South Korea and the US held the first meeting of their security consultation group in Seoul, focusing on nuclear cooperation and the acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine. The talks aim to advance the nuclear cooperation framework agreed upon by the two presidents.
President Lee Jae Myung accelerates South Korea's plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines amid North Korea's growing threats, also seeking to regain wartime OPCON from the U.S.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered officials to speed up the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines to bolster self-defense against North Korean threats. He also emphasized the need for the swift transfer of wartime operational control of troops from the US to Seoul.
South Korea plans to unveil a road map for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, despite stalled follow-up negotiations with the US after October's summit agreement, seeking to accelerate the project amid strategic and industrial interests.
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back requests U.S. Navy support for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, citing shared security interests and strong shipbuilding capabilities, as part of a joint summit agreement.
