South Korea and United States Advance Stand‑Alone Nuclear Submarine Agreement, Target Early 2026 Talks
Updated (2 articles)
Wi Sung‑lac Announces Stand‑Alone Submarine Pact After Diplomatic Tour South Korea’s National Security Adviser Wi Sung‑lac declared on Dec 24, 2025 that Seoul and Washington will pursue a stand‑alone agreement on nuclear‑powered submarine cooperation following his week‑long trip to the United States, Canada and Japan where he met senior U.S. officials in Washington [1]. The announcement builds on a joint fact sheet released after the Lee Jae‑Myung–Trump summit at the APEC gathering in Gyeongju [1]. Wi emphasized that the separate pact aims to streamline submarine collaboration outside broader security frameworks [1].
Agreement Seeks U.S. Section 91 Exemption for Nuclear Material Transfer The proposed pact is designed to secure a U.S. exemption under Section 91 of the Atomic Energy Act, which currently bans transfers of nuclear materials for military use [1]. By signing a distinct agreement, Seoul hopes the U.S. president can authorize the transfer of low‑enriched uranium needed for its future submarines [1]. The approach mirrors Australia’s separate arrangement with Washington under the AUKUS partnership [1].
South Korea Will Import Low‑Enriched Uranium Below 20 % Wi clarified that South Korea will source low‑enriched uranium (LEU) with enrichment levels below 20 percent to fuel the submarines, explicitly ruling out highly enriched uranium [1]. Under the existing bilateral nuclear accord, South Korea is prohibited from domestic enrichment and must import all LEU [1]. This sourcing strategy aligns with non‑proliferation commitments while enabling the submarine program [1].
U.S. Working‑Level Delegation Planned for Early 2026 U.S. working‑level delegation is scheduled to travel to Seoul early next year to discuss implementation details of the stand‑alone agreement [1]. The visit will address technical, legal and logistical aspects of nuclear material transfers and submarine cooperation [1]. Wi also used the diplomatic tour to coordinate with Canada and Japan on regional security and to discuss Korea’s shipbuilding role in Canada’s submarine program [1].
Timeline
2025 (APEC summit, Gyeongju) – Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Trump issue a joint fact sheet that outlines cooperation on nuclear‑powered submarines, creating the diplomatic foundation for a future stand‑alone pact between Seoul and Washington [1].
2025 (Australia AUKUS precedent) – Australia signs a separate bilateral agreement with the United States under Section 91 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act to obtain a waiver for its nuclear‑powered submarine program, a model Seoul cites in its own negotiations [2].
Dec 16, 2025 – National Security Adviser Wi Sung‑lac arrives in Washington and says, “I will explore a separate bilateral agreement with Washington to enable Seoul’s push for nuclear‑powered submarines,” citing the Australian Section 91 exemption and noting that South Korea remains barred from using nuclear material for military purposes under its civil nuclear pact [2].
Dec 24, 2025 – Wi announces that South Korea and the United States “are moving to pursue a stand‑alone agreement on cooperation for nuclear‑powered submarines,” adding that “Seoul is seeking a U.S. exemption … which would allow the U.S. president to authorize transfers,” and confirms Korea will import low‑enriched uranium below 20 % enrichment while excluding highly enriched uranium [1].
Early 2026 (planned) – A working‑level U.S. delegation is scheduled to travel to Seoul to discuss implementation of the stand‑alone submarine agreement, advance related security cooperation, and coordinate on Korea’s shipbuilding role in Canada’s submarine program and an upcoming summit between President Lee and Japan’s prime minister [1].