump in their Wednesday meeting that the goal was to modernize the alliance with the U.S., noting plans to increase military spending to reduce the financial burden on America. The South Korean leader said there might have been a misunderstanding when they last spoke in August about nuclear-powered submarines, saying that his government was looking for nuclear fuel rather than weapons.Lee indicated that equipping South Korea with nuclear-powered submarines could help U.S. operations in the region. U.S. nuclear submarine technology is considered highly sensitive, with the U.S. traditionally protective of such knowledge. Recent collaboration with the U.K. and Australia on submarine technology does not include direct technology transfer from the U.S.Trump's announcement arrives just before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as North Korea recently showcased its developing military capabilities, including a nuclear-powered submarine. This poses a significant security concern for South Korea and the U.S.As Trump visited South Korea, North Korea conducted successful cruise missile tests, further emphasizing the military challenges faced in the region. The Pentagon has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the specifics of Trump’s commitment to share nuclear submarine technology.
