Seoul will build nuclear submarines. The Koreans have the consent of the US

The United States has given South Korea formal consent to build nuclear-powered submarines, according to a statement released by the White House. The US is also to support the South Korean uranium enrichment program, and South Korea. invest in the American shipbuilding industry.

The summary of agreements with Seoul published by the White House confirms the arrangements concluded during President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea at the end of October. Trump then announced that he had agreed to allow South Korea to build nuclear-powered ships, as President Li Jae Mjung had publicly requested. The American leader claimed that they could be built at the shipyard in Philadelphia, but this was not mentioned in the published document.

“Pursuant to Bilateral Agreement 123 and subject to U.S. legal requirements, the United States supports a process that will lead to civilian uranium enrichment and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel in the Republic of Korea for peaceful purposes,” it said in one of the bullet points. “The United States has approved the construction of nuclear-powered submarines by the Republic of Korea. The United States will work closely with the Republic of Korea to meet the requirements for this shipbuilding project, including fuel procurement,” reads another.

According to the agreement, South Korea, one of the largest ship producers in the world, committed to investing USD 150 billion in the expansion of the American shipbuilding industry and investing USD 200 billion for other “strategic” goals.

So far, only six countries have nuclear ships: the US, Russia, Great Britain, France, China and India. Australia is also planning to acquire such units. Although South Korea has long sought to build its own, but was hindered by Washington's lack of consent to supply Korea with enriched uranium needed to fuel its reactors. Seeking Trump's consent, President Li argued that it would “significantly reduce the burden on American forces” and make it easier to track Chinese and North Korean ships.

From Washington Oskar Górzyński (PAP)

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