South Korea Officially Commits to Developing Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines

Summary

South Korea has formally unveiled its national strategic plan to develop nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), known as the "Jang Bogo-N" project, with the goal of launching its first vessel in the mid-2030s and commissioning it by the late 2030s. The initiative is driven by four key motivations: countering North Korea's growing submarine-based nuclear threats, strengthening military cooperation with the United States, elevating South Korea's international defense standing, and providing an alternative to domestic pressure for acquiring nuclear weapons. The submarines, expected to displace approximately 8,000 tons and comparable in size to the U.S. Virginia class, will be built domestically using low-enriched uranium reactors, creating over 40,000 jobs and leveraging South Korea's world-class shipbuilding and nuclear energy industries. A critical challenge will be navigating international nuclear nonproliferation regulations and securing uranium fuel, with South Korea and the United States expected to establish a joint working group in early June to address these issues. Analysts note that the program could trigger a regional ripple effect, as Japan may respond by pursuing its own nuclear-powered submarines, requiring careful diplomatic coordination between Seoul and Tokyo.